FEBRUARY 2024
2024 ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39 CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
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Preplanning in the New Year "THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME: THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW IS HERE!" - 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
As we begin a new year, consider preplanning and making choices now to alleviate your family of additional stresses during a difficult time and ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Each person can decide what is appropriate for their needs and those of their family. Our Family Service Advisors are experts in pre-need arrangements and can help you and your family make these important decisions now during a time of clarity. Your Catholic Cemeteries are here to assist you as you work towards this resolution in 2024. (2.)o
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Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery St. Anthony Cemetery St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery Tomales Catholic Cemetery
1500 Mission Road, Colma, CA 1975 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, CA 270 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 926 Miramontes St., Half Moon Bay, CA Stage Road, Pescadero, CA 16 Horseshoe Hill Road, Bolinas, CA 1400 Dillon Beach Road, Tomales, CA
650-756-2060 650-323-6375 415-479-9020 650-712-1679 650-712-1679 415-479-9021 415-479-9021
A Tradition of Faith Throughout Our Lives.
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FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
02 06 10
Archbishop: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
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Mission Advancement: Service before self
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Service scholarship: USF donors connect campus with community
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Professional Development: Paying it forward
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Continuing education: Evangelization Expertise
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Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: Your gifts change lives
28 32
Atonement: The transforming power of suffering love (part 2)
36 40
Valerie Schmalz Human Life & Dignity
PRODUCTION MANAGER
CSF MAGAZINE EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Rod Linhares Mission Advancement
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Fr. Patrick Summerhays Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia
Mary Powers (415) 614-5638 Communications & Media Relations Editor, San Francisco Católico
BUSINESS MANAGER CIRCULATION
Diana Powell
LEAD WRITER
COPY EDITOR
Nancy O’Brien
ADVERTISING
Front and back cover photos by Dennis Callahan
Ryan Mayer Catholic Identity Assessment & Formation Peter Marlow (415) 614-5636 Communications & Media Relations
Upcoming events: Save the dates! Come out and join us
Joel Carrico
(415) 614-5644
Chandra Kirtman
Published by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109. Catholic San Francisco (ISSN 15255298) is published 8 times yearly. Catholic San Francisco is printed by Publication Printers Corp. in Denver, Colorado. Periodical postage paid in San Bruno, California. Subscriptions: $35 a year anywhere in the United States. Postmaster:
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ARCHBISHOP
“Love your
SUPPORT THE AAA
Details about ways to give to the AAA on page 4. SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION, or contact your parish or the Office of Mission Advancement at (415) 614-5580 or email: development@sfarch.org
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FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
Dear friends in Christ: As we set out in this new year of 2024, I pray God may accompany you throughout this year with many blessings of peace and happiness as you seek to live out your faith in keeping with God’s call in your life. I also wish, on behalf of everyone who depends on the ministries and services of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, to thank you for your tremendous generosity to the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal through the years. Your commitment to our Catholic faith and assistance to those in need has impacted countless lives and is an inspiration to me in my ministry. The theme for the 2024 Annual Appeal is Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” As Catholics, we use our gifts and talents to serve and demonstrate our love for our neighbors. Indeed, instead of asking who our neighbors are, Catholics ask, “Is there anyone who is not our neighbor?” A primary way we demonstrate our love for our neighbors is through participating in the Annual Appeal. Through the AAA, the more than 90 parishes in our Archdiocese unite as one body, supporting social ministries, youth and young adults, our schools, seminarians and the poor, to name a few examples. This support can make an especially significant difference in the lives of some of our young neighbors: Our Youth and Young Adults: As one of our Young
Adult ministers stated, “Support from the AAA allows us to conduct retreats, family nights, and hold other events, so we can come together, help young people stay in the Church and grow in their faith.” Our School Students via teacher incentive grants: As one of our school principals states, “Support from the appeal has made a tremendous impact on the lives of my students. My continuing education has helped me assess their needs and thus provide a nurturing environment where each can continue to learn and grow as a whole person.” Imagine the consequences if support from the AAA weren’t there, in just the above instances. How many young people would not experience the joys and benefits of growing in their faith with their peers? How would our students’ growth be adversely impacted? And, as we all imagine, there are countless others who benefit from your support of the AAA. Our mission as a Church and people of the Catholic faith continues, so I invite you to participate in this year’s Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Your contribution is a vivid expression of your commitment to bring Christ to others, and it enhances our ability to spread and celebrate our faith. All gifts are greatly appreciated. I thank you for your generosity, your commitment to the Church, your demonstrations of faith and your love for your neighbor – a love that inspires me. With my gratitude and my prayerful best wishes, I am,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone Archbishop of San Francisco CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
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LET’S SUPPORT THE AAA A self-addressed AAA donation brochure is enclosed for your convenience. Only you can decide what gift amount is right for you in light of your circumstances and the blessings God has given you. You may make your contribution over the course of the year. Please see the table below.
ONLINE AT SFARCH.ORG/AAA (by credit card or checking account): Please note that you can take full advantage of the benefits offered by your credit card, such as bonus points and airline miles. USING THE ENCLOSED BROCHURE (by credit card, check, or cash): Please make checks payable to “Archdiocesan Annual Appeal 2024.” You may send your completed donation brochure directly to the Archdiocese (the address is pre-printed on the form). STOCKS, BONDS OR MUTUAL FUNDS: Donations of stock offer a way to make a charitable gift without having to utilize cash funds. In addition, a stock donor may benefit from capital gains tax savings. For more information on how to donate stocks, bonds or mutual funds, contact the Office of Mission Advancement: (415) 614-5580, development@sfarch.org. MATCHING GIFTS: Many employers have matching gift programs that provide employees with the opportunity to enhance their charitable contributions. Please contact your company’s Human Resource professional to find out whether your company has a matching gift program. SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION, or contact your parish or the Office of Mission Advancement at (415) 614-5580 or email: development@sfarch.org
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SUGGESTED GIFT PLANS Total Gifts
1st Payment
10 Monthly Payments
$5,000
$500
$450
$2,000
$200
$180
$1,000
$100
$90
$500
$50
$45
$200
$20
$18
$100
$10
$9
Do you have a legal will?
Catholics are called to protect our abundant blessings from God. Creating your will or trust will give you peace of mind. It ensures your loved ones are cared for and perpetuates the long-term mission of the church. The Archdiocese of San Francisco has partnered with FreeWill to provide parishioners an online resource to create a legal estate plan at no cost. It takes less than a half hour.
Get started on your free will at FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO FreeWill.com/SFArch
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M ISSION ADVANCE M E NT
Service before self “The Annual Appeal enables us to help others. It’s great to know you can do so.”
Ron Simonian, St. Gregory (San Mateo) parishioner BY ROD LINHARES
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Director of mission advancement for the Archdiocese of San Francisco
on Simonian credits his Catholic upbringing and education for establishing a strong foundation and instilling a deep sense of community. “My faith was developed throughout grammar school at St. Cecilia (in San Francisco) and high school at St. Ignatius (class of ’81). I took to heart the teachings of St. Ignatius and how important it was to serve others as a means of praise, reverence and service to God,” he says. Simonian serves in a variety of ways. “I donate to the Archdiocese and to St. Gregory Parish and have done so for more than 25 years. I support St. Greg’s through weekly giving and the broader needs of the Archdiocese through the Annual Appeal. I’ve also been fortunate to serve as a member of the St. Greg’s Finance Council, to coach sports there and direct the athletics department.” All of us, as Catholics, use our gifts and talents to support and serve others. A way we do so is through supporting the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. The theme for the 2024 Annual Appeal is “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Through the AAA, the nearly 90 parishes in our Archdiocese unite, supporting social ministries, youth and young adults, our schools, seminarians and the poor, to name a few examples. The complete list of the appeal’s benefits, as well as this year’s
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Photo courtesy of St Agnes Parish
Extending a warm welcome, the St. Agnes parish community distributes weekly snacks and monthly groceries to the homeless and others in need, making a positive difference in the lives of many.
six-minute video, may be found on the archdiocesan website (sfarch.org/aaa). “My Catholic faith is important to me and to my family, and helping others is fulfilling,” Simonian says. “When you can give, it’s important to do so.” On behalf of everyone who needs and depends on the programs and ministries of the Annual Appeal, we invite you to join Ron Simonian and thousands of others throughout the Archdiocese and give to the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Your gift is a tangible expression of our commitment to bring the Church’s message of faith, love and hope to others, and it will impact many lives. All support is greatly appreciated and very beneficial. We thank you for your love of your neighbor and your commitment to our Catholic faith. ■ Please contact Rod Linhares (415-614-5581 or linharesr@sfarch.org) or Rose Marie Wong (415-6145517 or wongr@sfarch.org) for more information. SCAN TO LEARN HOW YOUR ANNUAL GIFT SUPPORTS PARISH OUTREACH or visit https://sfarch.org/aaa/.
FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
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Jesuit Institute for Family Life
Marriage Counseling Family Counseling Individual Counseling Is your marriage what you want it to be? Are you struggling to express your need for your spouse? Are your children suffering from lack of communication with your partner? Has your spouse left you emotionally? Have you tried to solve problems like these and found you could not do it alone? This need has given rise to the Jesuit Institute for Family Life; a staff of competently prepared and professionally skilled marriage counselors who are Catholic in religious orientation perceiving marriage as a sacrament and whose training and interest is in dealing with the above questions and areas of growth in family living. The Jesuit Institute for Family Life provides marriage counseling, individual and couples, family counseling, and group counseling for married couples as a means to meet the need within families to value the presence of individual family members and to improve the quality of intra-family relationships. To want to value one’s spouse and family members is often quite different from actually performing in a way that effectually expresses such value. We find that new skills are often needed and old obstacles to growth must be understood and worked through before effective human relating can be realized. When we do this we relate to Christ as He said, “In you give to these brothers and sisters of mine you give to Me.” (Matthew 25:40) STAFF: Robert Fabing, S.J., D. Mn., M.F.T., Director Michael Neri, Ph.D., M.F.T. Ann Rooney, S.M., M.A., M.F.T. Marilyn Neri, M.A., M.F.T. FOR AN APPOINTMENT Phone 650/948-4854 Jesuit Institute for Family Life Jesuit Retreat Center 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, California 94022 www.jiflinet.com
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VALLOMBROSA RETREAT CENTER We are open for your spiritual renewal
In a beautiful and peaceful park setting that includes many prayer and mediations spots*, we will host your group’s retreat or conference. You may also sign up for a private retreat. We especially invite you to attend one of our five-day silent retreats which are very powerful and reasonably priced.
For group reservations or a private retreat:, call 650-325-5614 Or email jaynie@vallombrosa.org. For our five-day retreat, call Deacon Dominick Peloso, (650) 269-6279 *The mediation spots available include: Lourdes, Fatima, St. Joseph, St. Mother Theresa, St. Francis, Spiritual Works, Corporal Works, Adoration Chapel, and (coming @ September ‘23), a large (50’ x 12’) crucifixion scene by Timothy Schmaiz.
Some of our readers may not be familiar with using QR codes. It’s simple. If you know how to use the camera on your smart phone, you’re all set! Just turn on your camera phone and point it at the QR code. Make sure you allow the camera to focus on the QR code’s black and white square icon. When your phone clearly captures the QR code, you will see a prompt on your phone’s screen that will allow you to open a new window to access the content. That’s it! For those without a smartphone, we added the URL link. We hope you enjoy these new magazine features, and we look forward to your active participation!
IGNITE GREATER LOVE OF
THE EUCHARIST
We want to hear from you! Please send your story ideas and faith-based or general questions to catholicsf@sfarch.org. Your voice matters as we continue to explore new ways to engage with our readers! 8
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AVAILABLE NOW : EucharistIsReallyJesus.com FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
CATHOLIC QUIZ
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 https://ignatius.com/the-ultimate-catholic-quiz-ucqp/
T
here 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. To guarantee your salvation, you must
a. keep at least a majority of the Ten Commandments. b. wear a scapular daily. c. die in a state of sanctifying grace, even if you committed a mortal sin the day before. d. go to confession at least monthly. e. none of the above
2. A nun
a. is neither a layperson nor a cleric. b. is a cleric and no longer a layperson. c. may be installed as a chaplain of a hospital. d. is the female equivalent of a deacon. e. none of the above.
3. Papal infallibility means
a. the Pope is preserved by the Holy Spirit from committing mortal sins. b. anything the Pope teaches is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit to be true. c. the Pope’s teachings must be assented to because he is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and thus speaks for the Holy Spirit, who cannot err.
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
d. The pope is incapable of teaching erroneously on matters of faith and morals when he defines publicly and officially a doctrine for all Christians, not just Catholics, to hold. e. none of the above.
4. Contraception is
a. permissible only for married couples with the permission of their parish priest and under extenuating circumstances. b. never permissible, no matter what the circumstances. c. permissible if the husband and wife, after honest prayer, conclude that it is right for them and do not use it selfishly. d. permissible only if the wife’s health would otherwise be in danger or if the husband is unable to support a large family. e. none of the above.
5. Which of these is an accurate definition of heresy?
a. Jansenism, named after Cornelius Jansen (1585-1638), taught that Christ died for all and therefore everyone is predestined to be saved. b. Monophysitism (also called Eutychianism) taught that there was only one (“mono”) permissible way to receive Holy Communion, and that was in the form of bread alone. c. Adoptionism taught that Jesus was the Father’s adoptive Son. d. Brunoism, named after Giordano Bruno (1548-1600), the Italian friar, philosopher, and astrologer who was burned at the stake in Rome’s Campo de’ Fiori, held that the Bible could be understood sufficiently through science, without need for a magisterium. e. none of the above.
Answer highlights can be found on page 38. OPEN THIS QR CODE FOR COMPREHENSIVE ANSWERS or visit https://sfarchdiocese. org/february-2024-catholic-quiz/
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SERVICE SCHOL ARSHIP
USF donors connect campus with community BY LIDIA WASOWICZ Award-winning journalist Wasowicz, former West Coast science editor and senior science writer for United Press International, has been writing for Catholic San Francisco since 2011.
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third-generation Hong Kong Catholic and MIT-educated engineer and his wife are funding a unique new University of San Francisco service scholarship to build a bridge between campus and community. Christopher Leung and Priscilla Lee, parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena in Burlingame, covered the initial cost of the span that enables civicminded students to cross over from imagining to implementing ideas on improving the lot of the underserved. "I am so glad that Chris started this initiative for us to sponsor USF students in exploring creative ways to help our community and am encouraged by the students' overwhelming response to the program,” Lee said. Leung, who immigrated to the United States in high school, identified a threefold aim of the $5,000-per-recipient award launched in July 2023: to extend tuition relief, encourage volunteerism through example and establish joint programs
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with local charities supporting the vulnerable and voiceless. Inés Ventura, one of the 16 who applied and nine who were chosen for the Community Leadership Program, meets all the objectives. Freed from anxiety over affordability, the 19-year-old aspiring journalist can focus on “tutoring youngsters whose reading level is behind grade level by six months or more through Reading Partners, an Oakland-based children’s literacy nonprofit she selected last year as a freshman from a list offered to work-study students by the USF financial services office. “I see children improving their reading competence and comprehension as very important to everyone,” said Ventura, who spoke solely Spanish until age 5 and exudes empathy during her weekly one-on-one sessions with three bilingual third graders. “I’m passionate about helping these future leaders build the skills now they will need to succeed later in life and contributing to the industry I want to pursue by having people understand what I’m writing.” Born in Chula Vista to a homeowners attorney and communication specialist at the San Diego County Office of Education, the youngest
FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
of four daughters honed her stewardship skills at home and at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. “I don’t just live for myself,” said Ventura. “All of us in this program share the understanding that we must step out of our little worlds and see each other as actual global family members, and that’s really inspiring for me.” Such insights have led team head Bob Just to declare the pilot program a success and dream of its future. “It’s been beautiful to see the students forge relationships with these nonprofits and now that these bridges exist, they are excited about who can and will follow in their footsteps,” said Just, program director of the Change the World From Here Institute, created to “develop critically aware and goal-oriented system thinkers who are motivated to change their communities for the common good.” Constructing such bridges formed the framework for the scholarship he designed with major input from the donors and USF colleagues. Requirements for the initial semester spanned exchanging ideas with local community leaders at monthly sessions, performing 30 to 40 hours of service with one or more of seven participating nonprofits and exhibiting contagious enthusiasm for outreach to those lacking fundamental resources. “To date, the students have been doing a wonderful job with following through on these responsibilities given the complexity of navigating their fulltime student status with engagement beyond the classroom,” said Just, who has been affiliated with the Student Leadership and Engagement office for the past eight years. Navigating through the complexity during the ›
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We are a stronger world when we are looking out for one another, and we are grateful for Chris’ and Priscilla’s powerful example in doing just that.” BOB JUST
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fall term, Ventura put in nearly 30 hours making two school visits a week and completing assignments with her not-always-cooperative charges while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average as a media studies and journalism major and serving as copy editor of the school newspaper, San Francisco Foghorn. “It’s a crazy schedule and intricate balancing act,” said Ventura, whose Wednesday itinerary included a one-hour bus ride to Hillcrest Elementary in the Excelsior district in southeast San Francisco for two tutoring sessions, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a return trip to attend class until 8 p.m. Undaunted, she not only wants to continue but also encourages others to join in. “It will change your life because you’re benefiting as much as those you serve,” she attested. Enthusiasm for and a history of helping others comprise key CLP mandates. Other criteria include sophomore, junior or senior status, enrollment for the full academic year, eligibility for financial aid and a minimum 2.0 GPA. The “C” letter grade requirement enables “lowerperforming students (to) have the opportunity to improve grades and enrich their academic experience with on-the-ground service efforts,” said Just, noting the current cohort’s average GPA stands at 3.59. “We are proud of the nine students who have been chosen and their academic performance,” he said. Their on-the-job performance also got a positive review from Jennifer Byrne, program manager of the Free Clothing Distribution Center at St. Anthony’s Foundation, another nonprofit partnering with USF. The center could not function without student volunteers, who screen, sort and select contributed items and serve as personal shoppers for clients, she said. “It’s a beautiful thing to see how people come together and make magic happen,” said Byrne, who a decade ago was on the receiving end of the services. Leung, a real estate and hedge fund investor who earned an engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said he will determine whether to renew the program based on its success and identification of additional donors. CLP participants hope it’s not a bridge too far. “The students have consistently expressed their appreciation for this opportunity to be part of the program and have high hopes that it continues in the future because of how unique and supportive it has been,” Just said. “We are a stronger world when we are looking out for one another, and we are grateful for Chris’ and Priscilla’s powerful example in doing just that.” ■ FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPM ENT
