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Catholic Education: “Ever Ancient, Ever New”
ARCHBISHOP
SALVATORE
CORDILEONE
Ihave noticed that those who work in Catholic schools are continually thinking about and discussing what is distinctive about a Catholic education. The social, academic and civic advantages of a Catholic education are well known, but Catholic schools are not distinctive because their graduates are successful. Their success, rather, is due to what is distinctive about the kind of education that Catholic schools provide.
The great fourth- and early fifth-century theologian St. Augustine of Hippo (354430) is perhaps best known for his spiritual masterpiece, “Confessions,” a work that is thankfully still read in many high school and university courses. In one of the timeless text’s most famous passages, Augustine describes God as “O Thou Beauty of ancient days, yet ever new!” (“Confessions,” Book X). St. Augustine finds in God not only the origin
of all of creation, but also the font of his continued source of joy and new life. Beauty ever ancient, ever new.
There is a tendency in many educational contexts to focus on utility and usefulness, sometimes framed as “college and career readiness.” Preparing young people for college and career are fine goals, to be sure, and Catholic schools excel in doing both. However, the reduction of education to usefulness will, in the end, render such an education useless. Today’s students will face challenges that their parents and teachers could not have anticipated. An education that tries to merely move with the times will always fall short because no human mind can anticipate each and every challenge and question that might arise. Such an education can only guess at which skills and concepts will benefit a student for the future. Today’s teachers and parents may feel ill-
equipped, for example, to guess at how exactly to prepare students for a world with artificial intelligence. But Catholic education is not a guessing game. It is founded on timeless truths about the human person that endure in every age. Because Catholic education emphasizes virtue over usefulness and forms the whole child in his or her capacity for truth, beauty and goodness, it forms young people for doing human things well, no matter the context or challenge. The educational questions raised by the advent of AI have less to do with how to use it and more to do with how to use it humanely and virtuously.
Put succinctly, a Catholic education is so useful because it does not put usefulness first. And yet, Catholic schools continue to form young people and to prepare them for a fruitful life, whatever their vocation might be and whatever new challenges they face. Catholic schools are successful because the formation they offer young people and families doesn’t fit neatly into the categories of the age, be they political or pedagogical. They are rooted in a tradition that does not simply move with the times and trends. This is not to say, of course, that Catholic schools are not on the cutting edge of learning and innovation. They must always be “alert to developments in the fields of child psychology ›
Outstanding students are admitted every year to Marin Catholic from each of our Catholic elementary schools. These students are well-rounded, faith-filled, and service-oriented. They excel in academics, arts, music, athletics, and more. It is on the solid foundation established in our parochial schools that we build our legacy at Marin Catholic.
Photo by Francisco Valdez
Robert Hadsell - St. Patrick, Yousef Naser - St. Isabella, Remi Dennis - St. Hilary, Daniela Melamed - Our Lady of Loretto, Suzie Cibrowski - St. Anselm, Kelvin Monterroso - St. Raphael
and pedagogy” (“The Catholic School,” 52). Pope Francis has described the importance of tradition for Catholic schools in order even to respond to what is new. The Holy Father explained, “Without roots, no progress can be made. …There is a need for this relationship with the roots, but also to move forward. And this is the true tradition: taking from the past to move forward. Tradition is not static: it is dynamic, aimed at moving forward” (Audience with the delegation of global researchers advancing Catholic education project, April 20, 2022).
Catholic education is timeless. It is ‘ever ancient, ever new’ because it has Christ as its ‘means and model.’”
Catholic education is timeless. It is “ever ancient, ever new” because it has Christ as its “means and model” (“Lay Catholics in Schools: Witness to Faith,” 18). Like a tree with deep roots, it bears new fruit year after year while holding firm no matter which way the winds blow. They can be at once on the cutting edge and invulnerable to the whims of passing trends and movements – “ever ancient, ever new.” This is a mark of their distinctiveness and the reason for their success. Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Catholic schools and to consider what sets a Catholic education apart. As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I invite you to join me in praying with thanks to God for Catholic schools and their families in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. May our schools continue, with the Lord’s grace, to excel in providing an education that is “ever ancient, ever new.” ■
Pius School has nurtured students’ minds and spirits, preparing
Fr. Tom Martin Pastor
Dr. Gavin T. Colvert Principal
Ms Leigh Masi Preschool Director
Photo by Dennis Callahan
How well do you know the Catholic faith?
The Ultimate Catholic Quiz by Catholic Answers’ founder, Karl
Keating.
Excerpted with permission and available for purchase from
There are no trick questions, but there are questions that will trip you up if you fail to read carefully. An answer is counted as wrong if any part of it — such as a date or name — is wrong. Your goal is not to find the answer that is least wrong, but the one answer that is wholly right, which may be “none of the above.” On average, most informed Catholics score 50%. How well did you do?
1. The sin of our First Parents was disobedience, and the root of their disobedience was which of the following?
a. lust
b. fear of the Lord
c. ambition
d. sloth
e. none of the above
2. How are angels organized into species?
a. According to Thomas Aquinas, all angels together form one species.
b. According to Albert the Great, each of the nine choirs of angels is a separate species.
c. According to Francisco Suarez, each angel forms a separate species.
d. According to Rodrigo Bellarmine, it makes no sense to refer to angels in terms of species because only plants and animals are categorized into species.
e. none of the above
3. Which sacraments can be received only once?
a. matrimony and baptism
b. anointing of the sick and holy orders
c. baptism, final vows and holy orders
d. confirmation, baptism and holy orders
e. none of the above
4. What is the Hypostatic Union?
a. the merging of Christ’s divine and human wills into a perfected human will
b. the existence in Christ of a perfect divine person and perfect human person
c. the union of the Second Person’s immaterial divine nature with Jesus’ human nature, making a single perfected nature
d. the union of the Western and Eastern Churches, destroyed at the Great Schism of 1054
e. none of the above
5. What is a miracle?
a. an occurrence that seems to contradict scientific laws but really does not
b. any unexplained occurrence that includes a spiritual element
c. an ancient explanation in lieu of modern scientific knowledge
d. a pious story that helps us understand religious truth without being true itself
e. none of the above
Answer highlights can be found on page 46
OPEN THIS QR CODE FOR COMPREHENSIVE ANSWERS or visit https://sfarchdiocese.org/ January-2025-catholic-quiz/
New has its advantages
BY CHRIS FISHER Superintendent of the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
Being new has its advantages. As the new superintendent, I have had the remarkable privilege of beginning to visit each Catholic school in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, introducing myself to all our principals, pastors, teachers and students. Each visit brings something new: new faces, new expressions of school pride and traditions, new student artwork lining the walls, new questions in each classroom (though our first graders are remarkably consistent in asking if, given my last name, I like to fish! One principal suggested I respond: “Yes — I am fisher of men!”).
At a deeply personal level, I have also been struck by the renewed spirit of hope and gratitude I experience after each school visit: renewed hope because each school visit brings me into an encounter with the beauty of Catholic education.
In each classroom, I have had the opportunity to meet teachers who are dedicated to their craft and to their students. These teachers do the important work of laying the foundations of lifelong learning, helping students from 5 to 18 exercise their God-given reason. In their classrooms, teachers encourage students to contemplate the mysteries of physics, to delight in new words that help them describe the world and to discover the great people and events of human history.
