By Catholic San Francisco Staff

Jurors in the San Francisco trial of a civil lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of San Francisco began to hear testimony March 21 to determine a damages award for a plaintiff who was molested as a teenager in the early 1970s by a priest serving in San Jose.

On March 18, jurors voted 10-2 that the Archdiocese of San Francisco should have known that Father Joseph Pritchard, who died in 1988, had been molesting victims at St. Martin of Tours parish where the priest was pastor in the 1970s.

The lawsuit is one of about 150 filed against northern California Catholic dioceses, and one of about 750 filed statewide against Catholic dioceses, under a 2002 state law, which removed, for one year (2003), the statute of limitations for seeking civil damages against employers of alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse.

Virtually all of the lawsuits filed under the law are against Catholic dioceses. Stockton Attorney, Laurence Drivon, who helped write the 2002 law, represents plaintiffs in about two-thirds of the cases filed in northern California.

The trial, which began March 7, has been closely watched because it is the first of its kind and its outcome could have broad implications for pending lawsuits.

Attorney James Goodman, representing the Archdiocese of San Francisco, told jurors that there was no doubt that the victim, Dennis Kavanaugh, should be compensated for his suffering, but that amount should be reasonable. The Archdiocese, which at the time oversaw St. Martin of Tours, is not contesting that Pritchard molested a number of boys, including Kavanaugh, at the parish between 1971 –1973.

Archbishop William J. Levada said, “The Church has compassion for abuse victims and recognizes its responsibility to help in their healing process, concurrent with its responsibility to carry on the ministries and social services of the Church.”

Archbishop Levada, in a Feb. 18 letter to parishioners, pointed to the trial and raised a warning about the potential cost of a settlement or jury award for damages.

In his Feb. 25 letter, Archbishop Levada said, “The Catholic bishops of California have spoken often of their desire to reach fair and reasonable settlements with victims of abuse by clergy or church employees. We have recognized our moral obligation to the past – to make sure we provide the care and support that will help them heal. We also have a moral obligation to the future – to make sure that the parishes, schools, day care centers, clinics, and other social services people depend on are there and available for all who need them.”

On the Street Where You Live

By Tom Burke

Prayers please for longtime City firefighter, John Voelker, who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and has been in a coma for almost two months at San Francisco General Hospital. The Archbishop Riordan grad and Church of the Visitacion parishioner has been very active in the charitable causes of the fire department most recently heading up its Christmas toy program…. Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory senior, Natalie Martinez has been named Top Wrestler in California. Natalie attended San Francisco’s St. Anthony’s – Immaculate Conception Elementary School. Her proud folks are Patricia and Enrique, a 1975 graduate of Sacred Heart High School which 12 years later became SHCP. Natalie’s twin sister, Nina, is also a wrestler. Younger sister Nerissa, is a freshman at SHCP. In a recent match against Junipero Serra High School, Natalie became the first SHCP female wrestler to defeat a male opponent. “Natalie is one of the toughest wrestlers, male or female, I’ve ever coached at SHCP,” said coach, Jason Gor….
Jennifer Zeidan, a senior and student body prez at Mercy High School, San Francisco, has been selected to appear in The Next Step Magazine as a “super teen.” Some two-dozen California students were recognized by the publication for academic achievement and volunteer community services. Mercy High School recently hosted a Veterans of Foreign Wars broadcast speech contest. Students prepare a 4-5 minute speech on a pre-selected topic, record it on tape, and submit it for judging. Mercy junior, Casara Clark, took San Francisco honors with her talk on Celebrating Veterans’ Service. She was awarded certificates of honor from the offices of Supervisor Fiona Ma and State Assemblyman Leland Yee. Runners-up from Mercy included juniors, Marie Vives, Adela Popilkova and Victoria Chasova….Happy 50 years married to Mary and Ed Hupke who renewed their vows in November at Immaculate Conception Church in San Francisco where they were married half-a-century ago. Helping commemorate the occasion were daughters Debi Johnson with husband, Eric, and Su Dong with husband, Steve, and sons, Tim with his wife, Sandra, and Doug, with his wife, Elena. Also cheering the couple on were eight grandchildren plus friends and family including Ed’s brother, Pete, and his wife, Carol, who filled us in. Just a coupla’ months away is happy anniversary to Carol and Pete, who mark 49 years of marriage July 29th….
Mighty proud are Maureen and Bob Sheehan whose daughter, Erin, will graduate “summa cum laude from Notre Dame de Namur University” in a coupla months. The family, longtime parishioners of San Mateo’s St. Gregory Parish, have a heritage deeply rooted in the Emerald Isle, Bob said. Maureen’s grandfather, Philip McGuire, in fact, was a contemporary and friend of renowned labor priest, Father Peter Yorke. Bob’s great grandfather, Luke Fallon, settled in Marin County on his arrival from the auld sod keeping a dairy farm near Tomales in a town now known by the family name. Maureen, by the way, is development director and 1st grade aide at St. Timothy Elementary School. Congrats to Maureen and Bob who will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary August 7th….
Checks totaling more than $3,500 were presented to Archbishop William J. Levada by the Serra Club of the Golden Gate at the group’s annual Crab Bash at St. Mary’s Cathedral March 5. The money will help in the areas of seminarian tuition and special needs with $1,000 earmarked for the vocation office of the Archdiocese headed by Father Tom Daly who also attended the event. Club prez, Margaret Diedrich, presented the gifts. Thanks to Vivian Mullaney for the good news… Remember, no CSF next week! Happy Easter!… Remember, too, that this is an empty space without ya’! Mail items to “Street,” One Peter Yorke Way, SF 94109 or email to burket@sfarchdiocese.org. Pix should be hard copy or electronic jpeg at 300 dpi. You can reach me at (415) 614-5634.