Paying it Forward Annual appeal helps Catholic educators advance their own education BY CHRISTINA GRAY Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org
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he late South African president Nelson Mandela famously said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” That is the spirit behind the Educators Incentive Grant Program, a tuition assistance program offered by the Archdiocese of San Francisco to help Catholic school teachers and administrators advance their own capabilities through continuing education. By helping educators with some of the financial burdens of professional development, archdiocesan Catholic schools are benefiting from the knowledge they bring back to the schools and students they serve. The grant is also helping retain its best educators, according to one past recipient. “It’s just a win-win, for everybody,” said Dr. Lara de Guzman, in her fifth year as principal of Our Lady of the Visitacion School in San Francisco. It helped her pursue a doctoral degree in Catholic educational leadership at the University of San Francisco, where she also received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The program’s outcomes include the ability to communicate the vision, mission and
values of Catholic education, understanding of current research and methodologies in Catholic education, and learning how to apply Gospel values and Catholic social teaching to all aspects of their leadership. “The doctoral program helped me see the world through a different lens,” said Dr. de Guzman. “It helped me understand the importance of being a culturally competent and responsive school leader, and gave me the tools to be able to be that.” Three other teachers at the school have been recipients of the grant, she said. Being a principal is hard work, de Guzman admitted, with increased demands and responsibilities beyond the classroom. It also includes, but is not limited to, managing enrollment, facilities, finances, and the Catholic identity of the school. In the case of OLV School, serving an ethnically diverse immigrant population, this includes constantly working toward making sure all voices are heard. “The world is always changing, and as educators we need to be equipped with the tools that lead to informed decision making,” said Dr. de Guzman, an immigrant from the Philippines herself and the school’s first principal who is a person of color. “That’s what I feel that I have now, through not only my experiences, but also my education.” The Educator Incentive Grant Program, made possible by the funds received through the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal, provides partial tuition reimbursement grants for Catholic elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators. The grants, up to $2,000 a year, cover postgraduate degree
The world is always changing, and as educators we need to be equipped with the tools that lead to informed decision making. That’s what I feel that I have now, through not only my experiences, but also my education.” DR. LARA DE GUZMAN principal of Our Lady of the Visitacion School, San Francisco
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FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
Courtesy photo
Dr. Lara de Guzman, center, principal of Our Lady of the Visitacion School in San Francisco, completed the Catholic educational leadership program at USF with an Educator Incentive Grant funded by the AAA.
programs or certificate programs at accredited colleges or universities. To qualify, applicants must work at a school location within the Archdiocese and agree to continue working for the Department of Catholic Schools for three years upon completion of their education. They must also be recommended for the grant by a senior administrator, a supervisor or pastor. Professional growth in the areas of school administration, theology, mathematics, science and effective use of technology in classroom instruction are priorities for the Department of Catholic Schools, said Gustavo Torres, principal of Good Shepherd School in Pacifica and former recipient of the EIG grant. He continues to serve the program as its administrator. CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
Preference will be given to applicants for study in these areas and to those closest to completing their degree, he said. “This program has assisted the Archdiocese in not only retaining faculty and principals in our schools, but also in enabling them to expand their professional knowledge and grow professionally,” said Torres. In 2020, Torres was accepted into the University of Notre Dame’s master’s degree program in theology. Despite the interruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, he completed his degree in June 2023, and accepted the position as Good Shepherd principal the next month. “It was a wonderful opportunity that allowed me to join a community of leaders ›
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Courtesy photo
Gustavo Torres, far right, principal of Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, is pictured in Rome with other Catholic educators enrolled in a master’s degree program in theology at Notre Dame University. Torres received tuition reimbursement assistance through the Archdiocese’s EIG program.
Professional growth in the areas of school administration, theology, mathematics, science and effective use of technology in classroom instruction are priorities for the Department of Catholic Schools.” GUSTAVO TORRES principal of Good Shepherd School, Pacifica and former recipient of the EIG grant
in the church and Catholic education,” said Torres. He said last year the EIG program provided 55 educators in the Archdiocese with nearly $80,000 in tuition grants. He reads the recommendations required of applicants from administrators, principals or
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pastors, and makes recommendations to the superintendent of schools, who makes final approval of the grants. Dr. de Guzman worked for Catholic institutions including the University of San Francisco for 20 years, and even left education altogether for a time before she responded to a “calling” to become a Catholic school leader. As a recipient of the EIG grant, she encourages her teachers to apply for the grant and use it to develop themselves professionally. “I am grateful to the supporters of the Annual Appeal,” she said. “You have made a tremendous impact on my life and the life of my students.” ■ SCAN TO LEARN HOW YOUR ANNUAL GIFT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION or visit https://sfarch.org/aaa/ FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
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CONTINUING EDUCATION
Evangelization Expertise: Archdiocesan Annual Appeal funds specialized education program in the new evangelization BY CHRISTINA GRAY Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org
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T
he idea of a “new evangelization” isn’t exactly new. Pope St. John XXIII, Pope St. John Paul II, Pope St. Paul VI, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis all emphasized the Church’s dire need to attract newcomers — or the fallen away — in distinctly different ways than it has in the past. Most if not all priests are familiar with the fundamental idea of the new evangelization, which calls for all baptized Catholics to deepen their faith and “re-propose” the Gospel to other Christians who may have experienced a crisis of faith or have slowly drifted away. But to carry this out well within the context of a parish community requires some knowledge and skill. Father Michael Liliedahl is gaining that expertise, thanks to funding from the Annual Appeal. Father Liliedahl, pastor of St. Stephen Church in San Francisco, is about a quarter of the way through a four-year, postgraduate degree program — the licentiate in sacred theology (STL) in the new evangelization — at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. It’s an ecclesiastical degree in pastoral theology through the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, open to lay Catholics and Catholic priests. “Many of us have not heard a clear explanation of what the new evangelization is,” said Matthew T. Gerlach, dean of the Institute for Lay Ministry at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. “We don’t exactly know what it is or how to do it. This course aims to remedy this.” Father Stephen Burr, rector/president of Sacred Heart Seminary, said priests who graduate from the program, led by the program’s professors who are highly credentialed experts in the new evangelization, are prepared to lead critical efforts of evangelization in their parishes and dioceses. “It is the intention of Archbishop Cordileone
to have someone in the San Francisco Archdiocese specially educated in the new evangelization,” Father Liliedahl told Catholic San Francisco. “Pope Francis continually says that a Church focused in on itself is a Church that is dying,” said Father Liliedahl. “A Church that is focused outward is alive and growing in the Spirit.” The program’s online coursework includes a five-week summer residency for Catholic priests. The blended format allows Father Liliedahl to remain at St. Stephen Church and School during the traditional academic year and attend in-person classes at the seminary during the summer when pastoral responsibilities tend to slow down. Coursework in philosophy can help priests better understand the points of view of those who might either not know, resist or completely oppose a Christian worldview. The in-person summer program gives priests from around North America an opportunity to share their experiences with each other. “Looking ahead and seeing that I have 30 or 40 years left of ministry ahead of me, I asked, how do I make those years most effective?” he said. “I think the new evangelization is where to go for that.” The methods of evangelization the Church has used over the last thousand years have changed drastically, said Father Liliedahl, because the world has changed drastically. He said the Catholic Church traditionally evangelized by proposing ways of behaving, and then ways of believing, and then ways of belonging. “It kind of flowed in that order,” he said. “Once you behaved a certain way you would come to believe. And once you behaved and believed, then you were given this sense of belonging in the community.” But that process almost needs to be FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
Courtesy photo
Father Michael Liliedahl, pastor of St. Stephen Parish in San Francisco, is seen doing outreach on the campus of San Francisco State University.