In one fourth grade class I asked the students to tell me their favorite Roman emperor; to my delight, I met several like-minded fans of Emperor Augustus. One particularly energetic eighth grade class had a robust debate diagnosing a patient whose symptoms they read as part of a story in a biology class. I told them that I didn’t need my doctor anymore, I just needed to visit their classroom!
Most of all, I’ve been blessed to encounter the very heart of the Church’s mission, witnessing students grow in the love of God. More often than I can recount, students have shared with me their favorite saints (Blessed Pier Giorgio
del Rio and St. Francis have been popular choices). One second grade student defined the word “martyr” for me: “someone who loves Jesus more than themselves.” I have met students who have memorized the Beatitudes and who strive to imitate Christ, who pray as teammates after athletic competitions, who wear with pride miraculous medals around their neck and recite the rosary with care and affection.
But most of all, I have been filled with hope each time I have had the chance to join students in the celebration of the Mass. Cantare amantis est, St. Augustine wrote — “only he who loves can sing.” There are few greater expressions of pure and sincere love of God than the voices of elementary school students singing hymns glorifying Christ, from eighth grade students to their first grade Mass buddies and everyone in between. To worship alongside students is to understand Christ’s words in the Gospels when He instructs His apostles to “let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’”
I have also been blessed with a renewed sense of gratitude each time I visit one of our schools from Marin to San Mateo. Gratitude for the
Frassati, Blessed Carlos Acutis, St. Jose Sanchez
opportunity to serve Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone in my vocation as a Catholic educator, helping school leaders and teachers to grow in their vocations as we advance the mission of the Church. Gratitude for the chance to meet so many people dedicated to helping form and indeed transform the lives of boys and girls, young men and women, as they grow intellectually, morally and spiritually as children of God. Gratitude for the warmth and hospitality with which this community has welcomed me. Gratitude for the chance to hear the sound of hope and joy in our students as they pray and learn and play. And gratitude for the great gift of Catholic education, which presents to students the Church’s beautiful intellectual, aesthetic and spiritual tradition – in the words of St. Augustine, a “beauty ever ancient, ever new.”
In this issue of Catholic San Francisco celebrating Catholic Schools Week, we explore new developments in Catholic education in our Archdiocese. We are proud to highlight to new academic programs in the Archdiocese, including a new Catholic independent high school, Nativity Academy of Arts and ›
Students participate in the ribbon cutting at the opening of Nativity High School.
Photo courtesy of Nativity High School
Students from TK-8 École Notre Dame des Victoires take up the gifts at Mass on Dec. 9, celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Sciences, which is dedicated to celebrating the richness of the Church’s intellectual and spiritual traditional; St. Brigid Academy’s new academic program specially designed for students with learning differences; and a new dual-language immersion program at St. Peter Schools, which offers students an opportunity to learn both English and Spanish.
We also explore the relationship between academic excellence and what St. Paul calls “the renewal of the mind”: the power of the true, the good, and the beautiful to transform lives of students. In particular, we consider the role of assessment and accreditation in assisting schools with continually renewing and advancing their academic programs.
And we proudly highlight the work of Catholic school students across the Archdiocese who bring the love of Christ to incarcerated individuals through a partnership with the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Restorative Justice Ministry called Cards of Mercy.
As we encounter that which is new in our schools, we remember that it is Christ who has made all things new, and who invites us in His grace to continually be “transformed by the renewal of our minds”—a renewal which is at the very heart of the mission of Catholic schools. ■
Photo by Francisco Valdez
New and notable school programs
BY CHRISTINA GRAY Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org
Three different Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of San Francisco introduced new programs at the start of the academic year designed to help better serve the needs of local families and the mission of Catholic education itself.
Nativity High School is the first and only Catholic high school within the city of San Francisco offering a classical curriculum. It welcomed its first ninth grade class last
fall in a building on the school and parish grounds of Star of the Sea Parish in the Richmond District. A few miles away in the Mission District, St. Peter School began a Dual Language Immersion Learning model, whereby students are taught half the day in English and the other half in Spanish. According to research, bilingual students outperform monolingual peers in many key academic areas. At the same time in Lower Pacific Heights, St. Brigid Academy, a Catholic school founded in 1888, transitioned to what is known as a microschool, specializing in students with learning differences such as dyslexia. Here’s what to know about each:
Dominican Brother Athanasius Thompson explains a mathematical equation to Nativity High School students. The new classical Catholic high school is in its first academic year.
Photo courtesy of Nativity High School
NATIVITY HIGH SCHOOL
Nativity high school joins Stella Maris Academy in San Francisco, The Chesterton Academy of St. James in Menlo Park, and Our Lady of the Pillar Academy in Half Moon Bay as schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco which are dedicated to the recovery of Catholic classical education. This fall, the first freshman class of Nativity High School commenced their studies on the third floor of a building housing Stella Maris Academy, the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s first classical Catholic pk-8 school. The private Catholic high school operating under the approval and auspices of the Archdiocese of San Francisco is the only Catholic school in San Francisco offering a classical curriculum, according to the head of school, Marisela O’Cochlain.
“It boiled down to us wanting to provide an alternate high school experience to students here in San Francisco,” said O’Cochlain. “Now, there is that opportunity for students who are currently in a classical curriculum in elementary school to continue that learning in a classical high school.” Students who have not been in a classical elementary curriculum also have that opportunity.
Nativity High School will add a new grade each academic year until it includes grades 9-12, she said.
Classical education has a long, rich history that started with Socrates and Plato more than 2,500 years ago, matured in the Middle Ages, and exists, in some form, in nearly every institution of higher learning in our country.
“At its core, a classical education sparks wonder,” said O’Cochlain. “Our most important job is to cultivate and nurture wonder in our students.”
The “Star of Wonder” that sparked the curiosity of the Wise Men in the Nativity story inspired the school, which incorporated it into its logo as a visual reminder of its central purpose.
The Nativity curriculum challenges students intellectually, develops their critical thinking skills, reveals their inner artistic talent and fosters growth in their relationship with God through the dual pursuits of faith and reason, according to nativityhs. org. Some characteristics of classical education include interdisciplinary study of history, literature and the arts, which fosters “a whole picture of the human story.” Science and theology are presented together to answer not only the “what, where, when and how,” but the “why.” Four years of foreign language education are required.
Current faculty includes six lay Catholic teachers with specialized experience in classical subjects, as well as a Dominican brother who teaches Latin and geometry. St. Dominic pastor Father Michael Hurley serves as student chaplain.
O’Cochlain is the 11th child in a family of 14 children of Mexican immigrants that made Catholic education a priority for their children. She worked for a decade for
a classical school in Southern California before helping found Stella Maris Academy in 2021.
“We are committed to making a Catholic classical education accessible to all students,” she said. Financial aid and two merit-based scholarships are available to Nativity High School each year, including the $10,000 Magi Award, and the Nativity Award, a four-year full tuition scholarship.
Visit nativityhs.org
ST. PETER SCHOOL
The majority of St. Peter School students speak Spanish at home, English in school. It’s an asset, according to principal Sandra Jimenez, and one of the reasons the Mission District school began the process of becoming a Dual Language Immersion school (DLI) at the start of the 2024/25 academic year.