St. Gabriel advances to state in Academic Decathlon

Students from fifteen diocesan elementary schools participated in the Ninth Annual Junior High Academic Decathlon, March 5, at Notre Dame High School in Belmont. The sixth, seventh and eighth graders competed individually on tests in eight academic subjects and as a team for a logic competition and Super Quiz.

Saint Gabriel School in San Francisco took home first place overall this year and will represent the Archdiocese of San Francisco in a statewide competition to be held May 7. St. Matthew School, San Mateo, placed second overall and Our Lady of Mercy, Daly City, placed third.

First Place – St. Gabriel

Hanna Wirshing, Monica Joe, Clifford Yu, Dermot MeElhennon, Chris Leung, Daniela Yuschenkoff, Emma Coghlan, Roy Lee, Stephanie Joe, Claire McCartney. Teachers are Mara Hill, Rick Moseley, Lynn Grier and Pat Tucker. Principal is Mercy Sister Mary Pauline Borghello.

Second Place – St. Matthew

Christine Kalife, Ali Gaspirini, Jennifer Re, Rosie Ceja, Laura West, Caroline Vinnicombe, Alex Nguyen, Sydney West, Alex Wall, Daniel Singer, Rachel Cunningham, and Alexandra Santiago. Teachers are Sarah Peterson, Sarah West and Jessica Andrews. Principal is Kenneth Boegel.

Third Place – Our Lady of Mercy

Sydnie Ann Chy, Brandon Bonzani, Arielle Cruz, Kim Achacoso, Karl Balitaan, Jason Koo, Gabriela Reyes, Scott Boudewyn, Ravi Patel, Christian Reyes, Marian Manapsal, Grace DeLos Santos, Christian Lee, Joseph Estalilla, Timothy O’Reilly, Joseph Fangon, Alexa Manalansan, Alyssa Choo, Catherine Aguilar-Custodio, Anthony Lee, Michael Villanueva, Nathan Gee. Teachers Jean Anderson and Sue Anderson. Principal is Arlene Fife.

Team Competitions
Logic

First Place: St. Gabriel School
Second Place: St. Charles, San Carlos
Third Place: School of the Epiphany

Super Quiz
First Place: Good Shepherd School
Second Place: St. Gabriel School
Third Place: Nativity School
Individual events
Current Events
1st: St. Matthew School, Laura West
2nd: Our Lady of Mercy School, Ravi Patel
3rd: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Danny Lewin
English
1st: St. Gabriel School, Monica Joe
2nd: School of the Epiphany, Jari-Lee Tolentino
3rd: Nativity School, Chantal Guegler

Mathematics
1st: Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires, Janice Lam
2nd: Good Shepherd School, Connor Ahlbach
3rd: School of the Epiphany, Pamela Chew

Religion
1st: St. Matthew School, Rosalinda Ceja
2nd: St. Gabriel School, Daniela Yuschenkoff
3rd: Our Lady of Mercy School, Joseph Estalilla

Literature
1st: St. Gabriel School, Hannah Joy Wirshing
2nd: St. Pius School, Kevin Wilkins
3rd: Nativity School, Kelly Lippitt

Fine Arts
1st: St. Gabriel School, Stephanie Wong
2nd: Nativity School, Matthew Ferranti
3rd: Our Lady of Mercy School, Alexa Manalansan
Science
1st: Holy Name School, Nick Jose
2nd: St. Gabriel School, Chris Leung
3rd: St. Pius School, Evan Cate

Social Studies
1st: Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires, Margaret Ryan
2nd: St. Matthew School, Sydney West
3rd: St. Gabriel School, Dermot McElhennon
Notre Dame de Namur Sisters plan memorial service for nun slain in Brazil

By Sharon Abercrombie

Dave Stang plans to attend his sister’s memorial service at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont April 2, but pieces of his heart will be back in the dark, wet, Brazilian rain forest where Sister Dorothy Stang was slain Feb. 12.