Continuing education for priests is important to be able to understand the world and how best to minister in that world. We wouldn’t be able to engage in this continuing education for priests if not for the support of the Annual Appeal.” FATHER MICHAEL LILIEDAHL Pastor of St. Stephen Church, San Francisco CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
completely reversed in our day and age, according to Father Liliedahl. The traditional way has failed to resonate with today’s highly secularized culture. So many today find themselves in an “existential crisis of loneliness,” according to Father Liliedahl. So many don’t know authentic relationship, what it means to authentically give or receive the gift of another person. “If we are going to ask them to participate in the Trinity, which in itself is a giving and receiving of that total gift, we need to be in relationship first,” he said. “First, you give a person a sense of belonging,” he said. As they establish a sense of belonging and they are able to participate in authentic relationships, they come to believe. “Once they belong and believe, then eventually behaving comes afterwards.” Father Liliedahl admits the words “belonging, believing and behaving" seem to have been chosen for their alliteration, but they do accurately describe the process. “First, you feel that you are part of a community, that someone cares for you and that you are met on your own terms,” he said. “Then you come to share with each other and grow together in your faith.” Father Liliedahl said parish priests and staff often work long and hard to create a great parish, but the temptation remains to wait for “people to come to us.” “But people aren’t coming to us,” he said. The onus is on parish communities to go out, to meet them where they are and invite them into the community. “If we just wait in our churches for an encounter, it may never happen, because they are simply not coming to us.” Father Liliedahl is unsure at this point whether he will serve any official evangelization role for the Archdiocese of San Francisco once his education is complete, but he does understand the beauty of the new evangelization. “Continuing education for priests is important to be able to understand the world and how to best minister in that world,” he said. “We wouldn’t be able to engage in this continuing education for priests if not for the support of the Annual Appeal.” ■ SCAN TO LEARN HOW YOUR ANNUAL GIFT SUPPORTS THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF OUR PRIESTS or visit https://sfarch.org/aaa/
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“Love
ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL
YOUR GIFTS CHANGE LIVES
Your gift to the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal allows us to provide ministries, programs and services that benefit parishes and people throughout the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Annual Appeal is an opportunity for all in the Archdiocese to come together as one community to support one another and everyone we serve. “For almost a quarter of a millennium, the Church in San Francisco has been a beacon of hope, spreading the light of Christ to all in our community. I ask you to be generous with your prayers and with your material support for the mission of the Church here in our Archdiocese.”
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
Parish Ministry & Schools The Archdiocese provides additional funding for its parish schools, varied educational programs, and financial aid. Supported offices and ministries include: Department of Pastoral Ministry, Faith Formation, Youth & Young Adult, Office of Worship, Marriage and Family Life, Teacher Incentive Grants, Alliance for Mission District Schools and Child and Youth Protection. 21,923 Catholic School Students • 2,576 Teachers & Staff • 70 Teacher Incentive Grants • Premarital & Marriage Support • Office of Faith Formation • Office of Worship
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Social Ministry Through its variety of social ministries, the Archdiocese is able to thoughtfully engage with its diverse communities. Supported offices and ministries include: Hospital Chaplains, the Tribunal, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Human Life & Dignity, Prison Ministry, Ethnic Ministry, Chinese Ministry, Ministry for the Spanish Speaking, Filipino Ministry, Ecumenical and Interreligious Programs. Hospital & Prison Chaplains • Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministries • Respect Life • Restorative Justice • Ecumenical & Interreligious Programs • Ministry Support in 22 Languages FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL 2024 GOAL: $6,300,000 Universal Church & Communications Clergy Support Social Ministry Parish Ministry & Schools
Social Ministry $1,316,094 21%
$1,075,233 $2,199,122 $1,316,094 $1,709,551
Chart Title
Parish Ministry & Schools $1,709,551 27%
Clergy Support Universal Church & Communications Universal Church & Communications Clergy Support Social Ministry Parish Ministry & Schools $2,199,122 $1,075,233 35% 17%
CHANCERY BUDGET FOR 2024 SOURCES OF INCOME: $17,200,000
AAA 2024 37% $6,300,000
Other Sources 63% $10,900,000 Photo by Dennis Callahan
Clergy Support
Universal Church & Communications
Clergy Support helps those who care for us. It supports priests, deacons, and seminarians in their ministry. This ministry includes: Council of Priests, Vicar General, Vicar for Clergy, Clergy Education, Priests’ Education Fund, Permanent Diaconate, Diaconate Formation, Office of Consecrated Life, Office of Vocations, Priests’ Retirement Fund, Serra Clergy House and Priests’ Elder Care.
The Universal Church supports the larger work of the California Conference of Bishops, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Holy See. The Office of Communications provides internal constituent communications and external communications that fund media relations, public information and special projects.
Active Priests’ Support • Retired Priests’ Support • Seminarian Formation • Diaconate Formation
The Holy See • Catholic San Francisco • San Francisco Católico • SFArchdiocese.org & Social Media • California Catholic Conference of Bishops • U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
AAA 2024
Other Sources
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Family-centered faith formation Parish without a school uses “family catechesis” to minister to many age groups BY CHRISTINA GRAY Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org
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s he sees it, Jacob Tolentino’s own youthful faith formation — along with the Holy Spirit — led him to St. Bartholomew Parish in San Mateo, where he has served as religious education coordinator for five years. He was so familiar with the mission and methods of youth and young adult ministry that when he inquired about an opening for a youth ministry leader at “St. Bart” in 2018, he was hired on the spot. The fact that St. Bart is a parish without an affiliated school makes his role unique, and a bit more challenging, he said. “It’s easier, or at least more natural
for families to be involved in a parish school community,” said Tolentino, now 30. He became religious education coordinator in 2020 after earning a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at Santa Clara University. “Family catechesis” is the heart of the parish religious education program under his direction, he said, serving about 30 families. “My goal is simple. It’s to make disciples,” said Tolentino. The sacraments are natural “entry points” to youth ministry for children, he said. The young adults he serves are the parents of those children who often end up becoming more active in their own faith lives when they want their children to receive first Holy Communion, the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confirmation. “The parents are young, in their 30s or 40s,” said Tolentino. They come in for their child’s faith formation, but end up relearning or reconnecting to their faith through family faith formation activities. He said he plans “family nights” at least once a month, where families come together in the parish hall for dinner and take part in faith-building lessons. “The children and parents often learn, or relearn, how to pray, and also how to pray together,” said Tolentino. There is also a Family Mass or Youth Mass once a
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month, donation drives and Sunday socials, where “families can come in and serve together.” His greatest challenge is “competing against people’s schedules,” a challenge Tolentino said is not unique to St. Bart. Religious education is often at the “tail end” of the ranking of family priorities, including sports team schedules. What has helped him really turn the tide with families is what he called “personal accompaniment.” “I ask individual families, one at a time, to participate in various ways, directly, personally,” he said. It may be as simple as reaching out to one family to ask if they could be responsible for bringing snacks to a particular activity or event. “When you ask personally, that’s when people are more inclined to get involved,” he said. “Then they bring a friend, and next time that friend may bring a friend.” Tolentino said a spirit of inclusion and shared investment in the parish is vital to ministering to Catholics of all ages. He shared a story as evidence. In his first month as youth minister at St. Bart, a seventh grader he met as a fifth grader approached him. “He said, you may not remember me, but you made me feel at home and you sang with me at church,” said Tolentino. “He became my first youth group leader who started to bring his friends, and they brought their friends.” ■ SCAN TO LEARN HOW YOUR ANNUAL GIFT SUPPORTS PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION or visit https://sfarch.org/aaa/
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CALL TO SERVE
Consecrated men and women dedicate their lives to God’s people New director of the Office of Consecrated Life shares insight into beauty of vocation BY MARY POWERS Assistant director of communications and media relations. Office of Communications, Archdiocese of San Francisco
“I
can clearly see God’s nurturing throughout my life,” reflected Dominican Sister Diane Aruda, the new director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, as she reminisced about her vocation and her current role. Sister Diane’s vocational journey began in high school. Growing up surrounded by family in the Bay Area, she attended a coed Catholic high school in Oakland. When the time came for the senior retreat, the girls experienced a vocations talk with the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, who were teaching at the school, and the boys went with the Franciscans. “I can’t specifically remember what was said during the talk, but I felt as though God was eventually calling me to listen and consider religious life,” recounted Sister Diane. She tried to ignore the call, but it didn’t work, and so she began to explore a vocation to religious life.