The K-8 school is the first and only school within the Archdiocese of San Francisco to offer Dual Language Immersion in Spanish and English. It doesn’t mean simply sending Spanish-speaking students to English language classes, and English-speaking students to Spanish language classes; it means that instruction of all subjects is done in both languages.
“We decided to look at it as a gift, a blessing of our community,” she said, referring to St. Peter School’s large student body of English language learners. Many of the students who speak Spanish at home can also converse well in English. “But in writing and reading, they need more practice with that in order to develop academically.”
The Boston College Roche Center for Catholic ›
St. Peter School launched Dual Language Immersion learning at the beginning of the 2024/25 academic year. Students will be instructed in English half the day, Spanish the other half.
Photo courtesy of St. Peter School
The needs of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences are being met at St. Brigid Academy.
Education supports the TWIN-CS (Two-Way Immersion Network for Catholic Schools) and its 24 schools in 13 states, to which St. Peter’s belongs. It did a DLI feasibility study for St. Peter School that included surveys of school families and other research. “It concluded that DLI would be a very good thing here,” said Jimenez.
But why exactly is it a good thing? According to DLI research data available on the St. Peter School website, students enrolled in a DLI program academically outperform students in a monolingual program. English learners achieve higher levels of academic success than their peers in monolingual English schools. What’s more, English-proficient students achieve higher levels of second-language proficiency and – a surprise to some — higher mastery of their own native language.
Sociocultural competence is a not-insignificant bonus to high academic achievement and bilingual benefits in students. Multiculturalism is a valuable skill in an increasingly global world. Studying the culture and traditions of a language’s native speakers, students develop a broader perspective and respect for and empathy with people from different backgrounds than their own, according to the same research.
Though different models exist, the one St. Peter School is introducing is a 50/50 model, according to Jimenez. Students spend half the day in subjects taught in English; the remainder of the day the subjects are taught in Spanish.
“Our school culture was already very welcoming to Spanish and English, so it has been very natural,” she said. Morning assemblies in English are repeated in Spanish for parents. And in church, Spanish is always a part of the liturgy. “Now, it’s just been formalized in our instruction.”
St. Peter’s started, for practical reasons, with the kindergarten class, which already had a bilingual teacher. Math, religion and Spanish language arts are taught in Spanish; English language arts, science and social sciences are taught in English.
“Next year, when our current kindergartners move up to first grade, and the kindergarten teacher takes on a new kindergarten class, we will have a K-1 program,” she explained. Teachers will teach as a team, she said, and “as long as one of them is bilingual, we are fine.” It will grow “gradually” in that way, said Jimenez. It will take nine years before the whole K-8 school is in full dual language immersion model.
The Alliance for Catholic Education summed up the beauty of DLI from a Catholic perspective with this statement: “The ultimate goal is bilingualism, biliteracy and biculturalism, the sharing of faith traditions and solidarity in Gospel witness.”
ST. BRIGID ACADEMY
“Neurodivergent” students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, as well as those who struggle with comprehension and attention, are today
Photo coutesy of St. Brigid Academy
We are the first Catholic ‘microschool’ for K-8 students with learning differences.”
MEGAN RABBITT, head of school
joyfully and intentionally served at St. Brigid Academy. The former parish school of St. Brigid Church, which closed in 1994, continues its long tradition of Catholic education, but under a modified name and with a targeted mission: to serve these special K-8 students.
St. Brigid Academy is the first Catholic “microschool” for students who simply learn differently than other students. A microschool has been described as a modern incarnation of the one-room schoolhouse. By definition it features a small teacher-student ratio. It’s not just a buzzword, but a designation by the National Catholic Educational Association.
“First and foremost, we are a school rooted in the Catholic faith that integrates Catholic values throughout all facets of learning,” said Megan Rabbitt, head of school. “What sets us apart? We can now support a diverse array of learners with intentionally smaller class sizes with a 7:1 teacher-student ratio.”
The smaller student population is distributed into multi-age classrooms where students learn collaboratively as a cohesive learning community and independently to achieve academic goals at their own pace.
English language arts teachers have certification that supports students diagnosed with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Math educators are undergoing the same training.
Rabbitt emphasized that the school’s long tradition of Catholic education that began in 1888 remains. Despite the name change, the school continues to serve “neurotypical” students. The model, in fact, will be better able to help all students reach their full potential, whether that child has a neurodiversity or needs to be challenged beyond their age or grade level, she said.
“Our program is set up so that each student will learn at their own pace” while meeting California state standards under the supervision of highly trained teachers and staff members, she said.
In a 2019 survey, Catholic school leaders in the Archdiocese of San Francisco overwhelmingly indicated a desire to better serve students with diverse learning needs.
“Today we open the doors to a place where every child is valued, understood and given the resources to thrive,” said Chris Fisher, superintendent of Catholic schools. “You are part of a family who celebrates your uniqueness.”
Visit saintbrigidsf.org ■
Celebrating the vocation of the Catholic school teacher
TBY CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
he Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption was buzzing about Catholic education this past Oct. 4. In addition to celebrating the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patronal feast day of the Archdiocese which bears his name, the cathedral welcomed more than 600 teachers and administrators from the Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco to celebrate their vocation as Catholic school educators. It was the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic that all of the elementary school teachers of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese gathered together in person and it was an opportunity for teachers to meet Chris Fisher, the new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and Angela Johnson, the new associate superintendent for elementary schools. Fisher and Johnson began their roles during the summer of 2024. Mike Gutzwiller, director of
curriculum development for the Sophia Institute for Teachers, began the morning with a keynote talk on the vocation and mission of the Catholic school teacher. Sophia Institute for Teachers has partnered with the Department of Catholic Schools and with individual schools in the Archdiocese in the past to provide professional development for teachers. “Sophia Institute is a trusted source of resources and support for our teachers to strengthen and inspire their own ministry in our Catholic schools. They are a ‘goto’ resource for us,” said Ryan Mayer, director of Catholic identity formation and assessment for the Archdiocese.
Each and every teacher in Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco receives formation as catechists as a crucial part of their personal and professional development for carrying out the mission and ministry of Catholic education. After the keynote talk, teachers had
The Department of Catholic Schools holds its annual administrators’ conference and Mass.
the option to attend one of five breakout sessions to receive credit toward their Basic Catechist Certification. The breakouts included sessions on Christian anthropology and its importance for Catholic education, celebrating the Church’s liturgical calendar, educating for virtue, and a session on the practice of Lectio Divina, or praying with Scripture. The latter was led by Superintendent Fisher.
In his keynote to the teachers, Gutzwiller made a distinction between a “big ‘V’ vocation” and a “small ‘v’ vocation.” “Each of us has a universal call to holiness by virtue of our baptism. That’s our ‘big V vocation’,” Gutzwiller said. “But each person lives out that calling in a particular way,” he went on to explain. “Your ministry as teachers in Catholic schools is the way you live out your ‘small v vocation’ according to your particular calling. All of you have been called by God. The proof of that is that you are here…God has called you and you have responded.”