“I couldn’t feel closure until I went to her grave, saw the places and the people she worked with,” said Stang during a telephone interview with Catholic San Francisco from his home in Palmer Lake, Colorado. In Brazil, he stood beneath two beautiful trees — a mahogany and a mango – which now form a sheltering roof over the Notre Dame de Namur Sister’s grave.

Two men shot Sister Dorothy, 74, in the face and head as she walked to a meeting with a group of small farmers who had been burned out of their land by illegal loggers and ranchers. The previous day, she had taken food and clothing to the suffering families, a typical gesture.

She was on her way to a planning meeting with her colleagues when she was killed. Two men with guns stepped onto the jungle path. “Today you die,” they said.

According to a witness at the scene, the silver-haired nun reacted by pulling a Bible from her knapsack. She began reading Jesus’ Eight Beatitudes to her killers.

Sister Dorothy had lived in Brazil’s Amazon region for nearly four decades, working to protect the land rights of peasants and speaking out concerning the ecological dangers of deforestation. Three men have since been taken into custody for the crime and a fourth, a prominent rancher, is still being sought. Sister Stang had been on a land grabbers’ death list for years. The day of her murder, the bounty had grown to $19,000.

Dave Stang said jungle troops continue to stand watch over his sister’s grave to prevent it from being desecrated by those who rejoice in her death.

In the days since Sister Dorothy Stang’s murder, the government has sent 2,000 troops to keep order in the area, announced a ban on logging in 20 million acres along the Amazon highway, and established two additional federally protected areas of the forest.

Stang recalled the grief stricken peasants who gathered around him during his nine-day journey last month with a CNN crew and a group of independent filmmakers doing a documentary on his sister’s work. He was wearing a T-shirt decorated with her photo. It became a magnet, drawing the crowds to him like butterflies to a rainforest flower.

He visited some of the 21 outpost stations she created throughout the forest on a large, state-run sustainable development project designated for small farmers. He described them as small forest-style buildings where the people can gather for adult education in sustainable farming, bible study, liturgy, and women’s health classes.

“These places just grew organically,” said Stang, who taught sustainable farming in Africa for a decade while working as a Maryknoll missionary.

According to Dave Stang, his oldest sister had the mind of both a farmer and an engineer. Last year, she had devised a makeshift, forest-style dam to bring water to run machinery in a flourmill. One night marauders blew up the dam; Sister Stang started over with the project the next day.

She was teaching the people how to make and market baking flour from bananas. She was also helping local women to start a business processing and selling dried fruit.

“Every place she went, she’d leave something of herself for her friends,” Dave Stang discovered. In one of the huts, he found a painting. With a few brilliant colors and simple brush strokes, she had articulated the depths of her spirituality: that everything in creation is brimming with Divine aliveness. The painting shows a tree in the Rain Forest, at night. What captured Dave Stang’s attention “were the many light-filled beams jumping all around in the forest.” He remembered the painting when he saw his sister’s grave, situated in the heart of the forest, near one of her outposts.

“Dot” Stang was anything but your sweet little nun, her brother said. “She had this brilliant smile, this stubborn chin that stuck out, and she wouldn’t take no for an answer.” “These people have a right to be here,” she would say repeatedly of the landless farmers.

For the past four decades, Sister Stang had worked for the Catholic Church’s Pastoral Commission, a human rights group. Notre Dame Sister Joan Krimm of Cincinnati, a former co-worker of Sister Dorothy, said the nun decided to relocate to the Amazon after the Brazilian government opened up the area to any small farmer who wanted to live there.

“But when she realized that the government wasn’t providing newcomers with deeds to their land, she began working with the government to ensure that it happened.” said Sister Krimm. Dave Stang added that his sister “knew the law.” When land poachers came in with their illegal deeds, “she’d open that knapsack of hers and read them the legal documents which gave small farmers their property rights.”

“She has become an enormous symbol and a great protection for the forest,” said Stang. “I believe that she will do for the Amazon what Joan of Arc did for France.”

Norma Stang, another of the nine family siblings and a Sacramento resident, says she is unable to get the brutality of the killing out of her mind. “I keep thinking of those poor people who witnessed it, and what they must be suffering.”

Some of them called her “Mother,” said Norma Stang. “Imagine what it must be like to see your mother shot.”

“My heart breaks now for the Brazilian people she left behind,” she added. “They are devastated. They didn’t want a martyr; they wanted her alive.”