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After praying about next steps, she decided to enter the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. “I loved our sisters in high school because they were themselves,” she said. “They each had their unique personalities, but they were always doing activities with us in addition to teaching. I was comfortable with them. So I explored a vocation with them.” When she told her mother about her decision to enter the order, she was supportive and not totally surprised. She told Sister Diane that she had prayed to have children, having struggled with many miscarriages, and promised God that “if I can have children, whatever they want to do in life, I will support them. I will let them be who they need to be.” Her father was supportive, but cried initially when she told him. From her graduating high school class, five women entered religious life; four joined the Dominican
Sisters of Mission San Jose and one entered the Holy Cross Sisters. Upon entering, she joined 14 other women in discernment. Throughout formation, 12 of the 14 women stayed in her “cohort” or class. Eleven remain today and they still stay in contact, always supporting each other, gathering each January in person to catch up, pray together and have an enjoyable weekend. When it came time to choose a ministry, Sister Diane was educated and prepared to teach, since she had taught catechism in high school and enjoyed the experience. Her first assignment was in Patterson, California, teaching at a Catholic school. “In those days, Patterson was still a town that was predominately Portuguese,” she said. “I am Portuguese, and so before I FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
Photo courtesy of Holy Angels School
Sister Olive Fuentes, OP, principal of Holy Angels School in Colma, is pictured with students on the first day of school.
Photo by Dennis Callahan
Archbishop Cordileone is pictured with the 2023 Jubilarians at the Mass for Consecrated Life on Oct. 1 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.
arrived, they already knew that the sister coming was Portuguese. When I went out on walks, the people in the town would come out of their houses and talk to me. It was a wonderful experience.” From there, Sister Diane continued to say yes to God’s call in her life, moving into leadership positions. She taught in Santa Barbara for four years and took on the role of principal for the next seven years. While serving as principal, she was asked by the director of schools for the congregation to serve as the director and supervisor of their elementary schools in California, Oregon, Mexico and Germany. She served in that role for 10 years. Sister Diane then got the call to CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
move to a new position within the order to accompany and mentor the sisters in temporary profession, eventually moving into further leadership roles within Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose for the next 21 years. After taking a short sabbatical and earning a master’s degree in counseling psychology, she was approached by Presentation Sister Rosina Controtto, the previous director of the Office of Consecrated Life, about taking her position. Sister Diane had served on the Council of Women Religious for the Archdiocese of San Francisco for a few years and, after talking with her congregational prioress, agreed to become the next director. ›
Photo by Francisco Valdez
Dominican Sister Diane Aruda, the new director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
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OFFICE OF CONSECRATED LIFE The Office of Consecrated Life, based at the pastoral center in San Francisco, is focused on serving and supporting professed religious and consecrated persons in the Archdiocese. This includes 36 congregations and 300 sisters, as well as consecrated virgins and hermits—two other vocations within the consecrated life of the Church. In the future, Sister Diane hopes to expand support for the more than 15 congregations of religious brothers. The ministries in which each congregation serves include Catholic schools, faith formation programs, medical professions, serving the poor, spiritual direction, pastoral work and parish administration. Support provided by the Archdiocese for the religious congregations include assistance with housing, immigration status, ministry questions, administrative support and training. The director is also the staff support for the Council of Women Religious in the Archdiocese. Rather than serve as a governance body, since each religious congregation governs its members, the council comprises women from 10 to 15 religious congregations who are contacts for their respective communities and serve the needs
of the consecrated religious women in the Archdiocese. They help plan the Mass for religious jubilarians each year and the barbeque for the homeless each spring. “They are very generous,” said Sister Diane. “They are very committed. They have years of experience.” VOCATIONS The Office of Consecrated Life also assists with questions from those discerning vocations to consecrated life, helping to connect them with spiritual directors and pointing them to religious communities they may be interested in contacting. What advice would Sister Diane give to those discerning? “First, find a good spiritual director,” she said. “You need a companion, someone who will listen to the movements of your vocational story and then support you in that accompaniment.” Second, pray to the Holy Spirit to enlighten and guide you. In addition, she encourages those discerning to talk with religious and vocation directors of congregations that interest the individual. “Sit and talk about the reality of what it means.” “If God is really calling you, you
will get direction, but you have to listen,” she said. “You have to learn how to listen deeply.” For those who know someone who may be a good fit for consecrated life, Sister Diane offers advise. “Develop a relationship with them; reflect with them; share with them why they would be a good fit for consecrated life. Perhaps no one has shared with them such insights.” Sister Diane has loved the Dominican way of life: the charism, ministries and religious community. “God is a faithful companion drawing us into relationship and into service of God’s people,” she said. “Prayer, study, community and service light the way as the vocation to religious life unfolds across time. It is a wonderful life!” ■ World Day for Consecrated Life falls on Feb. 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and was celebrated on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. Mass with Archbishop Cordileone at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OFFICE OF CONSECRATED LIFE or visit www.sfarchdiocese.org/ consecrated-life/
If God is really calling you, you will get direction, but you have to listen. You have to learn how to listen deeply.” DOMINICAN SISTER DIANE ARUDA new director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of San Francisco
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Photo by Dennis Callahan
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FAM ILY TRADITIONS
Cordileone family traditions for the Festa di San Giuseppe and its place in Sicilian culture BY MARY POWERS Assistant director of communications and media relations. Office of Communications, Archdiocese of San Francisco
I
n the Middle Ages, the Italian island of Sicily suffered a terrible drought, threatening crops and leaving its people desperate for help. In their time of need, they turned to St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father and guardian of the Redeemer and protector of the Holy Family. Through his intercession, rain came, and the island was saved from devastation. Since that time, Sicilians have honored St. Joseph on his solemnity (March 19) in gratitude for his intercession. Throughout the years, as Sicilians immigrated to the United States, their traditions around St. Joseph’s Day took root in many communities across the country. For example, stores in New Orleans decorate their windows with tributes to St. Joseph, and the city holds an annual parade in his honor. St. Joseph is also the patron saint of Buffalo, New York, where St. Joseph’s Day celebrations abound, and Sicilian Americans proudly celebrate long-held family traditions. St. Joseph holds a special place in the Archdiocese of San Francisco as well since he is one of our three patrons. In addition, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s family is from Sicily. The archbishop spoke with Catholic San Francisco about his favorite memories and family traditions surrounding the Festa di San Guiseppe.
ST. JOSEPH’S TABLE AND GUESTS OF HONOR The tradition of the “St. Joseph Table” harkens back to the drought of the Middle Ages, symbolically thanking St. Joseph for his intercession and for continuing to guard and provide for those who call upon him. The table is a makeshift shrine, usually a table in one’s home or in a church hall. Breads are placed upon the table shaped in various designs such as a sheaf of wheat, a cross or an image of St. Joseph himself. Also placed on the table are offerings of fruit, fava beans, biscotti and other foods and flowers. For the Cordileone family, the table was the center of the celebration, but only special guests were allowed to sit there—the Holy Family. Similar to the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, family members dressed as Jesus, Mary and Joseph would request entrance into
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Archbishop Cordileone (bottom right) pictured with his siblings at their family’s St. Joseph’s Day celebration the year he represented Jesus in the St. Joseph’s Table tradition.
the house and, after being denied admittance a few times (recalling the Christmas story), were then allowed entrance and joyously led to the table that held the various dishes prepared for the feast, decorated with shafts of wheat grown specifically for the solemnity of St. Joseph by Archbishop Cordileone’s grandmother. “The Holy Family had to eat something of every course before any of the guests could,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “The rest of the guests were seated in chairs all throughout the house.” The table also included special bread representing members of the Holy Family. “At the end of the table, there was an altar to St. Joseph,” said the Archbishop. “On the altar, there were three loaves of bread to represent the Holy Family: a crown for Jesus, a braid for Mary and a staff for Joseph.” FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
TREATS TO SHARE St. Joseph’s Day brings famous desserts to the table that one generally only sees once a year. In America, the most well-known is the Zeppole di San Giuseppe—choux pastry nests filled with pastry cream and topped with Amarena cherries. The Neapolitan treat popular in Southern Italy became attributed to St. Joseph over the years. The Cordileone festa included sfingi, fried ricotta donuts sprinkled with powdered sugar, a Sicilian tradition, as well as pignulata (fried dough balls with honey and sprinkled with candy) and an assortment of Sicilian cookies Archbishop Cordileone remembers: “Biscotti, cuccidate (fig cookies), moscardini and chocolate balls always vying for our attention and palates.”
Archbishop Cordileone’s mother, grandmother, and Great Aunt Maimie pictured with their St. Joseph’s Table in 1968.