The document “Lay Catholics in Schools: Witnesses to Faith” from the Congregation for Catholic Education, which speaks to the role of those who work in Catholic schools, refers to teaching as a “vocation” 44 times in ›
This year’s event was the first time teachers were able to come together with the new superintendent of schools, Chris Fisher, and the new associate superintendent for elementary schools, Angela Johnson, who shared their vision for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
its 82 short paragraphs. The document says, “The work of a lay educator has an undeniably professional aspect; but it cannot be reduced to professionalism alone. Professionalism is marked by, and raised to, a supernatural Christian vocation. The life of the Catholic teacher must be marked by the exercise of a personal vocation in the Church, and not simply by the exercise of a profession… Their response is vital for the
construction and ongoing renewal of the earthly city, and for the evangelization of the world.”
(Paragraph 37)
The word vocation comes from the Latin “vocare” meaning “to call.” Teaching is a profession but it is also a vocation, a calling. In this sense, those who work in Catholic schools not only live out their own individual calling, each with his or her own unique gifts and talents, but everyone who works in a Catholic school also participates in the teaching office of the Church. For this reason, everyone in a Catholic school is, to one extent or another, responsible for the evangelizing mission of the Church in and through the Catholic school. A 2019 instruction on Catholic education from the same congregation explains, “Everyone has the obligation to recognize, respect and bear witness to the Catholic identity of the schools . . . This applies to the teaching staff, the nonteaching personnel and the pupils and their families.” (“The Identity of the Catholic Schools for a Culture of Dialogue,” 39) In his keynote, Gutzwiller frequently paused to ask the teachers, “who is responsible for evangelization?” To which their voices echoed resoundingly throughout the cathedral, “Everyone!” ■
Be Known. Be Challenged. Be Transformed.
Be Mercy.
Catholic Elementary Schools of North San Mateo County
All Souls Catholic School (Preschool, K-8th)
479 Miller Avenue
So. San Francisco 94080
Phone: (650) 583-3562
Fax: (650) 952-1167
www.ssfallsoulsschool.org
Applications are now being taken.
Email the Admissions Director at info@ssfallsoulsschool.org
Holy Angels School (Preschool, TK-8th)
20 Reiner Street, Colma 94014
(650)755-0220
Fax: (650) 755-0258
www.holyangelscolma.com
Email: office@holyangelscolma.org
Visit our website for a virtual tour or call the school for an in-person tour. Applications are now being accepted.
Please visit our school website for our virtual school tour. Contact the office for more information or for private tours.
Good Shepherd School (K-8th)
909 Oceana Boulevard
Pacifica, CA 94044
Phone: (650) 359-4544
Fax: (650) 359-4558
www.goodshepherdschool.us
Sunday, January 26
11 a.m. Family Mass Applications are now being accepted. Tours are on Wednesdays at 9 am
A Man of the Beatitudes
How the late Bob Ferretti embodied what it means to be a Catholic school educator
BY CHRISTINA GRAY
Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org
Former administrators, faculty and students of Junipero Serra High School were rocked by the Sept. 16 death of Bob Ferretti, retired longtime dean of the all-boys Catholic school in San Mateo. His funeral Mass at St. Monica Church on Sept. 28 overflowed with people he influenced and inspired in his 31 years as a Catholic educator, some of whom spoke with Catholic San Francisco about his faith that expressed itself as a vocation to teaching.
“Bob was a witness, who taught with his life unto his final breath,” said celebrant Msgr. John Talesfore, pastor of St. Matthew Parish in San Mateo, where Ferretti and his wife of nearly 45 years, Patti, belonged.
Ferretti, 75, received the Commendation of the Dying, or last rites, from Msgr. Talesfore in the hospital where he died just six weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. Watching Ferretti, a lifelong teacher, “demonstrating such confidence in God’s plan” in the face of a terminal illness brought to mind the words of Pope St. Paul VI, he said.
“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than he does to teachers, and if he listens to teachers, it’s because they are witnesses,” said Msgr. Talesfore.
SALT OF THE EARTH, LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Born April 12, 1949, in San Francisco, Robert Ferretti attended St. Monica School and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory before earning his undergraduate degree and teaching credential at San Francisco State University. He later earned a master’s degree in business administration there as well.
While earning his credential, he taught at St. Monica School and later St. Stephen School. In 1977, Ferretti was hired to teach theology and history at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, where he served until 1981. He
left education for a short stint in the banking industry but was hired by Junipero Serra High School in 1986 as a theology teacher. Over the course of the next 31 years until his retirement in 2017, Ferretti served Serra High School as a teacher, dean of discipline and ultimately dean of students.
“He really was a man of the Beatitudes,” said Father Stephen Howell, a former and longtime president of Serra High School. He worked alongside Ferretti for decades and witnessed a man “living out the vocation — not just the job — of being a Catholic school educator.”
Ferretti had himself chosen the Beatitudes as the Gospel reading for his funeral Mass, said Father Howell, who recited the verses that follow Matthew 5:3-12. Here, Jesus tells his followers that they are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Their faith and deeds are a “a light to shine before others” so others may glorify God.
Ferretti lived like that, said Father Howell. “He really was the salt of the earth and light of Christ to the world. He lived out the great commandment of loving God and showing this love of God through love of neighbor.”
“I WANT TO CATCH THEM DOING SOMETHING GOOD”
In time, Ferretti became the dean of discipline at Serra High School, a role for which he was uniquely suited, according to former colleagues.
“I remember thinking at the time, he’ll never survive as dean of discipline, he’s too nice of a guy,” said Barry Thornton, who started as a Serra theology teacher with Ferretti, and later served as principal, then president. “But Bob was able to balance the ability to be strict and hold students accountable, with love.”
A Catholic school is a community that represents the values of Christ, said Thornton,
He really was the salt of the earth and light of Christ to the world. He lived out the great commandment of loving God and showing this love of God through love of neighbor.”
FATHER STEPHEN HOWELL
and when you are helping boys ages 1418 become young men, “it’s really about challenging them in a way that calls them to their highest potential.”
“Bob played a very strong and important pastoral role in the life of so many thousands of Serra Padres,” said Lars Lund, who retired in 2015 after more than 40 years with Serra High School, including as principal and president.
Ferretti was wise to all the pressures and stresses that teenagers have, and which sometimes get them into trouble, said Lund. He would give them a little lecture about what it takes to be a Padre and upholding Catholic school values. But he never left it at that, according to Lund. Ferretti would try to “catch them doing something good” in the weeks and months to follow, so he could praise them for it.
“He had the gravitas that the kids needed,” said Lund.
The role of laypeople in Catholic schools has always been important, but “it’s even more important now,” he said, because of the scarcity of religious men and women on Catholic campuses. Throughout most of the years Ferretti was at Serra High School, there was only one half-time priest-chaplain on campus, according to Father Howell. Lay faculty like Ferretti filled an important role.
“I’m not talking about the Mass or the sacraments but being an ear for the boys to talk to,” he said. “Teenagers go through all sorts of things.” He said Ferretti was a good listener, who did far more than just dole out punishment to misbehaving boys.
“No, he wanted the students to understand what they did was wrong, and why they think they did it,” said Father Howell. He tried to help students become mature Catholic men, he said, by helping them see that accountability was less about punishment and more about them developing into the men God made them to be.