At least three members of Sister Dorothy Stang’s family are expected to attend her memorial service in Cunningham Memorial chapel on the Notre Dame University campus in Belmont, April 2. The service, which is open to the public, will begin at 1:30 p.m. Sister Stang, a member of the Cincinnati Province of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, is a 1964 graduate of Notre Dame de Namur.

For further information, call Sister Claudia McTaggart at 650 593-2045, ext. 358.

After more than six decades, Sisters of Mercy leave Holy Name Parish

By Tom Burke

While the caring and rich tradition of the Sisters of Mercy will live on at Holy Name Parish and School, the Sisters themselves will no longer be there. A Mass commemorating their service to the Sunset District faith community was celebrated March 6.

The Sisters of Mercy were honored for more than six decades of service at Holy Name of Jesus Parish and School. Sister M. Edith Hurley, Sister M. Edwin Byrne, Sister M. Georgina Maher and Flora Batterton, the last Mercy Sisters to reside at Holy Name, moved to the Mercy Sisters’ Motherhouse and Marian Convent retirement facility in Burlingame March 21.

“The Mercy Sisters laid the foundation of good Catholic primary education at Holy Name,” said Father Donald D’Angelo, pastor. “We’ll miss them very much.” Father D’Angelo grew up in Holy Name and as a seminarian remembers the support he received from the Sisters in the parish. “I’m very grateful for that time in my life,” he said. “Holy Name has been known as a source for vocations to religious life and the priesthood and I am sure that the Sisters’ example played a major role in that.”

“We are encouraging our parishioners – past and present –as well as our alumni to consider making thanksgiving donations to the Mercy Sisters Retirement Fund in Burlingame,” Father D’Angelo said.

“I still follow the Mercy Sisters’ tradition in everything,” said Noreen Murphy, the first lay principal of Holy Name and now in her twentieth year in the role. “The Sisters left a model to strive for high academics, of course, as well as total commitment to the Church and the teachings of Jesus. We will not let them be forgotten.”

“We are so grateful to the people of Holy Name Parish who have shared their lives with us and supported us in ministry over the past 64 years,” said Mercy Sister Carolyn Krohn of the congregation Leadership Team. “Our roots have grown so deep in Holy Name that we know that today marks a change in our relationship but not an end to it.”

The Sisters of Mercy have served at Holy Name since the establishment of the parish school in 1941. During those 64 years, 137 Sisters have ministered there in teaching and administrative posts.

LOCAL NEWS IN BRIEF

High Schools raise funds for AIDS orphans

San Francisco High Schools are planning a number of events throughout April to raise funds for an AIDS orphanage in Tanzania. The project is being spearheaded by St. Ignatius College Preparatory Theology teacher Mary Ahlbach and students at St. Ignatius, Archbishop Riordan and Mercy High Schools.

On April 7, students will be donating $5 each for a rice and bean “Spring Solidarity Dinner” while they watch a Power Point presentation on HIV/AIDS in Africa and enjoy African Dance and Drumming.

Students are also collecting sponsors for a four-mile walk/run called the Tanzania Trot to be held April 17.

All proceeds from both events will go directly to the Sisters of St. Therese in Tanzania. For more information email mahlbach@siprep.org. Checks payable to Sisters of St. Therese can also be sent to Mary Ahlbach, St. Ignatius Prep., 2001 37th Ave, San Francisco, 94116.

Archdiocesan Board of Education to receive NCEA top award

The Board of Education of the Archdiocese of San Francisco is one of only eight governing or advisory boards of U.S. Catholic schools named to receive the “Outstanding Board Award” at the 2005 National Catholic Educational Association annual convention and exposition in Philadelphia March 29-April 1.

Dr. Regina Haney, head of the National Association of Boards, Commissions, Councils of Catholic Education, said the organization “fosters and supports participation of the laity from the school community in governance decision-making and support of Catholic Schools, and the 2005 winners represent qualities of effective boards that set the example for others.” Current members of the Board of Education of the Archdiocese of San Francisco are Dr. Robert Gross, chair, Dr. Anthony Ramirez, vice-chair, Father Paul Arnoult, Dominican Sister Diane Aruda, Carol Grewal, Andreina Gualco, Dr. Lisa Harris, Father Stephen Howell, Russell Jackson, John Sebastinelli, James Shea, Michael Smylie, Joseph Toboni, and Dr. Don Zingale.

Board-member Russell Jackson will accept the award at a luncheon March 30. Maureen Huntington, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, also will attend the NCEA event in Philadelphia.

Ms. Huntington said, “This award to the Board of Education is a well-deserved honor, which acknowledges their hard work and dedication in implementing the strategic plan for Catholic Schools.”