ALWAYS REMEMBERING THE POOR A key part of the St. Joseph’s Day traditions include charity and feeding the poor. The St. Joseph’s Day tables began with Sicilians feeding poor children during the time of famine. As the practice continued, it became a custom to invite the children of the neighborhood to partake of the St. Joseph’s Table feast. Everyone was welcome to partake of the celebration. If for some reason, direct charity was not possible, money was given to charity to provide sustenance for those in need. ■
At the end of the table, there was an altar to St. Joseph. On the altar, there were three loaves of bread to represent the Holy Family: a crown for Jesus, a braid for Mary, and a staff for Joseph.” ARCHBISHOP SALVATORE CORDILEONE MEATLESS MEALS Traditional meals served for the Solemnity of St. Joseph did not contain meat since the celebration occurs during Lent and because it is traditionally held that fava beans were the only crop that survived during the Sicilian famine. While there are varying recipes for the pastas, most contain sardines and anchovies as well as currants or raisins, fennel, tomato paste and breadcrumbs, a reminder of St. Joseph’s workshop. Archbishop Cordileone shared memories of his favorite dishes. For the pastas, the Cordileone family had spaghetti with maccu, a sauce made from fava beans, and pasta with tomato sauce, sardines and fennel. As is tradition, the pasta was topped off with toasted breadcrumbs. Also present were frittati filled with spinach, broccoli, asparagus and mushrooms. The main course was always a special fried cod called baccala (dried and salted cod). CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
Archbishop Cordileone and his sister Theresa take viewers on a behind-the-scenes look at the St. Joseph’s Day Table tradition. We are blessed in the Archdiocese of San Francisco with a Sicilian American Archbishop who is willing to share his family’s traditions and recipes with Catholic San Francisco! SCAN TO SEE THE INTERVIEW WITH ARCHBISHOP CORDILEONE AND HIS SISTER, THERESA, WHO SHARE THEIR TIPS FOR YOUR FESTA DI SAN GIUSEPPE! or visit www.sfarch.org/st-josephs-day
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H I DDE N TREASURE
The riches of the Eucharist Editor’s Note: The following excerpt is taken from Louis Kaczmarek’s book “Hidden Treasure: The Riches of the Eucharist.” This is one of many Eucharistic reflections 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.
they cannot contemplate without fear because of its splendor. We become one with Him; we become one body and one flesh with Christ.… Jesus, for the burning love He bore us, wished to unite Himself so closely to us that we should become one and the same with Him for such is the dream of true lovers.”
W
here can we find God? This excellent volume provides the astounding answer: the pearl of great price, the hidden treasure, is Christ as He reveals Himself in the great sacrifice and sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We find God in the Christ of the Eucharist, the entire spiritual treasure of the Church. Today more than ever, people are looking for visible signs of commitment, love, trust, faith and devotion. No more visible sign could we have than the sign God has given to us in the Holy Eucharist. Such strong testimony includes sacred Scripture, the writings of the Fathers of the Church, the witness of countless saints whose dedicated Christian lives flowed from their great love for and devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and the statements of the Church’s magisterium. In an age of unbelief and so much self-seeking, in a world of distractions, confusion, tumult and indifference to the Church and her doctrines, the pages of this book call on Catholics to renew and rededicate themselves to a greater love, devotion and appreciation for Christ’s gift of the Eucharist. In particular, the reader is challenged to observe the devotional practice of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament as well as to receive Communion frequently and worthily.
HOLY COMMUNION No doubt, volumes could be written containing statements the saints and holy people have made about the effects of Holy Communion. Here are some of the more notable: St. John Chrysostom, called “the doctor of the Eucharist,” in one of the most forceful passages in his writings, said: “How many in these times say: would that I could gaze upon His form, His figure, His garment, His shoes! Lo! Thou seest Him, touchest Him, eatest Him. He gives Himself to thee, not merely to look upon, but even to touch, to eat, and to receive within….Consider at Whose table thou eatest! For we are fed with that which the angels view with trepidation and which
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St. Gertrude by Miguel Cabrera, 1763
ST. GERTRUDE: “Each time a person receives Holy Communion, their place in heaven becomes greater and their stay in purgatory is shortened.”
Abbot Blosius: “By the humble, frequent and devout reception of the Eucharist, a person will progress more speedily in divine union and holiness of life than by any other exercise.” St Pius X: “Holy Communion is the shortest and surest way to heaven.” FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
St. John Vianney: “Of all the sacraments, there is not one that can be compared to the Holy Eucharist…a soul may receive its Creator, and as often as it desires.” St. Peter Julian Eymard: “The Eucharist is the supreme proof of the love of Jesus. After this, there is nothing more but heaven….Be willing to sacrifice everything, be willing to do everything for the sake of one communion. A single communion is able to transform a sinner into a saint instantaneously because it is Jesus Christ Himself, author of all sanctity, who comes to you.” St. John Baptist de la Salle: “Be convinced that there is in all your life no more precious time than that of Holy Communion and the
THOMAS MERTON: “The most sanctifying action a Christian can perform is to receive Christ in the Eucharistic mystery.”
ST. MARY MAGDALEN OF PAZZI: “Sacrifice all earthly goods rather than a single communion.”
moments following, during which you have the happiness to be able to speak face to face, heart to heart, with Jesus.”
St. Denis: “The Sacrament of the Eucharist is far more powerful for the sanctification of souls than all other spiritual means of grace.”
ST. JOSEPH MOSCATI: “Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion is greater than having Him make a personal visit to our home. What preparations we make to welcome a guest into our home! Everything must be in order, the house spotless, and an air of harmony and happiness, peace and joy must be presented to our guest to make him or her feel welcome. What preparations would one make to welcome the governor of the state into one’s home because of his situation in life, his dignity of office. How much more so would one welcome the president of the United States because of his greater station in life, his greater dignity of office. What preparation would one make to receive the Holy Father the Pope, the vicar of Christ on earth, the most important office in the world? How much more, therefore, if our Lord were to come into our homes, He who loves us to life! This, then, can be the gauge of how we should prepare ourselves to receive our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. The reception of Jesus into our souls is so intimate and so sacred that no words can describe this visit.”
My Flesh is food indeed and My Blood is drink indeed.” JESUS CHRIST
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
SCAN TO VIEW OTHER COMPELLING CONTENT FROM CATHOLIC CULTURE or visit www.catholicculture. org/culture/library/
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ATON E M E NT
The transforming power of suffering love (part 2)
BY DR. MARGARET TUREK Academic dean and professor of theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California. She earned a doctorate in sacred theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Prior to her theological studies, she received spiritual formation as a Carmelite for six years. Her new book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian and Spiritual Theology,” is published by Ignatius Press.