“Bobby wasn’t a pietistic guy, but the kids knew his faith was important to him, and that he was engaged in a ministry on their behalf,” said Lund. “I aspire to have his holiness.”
SERRA STUDENTS REMEMBER
A number of former students Ferretti had once suspended came to his funeral to pay their respects. Others continue to write messages to his widow, Patti. ›
I can honestly say I would not have the amazing life and people in it I do today without you or Bob. Bob saw the good in me that I was too consumed in anger and fear to see myself. … Bob saw something beautiful in me when I couldn’t see much of anything in myself. The chances he gave me and the lessons he taught me have stuck with me until this very day.”
ROBBIE YAPP, Junipero Serra High School Class of 2012
Patti Ferretti said she is still getting text messages and emails from Serra boys, now grown men. The couple met at a CYO event in 1978, married in 1980 and have three children and five grandchildren.
For 15 years, the pair commuted together back and forth to Serra, where Patti also worked in campus ministry and student activities.
The Ferrettis served as a great model of a happy marriage to the boys, said Lund.
“My favorite part of working with Bob at Serra was watching him live out his faith. Each encounter he had with these boys was a different adventure. Whatever hand Bob was dealt, he handled it like, what would Jesus do?”
Patti shared a text that came from Robbie Yapp, class of 2012, that read in part:
“I can honestly say I would not have the amazing life and people in it I do today without you or Bob. Bob saw the good in me that I was too consumed in anger and fear to see myself. … Bob saw something beautiful in me when I couldn’t see much of anything in myself. The chances he gave me and the lessons he taught me have stuck with me until this very day. When people ask me what Serra HS did for me, I tell them that it gave me a real shot at showing up for myself when I wasn’t ready to do it.”
“Mr. Ferretti meant the world to me,” wrote Drew Iannone, class of 2004. “I have told everyone I have encountered through the years that he is the main, huge contributing factor that made me who I am today.”
“There are many men who were made better because of Bob’s guidance,” said Ray Whelan, class of 2013. “His legacy will carry on for many years to come.”
He lived as a teacher and died as one, said Thornton. “The example he gave us about making the passage of earthly life to heavenly life really gives us something to think about – what our lives are about and what our lives are for,” he said. ■
The Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Robert Ferretti
FIND A CATHOLIC
PRESCHOOLS
46 - All Souls Preschool
47 - Holy Angels Preschool
48 - Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool
49 - Nativity Preschool
50 - Notre Dame Preschool
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY SAN MATEO COUNTY
PRESCHOOLS
1 - Holy Name Preschool
2 - St. Anne Preschool
3 - St. Paul Littlest Angel Preschool
4 - St. Philip Preschool
5 - St. Stephen Preschool
6 - St. Thomas the Apostle Preschool
7 - Stella Maria Academy
8 - Tiny Knights Preschool at St. Gabriel
9 - Utopia Preschool
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
10 - Convent of the Sacred Heart
11 - De Marillac Academy
12 - Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires
13 - Father Sauer Academy
14 - St. Ignatius College
15 - Holy Name School
16 - Mission Dolores Academy
17 - Our Lady of the Visitacion
18 - School of the Epiphany
19 - St. Anne
20 - St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception
21 - St. Brendan
22 - St. Brigid Academy
23 - St. Cecilia
51 - Our Lady of Angels Preschool
52 - Our Lady of Mercy Preschool
53 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool
54 - Sacred Heart School
55 - St. Matthias Preschool
56 - St. Pius Preschool
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
57 - All Souls
58 - Good Shepherd 59 - Holy Angels
60 - Immaculate Heart of Mary 61 - Nativity
62 - Notre Dame
63 - Our Lady of Angels
64 - Our Lady of Mercy
65 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel
66 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help
67 - Our Lady of the Pillar Academy
68 - Sacred Heart Schools
69 - St. Catherine of Siena
70 - St. Charles
71 - St. Dunstan
72 - St. Gregory
73 - St. Matthew
74 - St. Pius
75 - St. Raymond
76 - St. Robert
77 - St. Timothy
78 - St. Veronica
CATHOLIC SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOLS
80 - Chesterton
MARIN COUNTY
PRESCHOOLS
88 - St. Raphael Preschool
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
89 - Our Lady of Loretto
90 - St. Anselm
91 - St. Hilary
92 - St. Isabella
93 - St. Patrick
94 - St. Raphael
HIGH SCHOOLS
95 - Marin Catholic High School
CATHOLIC SCHOOL FINDER
Scan the QR code and find The Archdiocese of San Francisco's Catholic Schools in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties that contribute to the fabric of the San Francisco Bay Area, through their focus on Catholic identity, academic excellence, and service; or visit: https://schools.sfarch.org/schoolfinder
A ‘Catholic worldview’ of academic excellence
BY ANGELA JOHNSON, ED.D. Associate superintendent for elementary schools
“Catholic schools are built on hope because they are built on faith and trust in Christ.”
This message from Salvatore J. Cordileone inspires and calls the faithful to the mission and purpose of Catholic education that serves students and the school community in attaining the salvation of souls. Across the nation, Catholic schools are celebrating national Catholic Schools Week with various events, including liturgies, prayer services, open houses and academic showcases.
In a fast-paced, ever-evolving world, where students and school communities are challenged with discovering a sense of calm and peace, the Catholic school remains a beacon of light and a beacon of truth, beauty and goodness for the next generation of disciples and leaders, as it always has. The faithfilled community of the Catholic school is blessed and supported by the Archbishop, the many priests, parents, administrators, teachers and the countless staff members and volunteers who support the integral formation of students.
In “The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver provides the five marks of a Catholic school as follows:
1. Inspired by a supernatural vision.
2. Founded on Christian anthropology.
3. Animated by communion and community.
4. Imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum.
5. Sustained by Gospel witness.
When these five marks are applied to all aspects of Catholic education, including the accreditation process, assessment practices and measures and observations of achievement, the culture of the
Catholic school naturally draws students, families and the community to the Lord. Within Catholic schools, there are various roles and responsibilities described in the teachings of the Catholic Church, to ensure that students receive the appropriate spiritual and intellectual formation of the person. Each of the roles are distinct and contribute meaningful value in the Catholic education of the whole person.
The Code of Canon Law addresses the role of parents and guardians, the bishop, the pastor, the directors of schools, such as principals and presidents, and the teachers. Here in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, there is tremendous support from these dedicated ministers of Catholic education, not solely in parochial schools, but in all Catholic schools. Priests celebrate the holy sacrifice of the Mass and the sacrament of penance at Catholic schools, including those that may not have a pastor or priest on site.
Recently, St. Brigid Academy, a Catholic school that serves students with and without learning differences, attended Mass on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at St. Dominic Catholic Church in community with the parish.
In the papal proclamation, “Gravissimum Educationis,” Pope St. Paul VI instructed, “Beautiful indeed and of great importance is the vocation of all those who aid parents in fulfilling their duties and who, as representatives of the human community,
The culture of the Catholic school naturally draws students, families and the community to the Lord.”