Spring Sampler: Recent events around the Archdiocese

1 San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris’ visited St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in February, Black History month. Harris toured the school and spoke to the Student body about the contribution Black Americans have made and continue to make to society and the world, said Kenneth Willers, principal. From left: Kirsten Michler, Thomas Munka, Melissa Moran, District Attorney Harris, Mark Flanagan, Jennifer Kornacki, and Angelique Bannag.

2 Junior high students from San Francisco’s Stuart Hall School sang Gregorian chant at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in North Beach February 6. The group is under the direction of Michael Collins, a religion teacher at the school. The young men sang backup to the church’s established chant choir. “The students get a kick out of the chants and think it great to be singing songs that are 1,500 years,” Collins said. Students pictured include, front row from left: Seamus Finnegan, Connor Armstrong, Michael Price, Gregory Hunt, John Meany, and Stuart Wong. Second row from left: Everett Dong, Alfred Gruber, Joe Bisesto, Peter Quinn, and Francis Finnegan.

3 Marin Catholic High School Senior Steve Domecus had no shortage of fans as he received the 2004 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame scholarship at a banquet Feb. 17 in San Francisco. Pictured (l-r) are Marin Catholic President Fr. Tom Daly, Athletic Director Rick Winter, Steve’s brother Jack and mother Linda, coach Larry Gondola, Steve, Steve’s father Michael, coach Ken Peralta, principal Don Ritchie, and coach John Kruger. Marin Catholic Senior Brian Hughes (not pictured) was also nominated and was presented an Award of Merit by the foundation.

4 Seniors from Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory visited San Francisco’s Federal Building and the chambers of U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, brother of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, March 15. The students are from the Advanced Placement History Class taught by William Link. “Judge Breyer was very nice to the students and receptive to their questions,” Dr. Link said. “He spent 90 minutes with us and that’s a lot in a judge’s day.” The visit and tour were arranged with the help of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s office where member of the class, Cendhal Smeland, is a volunteer. An intern program involving SHCP seniors and the Congresswoman’s office is now in the planning stages. Back from left: Jonathan Lau, Jacob Wertz, Alvin Cheng, Christian Santa Maria, Albert Cheng, Kate Ward, Kristin Wilson. Front from back: Alaish Wren, Cendhal Smeland, Marika Stephens, Judge Breyer, John-Michael Reyes, Kim Paquette

5 Varsity Cheerleaders of Notre Dame High School in Belmont placed second in the nation against more than 20 teams from throughout the United States in competitions earlier this month in Anaheim. In addition to their competitive pursuits the squad cheers for Notre Dame basketball games and school rallies. Front from left: Stefanie Hodapp, Christine Boragno, Coach Morgan Craig, Nadia Nakib. Middle from left: Kiyana Tabrizi, Erika Shealy, Alexa Ginocchio, Alyssa Maurino, Caitlin Cook, Abbie Lieberman, Becky Monk, Erin Walsh, Angela Stoloski. Back from left: Leslie Soracco, Miki Koga, Roxanne Loo, Kristina DeBattista, Caitlin Moran, Lauren Thurston, Kelsey Lamberto, Sarah Martinez, Nicole McDonagh.

6 The Archbishop Riordan High School Marching Band performs at the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade down Market Street in San Francisco, Mar. 13.

7 Festive Irish dress was a hallmark of a liturgy celebrating St. Patrick March 17 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and School in Belmont. From left: Madison Hewitt, Elyse Vincenzi, Claire Vincenzi, and Julia Ryan.

8 Junipero Serra High School’s varsity basketball team took Northern California Division 1 honors with a victory March 12 over Castlemont High School of Oakland at ARCO Arena in Sacramento. The Padres had previously secured first place in West Coast Athletic League and Central Coast Section action. Back from left: Fielding Bohlken, Phoenix O’Rourke, Coach Scott Bricker, Decensae White, Travis Haynes, Will Powers, Kent Eubanks, Mario Favetti, Coach Sean Dugoni, Jeremiah Masoli, Marcus Pointer, Chris Cannizzaro, Drew TenBruggencate, Coach Mike Langridge, Coach Bob Christensen, Head Coach Chuck Rapp. Front from left: Larry Vigglizzo, Darrick DeLeon, Chaz Thomas, Tommy McMahon, Dan Mavraides, Eric Farrell, Coach Herb Yaptinchay.

9 Priests of the Archdiocese along with Auxiliary Bishops Ignatius Wang and John Wester give a parting blessing at the annual Chinese Ministry Banquet recently held at New Asia Restaurant in San Francisco. The annual banquet draws hundreds and features entertainment by Chinese young adults, a raffle and sumptuous multi-course dinner. The banquet raises funds for the programs of the Chinese Catholic Ministry of the Archdiocese.