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I
n a previous article, we discussed how God’s mercy signifies a special power of love, which prevails over the sins and infidelities of His people. God’s power of love in the face of sin is a forgiving power, but its outworking does not remain one-sided. Rather, the prophets make clear that the process of dealing with sin involves an interplay between God’s forgiving love, on whose side lies the initiative and ultimate power over sin, and His people’s contrite love, which cooperates by making atonement. God’s forgiving love takes full effect only by engendering a response of contrite love which yields to and comes to reflect (to mirror) the ardent passion of God’s love in bearing sin as atonement. This is a shared work of lovesuffering (a work of “suffering through” the effects of sin) that begins with the person who forgives. Next, we turn to the event of Christ’s cross, “the great mystery of atonement” – when God sent His beloved Son to become the Pierced One (cf. Zec 12:10; Jn 19:37) who bears away the sin of the whole world (cf. 1 Jn 2:2). If we look at the cross event from the perspective of the Old Testament, we will see that its teaching about the bilateral action
between God and His covenant partner is not annulled on Good Friday. The difference lies elsewhere. In the Old Testament, sin is borne by one who is no longer a sinner; it is borne by a contrite and repentant heart – whereas in the New, it is borne by one who, as the absolute Son, never was a sinner. On Good Friday, the bilateral action of forgiveness-atonement is raised to the height of a Trinitarian event; it now unfolds within the interplay of love that exists between God the Father and God the Son incarnate. Taken up into the sacred heart of the Son, sin can be borne there only as the unfathomable suffering of His love. There sin is reversed and thus transformed into the suffering of the Son, into the pain of His filial love. A key element of this understanding of atonement sees the Son’s passion of love in bearing sin as standing in relationship to the Father’s passion of love in the form of forgiveness. Both forgiveness and atonement are achieved in concert (jointly) by way of bilateral action. The Father’s forgiving love is actively at work in the human heart of His Son, to empower him to imitate it in confronting and annihilating sin by changing sin into FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
the suffering form of filial love. For this reason, we must not imagine that the Son accomplishes atonement all by Himself, without the loving involvement and personal accompaniment of the Father. When the Son says of the Father, “He never leaves me alone” (Jn 8:29), He is also thinking of His atoning passion, when the Father will remain always with Him. During the cross event, the Son’s sacred heart is the place where the Father’s forgiving love is continually operative, moving and inspiring the Son to bear the sin of the world until it is “suffered through” once for all (Heb 9:26). With this in mind, we can understand something Pope Benedict XVI said in his last public interview before his death. He took the occasion to speak about “the suffering Father, who, as Father, shares inwardly the sufferings of the Son.” “The Father,” he says, “supports the cross and the Crucified, bends lovingly over Him and the two are, as it were, together on the cross. … It is not a matter of a cruel justice, not a matter of the Father’s fanaticism, but rather of the true overcoming of evil that ultimately can be realized only in the suffering of love.’” This unusual-sounding language gets at an important theological truth: the suffering of love that overcomes evil is an act of a divine person –
the face of this rejection, says Ratzinger, “God ought to revoke Israel’s election …, but ‘My heart recoils within me, my compassion grows warm and tender’ (Hos 11:8).” God’s love is not withdrawn despite being wounded. From this vantage point, Ratzinger directs us to see “the pierced Heart of the crucified Son” as the supreme manifestation of the suffering of “the Heart of God.” “God,” he says, “is a sufferer only because He is a lover. The entire theme of the suffering God flows from that of the loving God and always points back to it.” To be sure, Pope Benedict is not alone in affirming that God, in the sovereign freedom of His passion of love, allows Himself to be “pained” on account of sin, though in a manner that is free from change and manifests His transcendence and freedom. Pope Benedict’s predecessor, Pope St. John Paul II, asserts this boldly and unambiguously in multiple encyclicals. But every penitent acknowledges the same truth in making his or her act of contrition: “O heavenly Father, I am heartily sorry for having offended You.” God does not take our refusal of His love lying down. In the encyclical “Dives in Misericordia,” John Paul II tells us that the loving Father “suffers” in a divine manner when His beloved children distance
The Father supports the cross and the Crucified, bends lovingly over Him and the two are, as it were, together on the cross. … It is not a matter of a cruel justice, not a matter of the Father’s fanaticism, but rather of the true overcoming of evil that ultimately can be realized only in the suffering of love.’” POPE BENEDICT XVI the Son of God – in whom the Father is present, giving and revealing Himself through his Son’s filial love-suffering. Noteworthy too is that Pope Benedict makes the revelation of God’s passion of love a central theme of his first encyclical, “Deus caritas est” (God is Love). Among many passages, this single line sums up Benedict’s teaching: God “is a lover with all the passion of a true love.” Also, in an important essay on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ratzinger begins in the Old Testament, where he describes Hosea 11 as “the Canticle of the Love of God,” in which “the drama of the divine Heart” is revealed. The drama centers on “the pain felt by God’s Heart on account of the sins” of His people, sins that amount to their rejection of God’s love. In CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
themselves from Him. “In the parable of the prodigal son,” he says, “the son had not only squandered the part of the inheritance belonging to him but had also hurt and offended his father. ... It was bound to make him (the father) suffer. ... There is no doubt that in this simple but penetrating analogy the figure of the father reveals to us God as Father.” And he returns to this subject in his encyclical “Dominum et vivificantem” which I here quote at length: “It is not possible to grasp the evil of sin in all its sad reality without “searching the depths of God.” [If the world is to be convinced concerning sin (cf. Jn 16:8–9), it will] have to mean revealing suffering. Revealing the pain, unimaginable and ›
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Our one task in life is to heal the eyes of our heart so that we can see God” (Sermon 88) – see the God who is love in the face of the cross event. And see the cross event as a dramatic epiphany, shaped in response to sin, of the (staggering) love of God for us, while we were yet sinners.” ST. AUGUSTINE
inexpressible, on account of sin [which Scripture, notwithstanding certain anthropomorphic formulations] seems to glimpse in the “depths of God” and in a certain sense in the very heart of the ineffable Trinity. The Church, taking her inspiration from revelation, believes and professes that sin is an offense against God. What corresponds, in the inscrutable intimacy of the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, to this “offense,” this rejection of the Spirit who is love and gift? The concept of God as the necessarily most perfect being certainly excludes from God any pain deriving from deficiencies; but in the “depths of God” there is a Father’s love that, faced with man’s sin, in the language of the Bible reacts so deeply.… (Furthermore) the Sacred Book speaks to us of a Father who feels compassion for man, as though sharing his pain. In a word, this inscrutable and indescribable fatherly “pain” will bring about above all the wonderful economy of redemptive love in Jesus Christ … in whose humanity the “suffering” of God is concretized. If sin caused suffering, now the pain of God in Christ crucified acquires through the Holy Spirit its full human expression. Thus there is a paradoxical mystery of love: in Christ there suffers a God who has been rejected by His own creature: “They do not believe in me!”; but at the same time, … [i] n the depth of the mystery of the Cross, love is at work, [fatherly love and filial love // forgiving love and atoning love, which
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restores the broken reciprocity, and] brings man back again to share in the life that is in God Himself.” For both popes, the Son’s passion of love – made visible in His pierced human heart – does not merely block or obscure our vision of God; rather, it is a concrete human image or representation of “the very heart of the ineffable Trinity.” This understanding brings to mind a key text in the Book of Zechariah (starting at 12:10) – a text which has an important place in the Gospels too, specifically in St. John’s passion narrative (cf. Jn 19:37; Rv 1:7). The text in Zechariah presents the death of the “pierced one.” The “pierced one” is a prophetic figure who is rejected by his own people, that is, by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Significantly, in the Old Testament, it belongs to the mission of a prophet to serve as God’s image in his confrontation with sin. God enables the prophet “to enter into the divine subjectivity (inner attitude) and experience the sins of the people and their rejection of God from God’s point of view” (Anatolios). Just as the prophets Hosea and Jeremiah are drawn into God’s experience of being rejected by His people (Hos 9:7; Jer 15:17; 16:5), so here the unnamed prophetic figure makes visible or concretizes the pain of sin from the point of view of God (from “the depths of God”). This interpretation finds support “in all the notable ancient versions, (where) the one who is pierced is YHWH himself” (Anatolios). The ancient versions of Zechariah 12:10 read: “They will look on Me [the LORD] whom they have pierced.” Intimated here is that the unnamed figure represents YHWH, the LORD, who is “pierced” by the people’s rejection. FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
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The early Christians, of course, identified the “pierced one” with Jesus Christ, the Son who is sent to be the Father’s definitive revealer. “No one has ever seen God. It is the only begotten Son, who is closest to the Father’s heart, who has made Him known” (Jn 1:18; cf. 14:9-11). The Son, the true “pierced one,” makes known the Father, whose love is all-powerful in the face of sin. Far from being weakened by the hurt of rejection, God’s love proves unfailing, unimpaired and undiminished through whatever “passion of love” God would freely endure. And please keep in mind: this revelation of God’s all-powerful passion of love is in the service of our salvation. As we noted in Part 1, the disclosure of God’s passion of love initiates and accompanies the whole process of atonement. More precisely, it has the power to induce repentance in the beholder and to elicit a mirroring response unto sin’s atonement. This pattern of reciprocity is at play here too in Zechariah where the “pierced one,” in being beheld as an icon of God’s “pierced” love, is the means by which sinners are moved to conversion and a contrite willingness to atone. The catechism says much the same: “Conversion is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our hearts return to Him. …. It is in discovering the greatness of God’s love that our heart is shaken by the horror and weight of sin and begins to fear offending God by sin and being separated from Him. The human heart is converted by looking upon Him whom our sins have pierced” (Par. 1432). With this, we return to St. Augustine’s exhortation: “Our one task in life is to heal the eyes of our heart so that we can see God” (Sermon 88) – see the God who is love in the face of the cross event. And see the cross event as a dramatic epiphany, shaped in response to sin, of the (staggering) love of God for us, while we were yet sinners.” ■
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Editorial note: This essay contains excerpts from Margaret Turek’s book, “Atonement: Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian and Spiritual Theology,” courtesy of Ignatius Press, all rights reserved. https://ignatius.com/atonement-atp/ SCAN TO JOIN MARGARET TUREK FOR AN ONLINE COURSE, “ATONEMENT: THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF SUFFERING LOVE,” sponsored by the Archdiocese, meeting on Tuesdays 7–8 p.m., Feb. 20, 27 and March 5, 12, 19, 2024 or visit https:// sfarchdiocese.org/ospm/ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
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LOCAL NEWS
Missionary call summons Daughters of St. Paul to Southern California, leaving indelible spiritual mark on the Archdiocese of San Francisco BY MARY POWERS Assistant director of communications and media relations. Office of Communications, Archdiocese of San Francisco
St. Paul’s life was marked by travel and missionary work, founding Christian communities in Greece and Asia Minor and encouraging Christians in various communities by writing to them and praying for their flourishing. Today, his spiritual daughters live out this same call, fostering spiritual communities that spread the good news of the Gospel through various mediums including books, blogs, social media and videos. It is in the spirit of St. Paul that the Daughters of St. Paul are redesigning their presence throughout the United States to bring the message of Christ to others. With heavy heart, the sisters closed their Menlo Park bookstore, leaving the Archdiocese of San Francisco after 58 years of service — moving to Los Angeles to strengthen their presence in the Southwest and the state of California. Like St. Paul, they made an indelible mark on the archdiocesan community and plan to stay in touch with their “Pauline Cooperators” present here to ensure the spiritual work continues. On Jan. 13, a Mass of thanksgiving was held at St. Pius X Catholic Church to thank the sisters for their service in the Archdiocese and to pray for them as they continue to work in the state of California. Sisters from across the country,
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Pictured with Archbishop Cordileone are the Daughters of St. Paul with their Bay Area collaborators.