Photo courtesy of St. Brigid Academy
undertake the task of education in schools.” The privileged responsibility that parents have to raise their children is accompanied by the choice for the appropriate school on how to provide an excellent Catholic education. Canon law teaches that central to Catholic teaching on Catholic schools is the principle that parents are the primary educators of their children and that schools serve as the principal assistance to parents in this essential responsibility. The teachings of the Catholic Church are well described for the role of parents in Catholic education. In addition, there are explicit guidelines for those who oversee and provide support to Catholic schools, which includes the roles of the bishop, pastor, principal and teachers. Each of these roles is included in the accreditation process, conducted by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) in partnership with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The process includes a review of the operations of the Catholic school and an analysis of assessment practices and achievement for all students through the Catholic worldview. Within the accreditation process, a thorough review of the operations of the Catholic school is conducted, which includes an analysis of assessment practices and achievement for all students, all in light of the Catholic worldview. This academic year, numerous Catholic schools are preparing to host a site visit, ›
including St. Raymond School in Menlo Park. In a recent accreditation visit, the pastor, Rev. Jerome Cudden, O.P., joined the principal, Roderick Harrison, and expressed gratitude for their collaboration, strong enrollment, community engagement, as well as their vision for continuous growth.
Accreditation in Catholic schools provides an external evaluation of the essential operational components, including, but not limited to, the Catholic identity and spiritual formation offered, the academic program and extracurricular activities, and the school leadership and financial resources. Moreover, the accreditation process promotes a level of accountability that seeks to exhibit that a Catholic school meets specific standards of Catholic identity and academic excellence. Thus, the bishop’s authority and oversight are essential to the accreditation process of the Catholic school to ensure adherence to canon law for Catholic schools. Catholic teachings offer clear guidance on the various roles of stakeholders in Catholic schools, in addition to guidelines for preparation and formation of Catholic school teachers and spiritual formation of students, parents, school leaders and school employees. Hence, when the accreditation process is overseen by the bishops and conducted by Catholic school leaders, mission-driven alignment is clearer and can be calibrated on an ongoing basis, as opposed to the
Accreditation also reviews the assessment processes of a Catholic school for both students and professionals. In general, assessments of students and professionals in education are commonly
general cycle typically used by accreditation providers.
understood as measurements and descriptors of achievement and/or performance in the learning and/or working environment. In the classroom, the practice of “measuring” a student’s performance may not consistently encapsulate the student’s knowledge
and skills, especially if they are not formally tested or observed. Thus, it is critical to ensure that multiple forms of data collectors are used to assess not only literacy and numeracy, but additionally to understand the spiritual formation, the physical ability, the social development, the emotional stamina and the applicability of these various facets in the natural growth and development of the individual student.
With a mission-driven perspective, assessment in Catholic education embodies an elevated sense of achievement that utilizes a holistic approach to a student’s performance, and therefore has the potential to provide insight into the future life of the learner, including his or her vocation, whether to the priesthood, religious life, married life or single life, and the implications of that formation on career, college and seminary readiness.
Children thrive when Catholic schools utilize a holistic approach to assessment using a combination of qualitative descriptors and quantitative measures of performance. A deeper sense of the student’s formation and ability levels is more accurately ascertained, which can permeate a more compassionate and positive sense of accomplishment. By using various sources of data, educators add value to the Catholic education offered through the use of an individualized approach. In a recent visit to ›
Photo courtesy of St. Gregory School by John Bartolome
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Redwood City, student assessment was observed in various forms. Teachers engaged students in peer-led conversations, virtual responses and individualized approaches to support unique learning needs. Nonetheless, to uphold the dignity of the human person beyond classroom performance, students are not defined by assessment practices, regardless of the type or format of assessment. Furthermore, since parents are the primary educators of the child, parental input and feedback throughout the educational process is essential. Moreover, to heed the Lord’s message in the Gospel of Matthew to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,”
FR. SAUER ACADEMY
The
cultural schema and background each student possesses and offers to the Catholic school community, locally and universally, create an indelible contribution as members of the mystical body of Christ.”
Catholic schools maintain cognizance of the beautiful, multicultural school populations, especially in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The cultural schema and background each student possesses and offers to the Catholic school community, locally and universally, create an indelible contribution as members of the mystical body of Christ. When carried out efficaciously with unwavering alignment to the mission of salvation of souls, the fruits of the formation of the whole person do not simply yield successful young men and women. Rather, formation of the human person in a Catholic school should transcend the academic program and enlighten the human person with his or her purpose – the vocation that the Lord has instilled within that person, whether to the priesthood, religious life, consecrated life, married life or single life. ■
The Fr. Sauer Academy exists to support under-served students; therefore, family income is a consideration for acceptance.
Localizada en la Escuela Secundaria Preparatoria San Ignacio
Aplicaciones disponibles en nuestro sitio web o bien puede recogerla en la oficina de la Academia Padre Sauer. La Academia Padre Sauer existe para apoyar y servir a alumnos con menos oportunidades y cuyas famllias son de bajos ingresos.
Photo courtesy of Nativity High School
Financial aid for Catholic schools
BY CAROL GREWAL
Associate superintendent, faith formation & leadership, of the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese
Catholic schools have a long-standing tradition of providing quality education rooted in faith, academic excellence and community service. However, for many families, the cost of tuition can pose a significant financial challenge. Financial aid programs for Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of San Francisco exist to ensure that these institutions remain accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. By leveraging the available resources and applying strategically, families can provide their children with a rich education rooted in faith and values without undue financial strain.
WHY FINANCIAL AID MATTERS FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Catholic schools play a critical role in shaping moral values, promoting social responsibility and preparing students for academic and professional success. However, as private institutions, they rely heavily on tuition fees, donations and endowments to cover operating costs. Without financial aid, many families would be unable to afford the cost of tuition, potentially limiting access to the benefits of a Catholic education.
Financial aid helps to:
• Promote inclusivity by ensuring that families from all income levels can participate.
• Strengthen school communities through diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Maintain enrollment levels to support the sustainability of the institution.
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE
1. Need-Based Scholarships at the Local School
Need-based financial aid is the most common type offered by Catholic schools. Many Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of San Francisco have scholarships available for families in need. These scholarships are awarded based on a family’s financial circumstances. Schools often use standardized tools such as FACTS or TADS to evaluate need, considering factors such as income, expenses and family size.
of San Francisco
Many Catholic schools receive funding from local parishes, which may offer
parishioners.”
2. Parish Support
Many Catholic schools receive funding from local parishes, which may offer
and participation in parish activities.
3. Archdiocesan Assistance
The Archdiocese of San Francisco awarded more than $1.4 million to 1,741 students in need last year. Applications for archdiocesan financial aid for 2025-2026 year are now ›
Photo courtesy of St. Peter School
Photo courtesy of ICA Cristo Rey Academy
open via myTads.com. Applications for high schools should be submitted no later than Jan. 15, 2025, and no later than April 15, 2025, for elementary school students. To be considered for this financial aid, one must reside in San Francisco, San Mateo or Marin counties.
4. Private Scholarships and Grants
Organizations such as the Basic Fund or the Guardsmen offer scholarships for students attending Catholic schools. These programs have their own eligibility criteria.
The Basic Fund’s mission is to advance education equity for low-income families by helping offset the cost of tuition at private schools in the Bay Area. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year will be available starting in mid-January at https://basicfund.org/howto-apply/.