10 Yesenia Lacayo, center, and Cecilia Ramirez, both seniors at Immaculate Conception Academy, recently spoke with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom with regard to raising the quality of life for children in the City. Both young women are service oriented and greatly interested in helping younger generations, the school said.

11 Students from Our Lady of Loretto Elementary School in Novato made a field trip to St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco to learn about the art, architecture and function of the Archdiocese’ mother church. After, they took a tour of the chancery building across the street and learned about the workings of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center from Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang.

12 Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School in Belmont, donated more than 50 bags of toiletry items during its annual Reach Out Program. The items will assist in the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor from St. Anne’s Home – the happiest address on Lake Street – in San Francisco. From left: Christian Dellinges, Dino Tonelli, Katie Belden, Sister Michael Teresa, Sister Agnes Clare and Ryan Fabie.

COMMENTARY

Year of the Eucharist
“It is the Lord!”

Given the close relationship between the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and celebration of the Eucharist, it is puzzling that on Good Friday, of all days, we do not offer the sacrifice of the Mass. Historians of liturgy tell us that this practice preserves an early tradition of “fasting” from the celebration of the Eucharist feast. But the Council of Trent points us to a deeper meaning: “his priesthood was not to end in death.” (CCC 1366) The meaning of Christ’s death can only be understood in relationship to His resurrection: the light of Easter illuminates the darkness of Good Friday.

If the story of Jesus had ended with His death, we could honor Him as martyr; the Eucharist would be simply the “memorial” of a man who lived a righteous life and died a tragic death. Jesus of Nazareth would be what many today claim He was: an itinerant teacher who took the side of the poor and oppressed, and who paid the price with his life.

But the story did not end there. For almost two thousand years now, His followers have proclaimed the startling news: “He is risen!” This is the heart of the Christian faith; there are many sad and scandalous divisions among Christians, but on this fundamental truth we all agree. And it is this conviction which separates those who are Christian from those who are not. You may honor Jesus as a prophet, admire Him as a teacher, dismiss Him as a fool – but if you do not believe He rose from the dead, you are not a Christian.

We affirm that He is risen, and for that reason it is Christ Himself who invites us to the Eucharistic feast, leads our celebration and gives us His Body and Blood as our food. In the Church’s liturgical celebrations, and above all in the Eucharist, Christ makes the Paschal Mystery of His death and resurrection present. He can do this because these events are unique: they took place at a particular moment in human history, but they are not bound by that moment precisely because of the resurrection. In the words of the Catechism: “The Paschal mystery of Christ… cannot remain only in the past, because by his death he destroyed death, and all that Christ is – all that he did and suffered for all men – participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times while being made present in them all.” (CCC 1985) This is why our weekly holiday (“holy day”) is Sunday, the day on which Christ rose from the dead. It is the “eighth day”, the first day of a new creation after the Sabbath rest of the Lord in the tomb. (CCC 1166) This is a day which never ends, a hope-bearing sunrise without the melancholy of gathering dusk. We celebrate a “sunrise service” every Sunday, for every Sunday is a celebration of Easter; but the glory of the resurrection shines out more brilliantly on this “feast of feasts,” Easter Sunday. In fact, there is so much to celebrate that the Church cannot fit all of the joy into one day: liturgically, “Easter Sunday” lasts an entire week!

During this Easter Week, take some time to read prayerfully the accounts of the appearances of the risen Christ. They occupy only a few chapters, but give immense peace of heart and joy. Notice how Eucharistic themes are woven into these accounts, such as the appearances in the Upper Room where Christ had celebrated the Last Supper and the meals in which the risen Lord reveals Himself and nourishes His friends. And then give thanks that their experience is ours, too. Love is stronger than death, and the Eucharist is the first course in the banquet of unending life. May we recognize the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread, share the infectious joy of the first followers of Jesus at His presence in their midst, and proclaim to all the world: “It is the Lord!”

Part of a series presented by the Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY

Be surprised by Easter joy!

By Father Gerard O’Rourke

Happy Easter to you all!

Let the happiness and joy of Easter, the great feast day of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, let its joy into your hearts. Let the joy of Easter transcend the tedium of our jaded souls; let it transform our stressed minds; let it soften our skeptical or even cynical opinions.

We have about five versions of the resurrection story in the New Testament. They are different, one from the other. Each one emphasizes a different approach to the story. Each one points to a different element of the narrative. I am delighted with the differences in the narratives of the story. If for no other reason it shows my future mind that the presentation of the narratives was not rehearsed. If indeed they were all the same we would have more material for our innate skepticism or cynicism about the veracity of the Resurrection.