including their provincial superior, Sister Donald Maria Lynch, flew in from Boston, to join in prayer and celebration. In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone thanked the sisters for their spiritual legacy in the Archdiocese: “We thank you for saying ‘yes’ to your vocation, for consecrating yourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ in the community of the Daughters of St. Paul, espousing Him as your sole love and sharing Him with the world. While [your] physical absence will sadden us, [your] spiritual presence remains constant and your witness and ministry will continue to contribute to and enrich the life of the Church. With profound gratitude we assure you of our continued prayers, that God will reward you for your goodness to others. Thank you!” In her remarks at the end of Mass,
Sister Donald spoke on the hope that the spiritual seeds sown by the sisters would come to fruition. “We are immensely grateful to have been a part of the faith life of the community here in northern California for so many decades. And though it is with profound sadness that we close our Menlo Park center, we are also filled with hope because we have been privileged to witness the seeds of faith planted in the lives of so many people. And we know and believe that God is faithful in His promises and will bring to fulfillment the good work that He has begun.” Following the Mass, the sisters were joined by collaborators, friends and parishioners at a reception in the parish hall. Stories were shared of the impact the sisters made in the community, and the sisters shared their promise of prayers and encouragement to those present. FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
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ACROSS 2 The Eucharist is truly Jesus’ [____].
5 “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | FEBRUARY 2024
[_____], you have no life in you.” John 6:53 7 An act of religion offered to God in acknowledgment of His supreme perfection and dominion. 8 The Eucharist is also the [_________ ] of the Church CCC 1368. 9 “Take, [___]; this is my body.” 10 The doctrine of the [____________] asserts that in the Holy Eucharist Jesus is literally and wholly present—body and blood, soul and divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine. 12 At this event, the words Jesus spoke were literal, “this is my body... this is my blood.” 15 [Jesus said,] “He who eats my flesh and
drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” DOWN 1 In John 6:51 Jesus says “I am the bread come down from heaven and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the [_____].” 3 The name given to the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar under its twofold aspect of sacrament and Sacrifice of the Mass, and in which Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearances of bread and wine. 4 The consecrated [____] is the body and blood of Christ. 6 The Eucharist is consecrated by the
power of the Holy Spirit and the presiding priest’s saying the essential words of [____________](CCC 1353). 11 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 13 The faithful reception of the Eucharist is necessary for [_________ ] for those who have reached the age of reason, as Jesus makes clear in John 6. 14 During the Mass, the bread and [____] are changed into the body and blood of Christ. ANSWERS FOUND ON PAGE 39
Crossword provided by Visit catholic.com to search the world’s largest database 37 of Catholic Answers.
LOCAL NEWS
Thousands rally at Walk for Life West Coast BY VALERIE SCHMALZ Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Human Life & Dignity.
Undaunted by rain and the dismal political outlook in California, tens of thousands of prolife supporters turned out for the 20th annual Walk for Life West Coast on Jan. 20 in San Francisco. “We stand because we know that life is greater than death,” Live Action founder Lila Rose, a Californian, told the crowd, many holding umbrellas against intermittent showers. Just months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion to the states, California voters in November 2022 approved Proposition One, a state constitutional amendment enshrining abortion as a right up until the moment of birth. Even though San Francisco has nine abortion facilities, and California has about 150, she urged hope. “There are thousands of prolife families in California, and millions of prolife people in California,” said Rose, who is pregnant with her third child. “More than 32,000 children have been saved from abortion in the U.S. since the June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, So don’t let anyone tell you that darkness is winning. Thirty-two thousand boys and girls have a future.” The day began with a Walk for Life Mass celebrated by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. The Archbishop was joined in the sanctuary by Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa, and numerous priests helped distribute Holy Communion to the packed cathedral. Priests heard confessions before and during the Mass. Archbishop Cordileone also opened the Walk for Life rally at Civic Center with a prayer, thanking God for the victory of overturning Roe v. Wade and asked for help bringing respect for all human life to the whole country, praying, “Endow us with the wisdom, perseverance and determination to build a culture of life in our country so that abortion will be unthinkable and undesired all throughout our land.” SCAN TO READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENT AND EXPLORE THE PHOTO GALLERY or visit https://sfarch.org/tens-of-thousandsrally-at-20th-annual-walk-for-life-west-coast/
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CATHOLIC QUIZ ANSWERS
How well do you know the Catholic faith? OPEN THIS QR CODE FOR COMPREHENSIVE ANSWERS or visit https://sfarchdiocese. org/february-2024-catholic-quiz/ 1. To guarantee your salvation, you must c. This is the correct answer: to get to heaven, you must die with sanctifying grace in your soul. If you die without accepting that grace, you go to hell. If you die in the state of sanctifying grace with some attachment to sin, you go to purgatory first, to rid yourself of that attachment. After that you head to heaven. 2. A nun e. Correct, because all the other possible answers are wrong. 3. Papal infallibility means d. Correct, as defined formally at Vatican I (1870) 4. Contraception is b. Correct, as explained in Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae. It is immaterial that most Catholics don’t practice what the Church has always preached. Truth is not determined by majority vote. 5. Which of these is an accurate definition of heresy? c. Correct. Adoptionism was a second-century heresy that held that Jesus became the Son of God at His baptism, His resurrection, or His ascension (theories differed). This implied that He did not start out as God and therefore was only a creature, even if the most exalted. Adoptionism was condemned at the First Council of Nicaea in 325.
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SAVE THE DATES! Come out and join us SCAN TO SEE THE COMPREHENSIVE CALENDAR OF EVENTS or visit sfarch. org/events Feb. 18: First Sunday of Lent and Rite of Election The Rite of Election for candidates for Confirmation and catechumens coming into the Church this Easter will take place on Feb. 18 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at 4 p.m. Feb. 24: Archdiocesan Women’s Conference Join the Archdiocese of San Francisco, along with St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, for the 2024 Archdiocesan Women’s Conference on Feb. 24 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in San Francisco. The theme this year is: Blessed Art Thou: Women of the Eucharist in the Modern World. The day will begin with Mass with Archbishop Cordileone, followed by talks given by Gloria Purvis, host of the Gloria Purvis Podcast with America Magazine and speaker at the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress. The conference will also include time for Eucharistic Adoration and Sacrament of Reconciliation. Lunch is provided. www.sfarch.org/womensconference March 9: Converging Roads Bioethics Conference Converging Roads is a regional conference series offering continuing education for health
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Photo by Dennis Callahan
February 24 : Chinese New Year Mass Join the Archdiocesan Chinese Ministry for their annual Chinese New Year Mass and Dinner. The Mass will take place at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco at 2:30 p.m. with dinner following in the Events Center. More information can be found at: https://www.sfchinesecatholic.org. care professionals that equips them to practice the highest ethical and medical standards of their profession. Sponsored by the St. John Paul II Foundation, Archdiocese of San Francisco, Catholic Medical Association’s San Francisco Guild and St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, the next conference will take place at St. Patrick’s Seminary on March 9 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Find more information at: https:// forlifeandfamily.org/events/cr24sfca/.
Catholic Men’s Conference: Called to Lead The Archdiocese will hold its annual Catholic Men’s Conference on March 9 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Redwood City from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Come be inspired, challenged and encouraged by Archbishop Cordileone and our outstanding speakers including Jesse Romero, Father Sebastian A. Carnazzo, and Dr. Scott French. Register at: https://sfarch.org/event/ catholic-mens-conference/. FEBRUARY 2024 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
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2024 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal WAYS TO GIVE TO THE AAA • Online giving (sfarch.org/aaa) • Using the enclosed brochure • Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds • Matching Gifts Your support of the Annual Appeal has a great impact on many lives. All gifts are greatly appreciated. For your convenience you may make your contribution over the course of the year.
We strongly encourage you to make your gifts & pledge payments online at SFArch.org/AAA. For more information, please contact your parish or the Office of Mission Advancement at (415) 614-5583 or development@sfarch.org.
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