The Guardsmen provides scholarships for more than 250 students to attend private schools that give them the intense support and quality education they need.
The Guardsmen Scholarship Program is based on a partial private voucher educational assistance model that establishes a collaborative partnership between the Guardsmen, the student, the school and the parents or guardians. Students in grades K-9 who come from families that meet the income eligibility guidelines for the California Reduced School Lunch Program, and will attend a partner school, can apply for a tuition voucher (up to a maximum of $2,200 per year, per student) to be applied toward private school tuition at one of our local Catholic schools. Once accepted into the program, subject to available funding, a student who maintains
ICA Cristo Rey Academy offers girls the opportunity to participate in a corporate workstudy program in exchange for tuition reductions.”
a 2.7 GPA and continues to meet the annual application criteria will receive scholarship support through high school.
5. Work-Study Programs
ICA Cristo Rey Academy offers girls the opportunity to participate in a corporate work-study program in exchange for tuition reductions.
TIPS FOR FAMILIES SEEKING FINANCIAL AID
Be transparent: Provide accurate and complete information during the application process. Misrepresentation can result in the loss of aid.
Meet deadlines: Deadlines for financial aid applications can vary by school and program. Early submission is crucial to maximize eligibility.
Plan ahead: Start researching financial aid options as soon as you consider enrolling your child in a Catholic school.
Engage with the community: Active involvement in parish and school activities can strengthen your application for certain programs.
Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to reach out to school administrators for guidance on available resources and eligibility requirements.
CONCLUSION
Financial aid for Catholic schools is a vital tool for ensuring that every child, regardless of financial background, has access to a faith-based, high-quality education. By understanding the types of aid available and how to apply, families can navigate the process with confidence and make Catholic education a reality for their children. Supporting these programs also benefits the broader community, fostering the values of inclusivity, compassion and academic excellence that Catholic schools embody. ■
Wedding Anniversary Celebration
All husbands and wives are invited to attend and celebrate their sacramental wedding anniversaries in 2024. Couples celebrating “5 year anniversaries” (5, 10, 15, 20…) will be recognized during the Mass.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025
10 am Mass followed by reception
$20 suggested donation per family
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco
Principal Celebrant: His Excellency Salvatore J. Cordileone
Archbishop of San Francisco
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
www.anniversarymass.info or call (415) 614-5574
Please register by: February 14, 2025
Questions/information: (415) 614-5574
Corporal works of mercy
Perspectives from Catholic school students on topics of faith
As a fundamental part of their academic formation, Catholic school students engage in corporal works of mercy such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless or visiting the imprisoned.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Restorative Justice Ministry has an initiative called Cards of Mercy, which provides those in prison with messages of kindness and love. Nearly 100 students from several Catholic schools and youth in confirmation classes volunteer to prepare holiday cards throughout the year that are delivered to incarcerated individuals.
“Cards of mercy are sent for St. Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Julio Escobar, coordinator of the Restorative Justice Ministry. “Through these letters, our incarcerated sisters and brothers will know that they are not forgotten and that God’s love and mercy extends to them.” ■
SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CARDS OF MERCY or visit https://sfarchdiocese. org/cards-of-mercy/
We are brought into the unseen world
Editor’s Note: The following excerpt on the Eucharist is taken from a sermon in 1856 by St. John Henry Cardinal Newman. This saint, who was a convert from Anglicanism, focused his efforts on Catholic formation. He was the founding rector of a Catholic university in Dublin, where he delivered lectures that were later compiled into his “Idea of a University,” one of the most influential works on higher education ever written. The following brief Eucharistic reflection is one of many that will be published by Catholic San Francisco magazine as part of the U.S. Catholic Church’s Eucharistic Revival (eucharisticrevival.org) that began on June 19, 2022, on the feast of Corpus Christi, and continues through Pentecost 2025.
There is no feast, no season in the whole year, which is so intimately connected with our religious life, or shows more wonderfully what Christianity is, as that which we are now celebrating. There is a point of view in which this doctrine (of the Body and Blood of Christ)] is nearer to our religious life than any other. We are brought into the unseen world. How almighty love and wisdom has met this. He has met this by living among us with a continual presence. He is not past. He is present now. And though He is not seen, He is here. The same God who walked the water, who did miracles …. is in the tabernacle. We come before Him; we speak to Him just as He was spoken to 1,800 years ago. This (is) how He counteracts time and the world. It (the Blessed Sacrament) is not past, it is not away. It is this that makes devotion in lives. It is the life of our religion. We are brought into the unseen world. ■
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church celebrates centennial celebration weekend
BY MARY POWERS Assistant director of communications and media relations. Office of Communications, Archdiocese
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in San Francisco commemorated the 100th anniversary of its iconic church building, drawing parishioners, community members and visitors to honor a century of faith.
While the parish itself dates back even further, the original church building was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and subsequently relocated to its current site in North Beach. Affectionately known as “The Italian Cathedral of the West,” Sts. Peter and Paul has since become a landmark of cultural and spiritual significance in San Francisco, welcoming generations of families through its doors. The Salesians of St. John Bosco have been a vital part of this parish’s story since
1897, when they were sent to North Beach to minister to the Italian community.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, a special Mass was held to honor couples who had been married at Sts. Peter and Paul over the years. During the Mass, a blessing was offered for all couples, both living and deceased, who had celebrated the sacrament of marriage at the parish. The church was filled with memories and familiar faces as parishioners gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy of love and faith nurtured by this community.
The anniversary celebrations continued on Sunday, Nov. 10, with a Mass for the entire parish, celebrated by the Salesian provincial for the Western United States, Father Mel Trinidad. At the beginning of the Mass, an anniversary plaque was blessed, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the current building.
Father Trinidad shared that he had a special connection to the celebration as he had been ordained a deacon in the church.
“My dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate
of San Francisco
Father Mel Trinidad, Salesian provincial for the Western United States, celebrates Mass for the centennial anniversary of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Photos by Mary Powers
100 years of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, this building, this beautiful structure, let us be reminded that this church…stands as a testament that the generosity of the faithful people of God over the years has sustained God’s love, God’s mercy and compassion present in this community and in all of us here today,” Father Trinidad told the faithful in his homily. “Thank you for sharing your gifts, and may God bless you all.”
Following the Mass, a reception was held in the parish hall, where the walls were adorned with photos capturing the church’s history. Among them were wedding photos dating back to the 1930s, reflecting the generations who have celebrated life’s most important moments at Sts. Peter and Paul. The display allowed parishioners to revisit memories and see how their stories intertwined with the parish’s legacy, providing a heartfelt tribute to the many lives touched by this community.
Angela Germano was one of many who came to celebrate the anniversary of their beloved parish, a spiritual home that has welcomed so many throughout the years.
Germano, a long-time parishioner and daily Mass-goer at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, shared with Catholic San Francisco that she was at the celebration that day not only because she was a parishioner, but because her family had been so involved over the years. Her grandfather helped build the church, and when she came over from Italy 64 years ago, she joined the parish. Her husband grew up at the parish, and they were married at the church. Her children went through Sts. Peter and Paul School and received all their sacraments at the parish. Many of her grandchildren have been baptized at the church as well.
The rich spiritual legacy of Sts. Peter and Paul in North Beach will continue to be celebrated this year and will continue for generations to come.