One thing is common to all the versions and accounts of the Easter Story and this is Surprise. No one expected it. No one was prepared for it. Everybody in the story was surprised. You could say they were even shocked and stunned.

Just read the version from the Easter Sunday Mass gospel reading. It is taken from the Gospel John. Notice the disbelief; the shock; the unawareness; the surprise. If you take the reading for the afternoon from the Gospel of Luke it is the same; disbelief; shock; unawareness; surprise.

For us in 2005, the surprise is amazing especially if we are fairly familiar with the four Gospels. In each of them Jesus is recorded as alerting his apostles, disciples and followers to his coming death and resurrection. He forewarned them, he foretold that he would be arrested, be condemned to death, be rejected, suffer, then die and on the third day he would rise from the dead!

However they never really listened. It was all too unthinkable. They could not let it in. In fact none of them, not one of them “got it” until they saw the empty tomb, the burial cloths or for some of them until they actually saw him or even touched him. John finally “got it” when he saw the burial cloths. Then “he saw and believed.”

The resurrection of Jesus was the beginning of a huge transformation for all the apostles, the Holy Women, the disciples and all the followers of Jesus. The Easter resurrection of Jesus was and is a moment of healing, of salvation, of grace and of spiritual energy that has not ceased for almost two thousand years.

It was and is a moment of faith and healing. It was so for the broken-in-spirit, fear-filled apostles and friends of Jesus. It still is such a moment for us today in our world. It is for the thousands who have been baptized, confirmed and who received their First Holy Communion in thousands of Churches across the world at this year’s Easter Vigil.

It is such a moment of healing for all of us who need healing and solace this Easter of 2005. It is a moment to let into our hearts the healing balm of the Joy of God this Easter.

This joy of Easter is especially available to us if we are going through the throes of a broken heart; an alienated faith; a shaken trust; a damaged spirit; a bad luck streak; a feeling of betrayal; a period of shame or embarrassment; a time of mourning; a serious breakdown in our life or any other disconcerting trial in our lives.

May we open our hearts fully to the transforming joy of Easter no matter what our circumstances. May we abandon the “malice and wickedness” that St. Paul refers to in the second reading for Easter Sunday. Rather may we be open to the gifts of “sincerity and truth” that St. Paul speaks about in the same reading.

May we as we celebrate the Easter Eucharist recognize Jesus as the disciples did at Emmaus. May we too recognize Jesus in the “breaking of the bread” as his disciples did. May this recognition be true for us in every Eucharist in which we participate and especially the rest of this year, the “Year of the Eucharist.”

In this spirit of Easter joy may we truly celebrate this entire Easter season celebrated in the fullness of our Faith, our Trust, our Love and our Joy.

Happy Easter to you all for Christ is risen; He is truly risen; Alleluia!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

More catechesis please
I am delighted to see the excellent articles of “Year of the Eucharist/More than a Play,” and “Holy Week/We are entering the most sacred days of the Christian year,” in last week’s edition of Catholic San Francisco.

I have had the privilege of leading Scripture groups as well as teaching catechesis for many years. The faithful are so desiring of up to date and clear catechesis that these articles so beautifully presented. I don’t think I have had a conversation with most Catholics that haven’t held the question “why don’t we get the clear teaching of the Church in the Sunday homilies?” While I am aware that the homily is not the venue for catechesis, very often, our faithful are “turned off” by hearing the same words put in different form, or stories that have no real teaching, or worse yet, a history lesson which can last half an hour on the three Scripture readings of the Sunday.

I know I speak for many of the faithful who are wanting to grow in ownership of the faith we profess, and that can happen when we understand and ruminate the clear and down to earth teaching contained in articles such as mentioned above.

One may question why, with the existence of our Catechism of the Catholic Church, our faithful feel such a need. It is easy to understand when one looks at a book over 1 1/2 inches thick and 904 pages in length, how someone with a rudimentary understanding of the faith would be overwhelmed both by it’s length and the time one would have to dedicate to reading and understanding it. In truth, I have met many Catholics who are not aware that we have such a wonderful resource as the Catechism.

May I suggest that as we go through the year, each week we have articles that address the simplest of catechetical questions, i.e. “Why do we bless ourselves with holy water as we enter the church?” “Why do we genuflect to the reserved Eucharist and bow to the Altar of Sacrifice?” “Why does the Church continue to study the Scriptures after so many centuries?” “Why is the Baptismal font at the entrance of the church?”

These are simple questions, but clearly, they are questions that are in the minds and hearts of the faithful.