Salesian Father Tho Bui, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, speaking at the centennial Mass reception.
Photo by Mary Powers
Archdiocese distributes $21,000 in grants to parishes helping the hungry
BY SAUL PEREZ
In December, the Archdiocese of San Francisco awarded $21,000 in grants to help Marin, San Mateo and San Francisco parishes feed the hungry.
The 2024 Parish Rice Bowl Grant initiative is funded by the 25 percent of the Rice Bowl collection that is returned to the Archdiocese to be used to combat food insecurity. Last year, the Office of Human Life & Dignity offered parishes the opportunity to apply for a $1,000 grant. Twenty-one parishes applied and qualified for the grants. The money will go to food pantries, grocery giveaways, individual outreaches by parish Society of St. Vincent de Paul conferences, and other programs to help those struggling to put food on the table.
The 2024 Parish Rice Bowl Grant is made possible through the Catholic Relief Services
(CRS) Rice Bowl program, a beloved Lenten tradition that encourages Catholics to engage in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Participants make small sacrifices, such as fasting, and contribute the savings to the Parish CRS Rice Bowl collection. These contributions support both global programs—funding lifesaving initiatives around the world—and local efforts like this grant initiative, which helps parishes combat food insecurity in their own neighborhoods.
SCAN TO READ MORE ABOUT THE CRS RICE BOWL PROGRAM AND SEE THE LIST OF PARISH AWARDEES or visit https://sfarchdiocese.org/archdiocesedistributes-21000-in-grants-toparishes-helping-the-hungry/
Vista Manor House
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference food pantry at St. Raphael Parish.
Archbishop Cordileone closes jubilee year for Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
BY CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone celebrated Mass on Nov. 29, marking the conclusion of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s Holy Year. This year-long celebration commemorated the bicentennial of the death of their foundress, Blessed Maria Magdalene of the Incarnation.
In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone reflected on the life of the order’s foundress, emphasizing her transformative vision of Christ. This experience inspired her to establish the Congregation of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, a community devoted to Eucharistic adoration day and night. “Her presence to her Bridegroom brought her the true jewels in life: holiness,” the Archbishop said, highlighting the spiritual legacy of Blessed Maria Magdalene.
The jubilee year began November 2023 with a focus on Eucharistic devotion and community. Throughout the jubilee year, the sisters organized events to honor their foundress and deepen devotion among the faithful. The Archbishop lauded their work, noting their central role in fostering Eucharistic faith within the Archdiocese.
First steps and leaps of faith. Whispered hopes and daring dreams. New beginnings and familiar comfort. This is life. This is home.
Archbishop Cordileone thanked the sisters for their dedication, particularly as the Church continues its Eucharistic Revival efforts. “Thank you for showing us where to find the true jewels in life and for enkindling within us the desire to live in a way receptive to God’s gift of holiness,” he said.
The conclusion of Holy Year for the sisters also brought an end to the jubilee indulgence offered to those who came to the monastery to pray.
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New pastoral letter from California bishops on immigration
On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe the California Catholic bishops released a pastoral letter on immigration titled “Am I not here, I who am your mother?”
Addressed to the immigrant communities in California, the bishops expressed their solidarity with them, writing, “We commit to accompanying and walking in solidarity with you, our migrant brothers, sisters and families through this uncertain time. We will shepherd you spiritually, gather information and resources, and continue to advocate for your dignity and family unity.”
Referencing the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the bishops entrusted the migrant communities to the heart of the Blessed Mother, patroness of the Americas.
SCAN TO READ THE FULL LETTER or visit https:// cacatholic.org/statements/ am-i-not-here-i-whoam-your-mother/
OPEN THIS QR CODE FOR MORE CATHOLIC Q&A or visit https://sfarchdiocese.org/ January-2025-catholic-quiz/
1. The sin of our First Parents was disobedience, and the root of their disobedience was which of the following?
C. The serpent told Eve that if she eats of the tree in the middle of the garden, her eyes “will be opened” and she “will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Eve saw that the fruit was “to be desired to make one wise” — which is something she wanted — so “she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate” (Gn 3:5-6). The two of them wanted to gain wisdom, wanted to know good and evil and wanted to be like God. They were ambitious, out of pride, so this is the right answer.
2. How are angels organized into species?
E. Right, because all the other answers are wrong.
3. Which sacraments can be received only once?
D. Each of these sacraments may be received only once (for holy orders, only once at each level: deacon, priest, bishop), because each leaves an indelible mark on the soul. Remember the saying: “Once a priest, always a priest.” Likewise with baptism and confirmation: once baptized or confirmed, always baptized or confirmed.
4. What is the Hypostatic Union?
E. None of the above answers is correct, so this one is.
5. What is a miracle?
E. None of the above answers is correct, so this one is.
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Come out and join us
SCAN TO SEE THE COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR OF EVENTS or visit sfarch.org/events
Jan. 24-25:
21st annual Vigil for Life and Walk for Life
The 21st annual Walk for Life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 12:30 p.m. at the Civic Center in San Francisco. Join in prayer around the event with the Walk for Life Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone the day of the Walk. The night before (Jan. 24) attend the Walk for Life Vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Dominic Church, and adoration at Sts. Peter and Paul Church (810 p.m.). Join us in praying and standing for life. Full list of events at: https://www.walkforlifewc. com/event-info/event-schedule/
Feb. 1:
Archdiocesan Women’s Conference
Women of the Archdiocese of San Francisco are invited to attend the Archdiocesan Women’s Conference on Feb. 1, at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Belmont. Archbishop Cordileone will celebrate Mass for the conference and Timmerie
Geagea, host of Relevant Radio’s
Trending with Timmerie, will be the keynote speaker. There will also be time for Eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation. Register at: www. sfarch.org/womens-conference.
Feb. 2: Consecrated Life Mass
Join us as we celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life, honoring those consecrated men and women who serve in the Archdiocese and those who are celebrating jubilee anniversaries of their profession of vows. The Mass for Consecrated Life will take place on Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.
Feb. 8:
Chinese New Year Mass and Celebration
The Chinese Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco invites you to their Chinese New Year Mass and Celebration on Feb. 8 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. Mass begins at 2 p.m. and a dinner will follow with traditional Chinese food and entertainment.
Feb. 22:
Wedding Anniversary Mass
All married couples in the Archdiocese are invited to attend
and celebrate their sacramental wedding anniversaries at a Mass and reception with Archbishop Cordileone on Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. Those celebrating five-year anniversaries (5, 10, 15, 20, etc.) will be recognized during the Mass.
March 8: Men’s Conference
Men of the Archdiocese are invited to attend the San Francisco Bay Area Catholic Men’s Conference on March 8 from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at St. Pius Catholic Church in Redwood City. Come be inspired, challenged and encouraged by Archbishop Cordileone, our outstanding speakers and your brother Catholic men. Learn more and register at: https:// sfarch.org/event/catholic-mensconference/
March 20:
Salutations of the Holy Cross
Join Archbishop Cordileone and Metropolitan Gerasimos for Salutations of the Holy Cross at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont on March 20 at 7 p.m. The liturgy is an opportunity for Catholic and Orthodox communities to join together in prayer and to venerate a relic of the true cross of Jesus.