Wishing all a Blessed Easter with a resounding Alleluia.
Paulette Borg- Novato

Variety of experience
The deathbed scenes described in Mary Pecci’s letter of March 18 must have been joyous to experience and inspirational to witness. Father Rolheiser’s column of March 11 made me aware of a circumstance almost identical to that attributed to Henry Nouwen’s mother. This person, though not verbal like Nouwen’s mother, was also deeply spiritual and struggled approaching the end of life.

Instead of finding Father Rolheiser’s comments chilling and discouraging, I found them to be enlightening, comforting and strangely liberating. I am eager to read Henri Nouwen’s book to learn more.
Muriel Calegari- Belmont

Compassionate sarcasm
Now that the Republican dominated Congress has finally found in the Schiavo matter a compassionate and humanitarian voice, maybe it will go on to other kindly legislation. One simple and compassionate proposal would be to pass this bill:
“Every American child shall be guaranteed at least one full meal a day so that no American child shall go to bed hungry.” If that seems too much off target relative to the Schiavo bill, then Congress can address the specific medical procedure involved and at the same time enact universal health insurance:
“Every American shall be medically insured for the insertion and maintenance of a feeding tube if one becomes brain-damaged and cannot eat on one’s own.”

If that be too liberal in its scope and not a private bill as the Schiavo bill was, then Congress can simply address in another private bill the one feeding tube it really meant to protect:
“Any member of Congress, who is a Republican, is from Texas and holds the position of Speaker of The House of Representatives, shall be exempt from all moral, ethical or legal constraints on the raising of political funds and on the manner in which and on the purpose for which such political funds are employed.”
Marcel B. Matley- San Francisco

Ed. note: The so-called “Palm Sunday Compromise” passed unanimously with bipartisan support in the Senate and with the support of more than two-thirds of the House including nearly half of the Democrats present. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is from Illinois.

Fortuitous prayer
David Van Biema’s interesting 8-page essay, in a recent Time magazine highlighting the current Protestant acceptance of Mary as the first believer in her Son and as his ideal disciple, makes me appreciate more the inclusiveness of the short Marian invocation which St. John Bosco made popular in all his 3,000 - plus Salesian schools and youth centers the world over: “Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.” I’m so glad we don’t say, “Mary Help of Catholics, pray for us.”
Fr. Larry N. Lorenzoni, S.D.B.- San Francisco

Other voices:

“ . . .But once you start weighing the relative values of individual lives, there’s no end to it. Much of that derives from the way abortion has redefined life - as a “choice”, an option. In practice, a culture that thinks Terri Schiavo’s life in Florida or the cleft-lipped baby’s in Herefordshire has no value winds up ascribing no value to life in general.”

- Mark Steyn, writing in The Telegraph of London on the Schiavo case and a British inquiry into the third trimester abortion of a child with a cleft palate.

EDITORIAL

Guest Commentary
The Passion of Terri Schiavo

Most. Rev. Thomas Wenski

Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Diocese of Orlando Florida wrote the following guest commentary for the March 20 edition of the Orlando Sentinel.

On Friday, the feeding tube that provided Terri Schiavo with the normal care of food and water was withdrawn. Barring last-minute intervention, Terri has now begun to die by starvation. One can pray that her husband will have a change of heart or that the state of Florida will find new grounds to intervene so that, in spite of what transpired on Friday, a safer course might still be taken and that Terri “continue to receive nourishment, comfort and loving care” — as we Catholic Bishops of Florida have continually advocated.

As Pope John Paul II points out in his just released book, Memory and Identity, the crisis of our age is rooted in the presumption that we can decide for ourselves what is good and evil without reference to God. Yet, the Decalogue, while certainly an expression of divine positive law, is nonetheless more than a religious code: It is a reflection of natural law — of the law written on the heart of man. In other words, we cannot not know that it is wrong to kill innocent human life.

That we do nevertheless kill is evidence of the misterium iniquitatis at work in the world; but, when we do kill, we usually seek by evasions and subterfuges to make up excuses for our crimes. Thus, we disguise what we do by rationalizations: We don’t abort “babies,” we remove the “products of conception”; we don’t murder unarmed civilians, we engage in “ethnic cleansing”; and when we dispatch with a fatal cocktail the feeble minded it is because such a life is lebensunwerter Leben (life “unworthy of life”) — as euthanasia was justified in the Germany of the Third Reich.

In Terri’s case, we can speak of the controversial diagnosis of PVS — persistent vegetative state. Yet, even while to speak of her as a “vegetable” might give a false reassurance to our conflicted consciences, she still remains a human being, no less human than Christopher Reeve, who was kept alive on a respirator until he died late last year of natural causes. No one begrudged his heroic struggle to live, and we were all edified by his courage and that of his family who stood by him. Terri, however, is not being kept alive by any machine as was Reeve for most of his last decade of life. She only needs assistance to be fed.

Does the fact that he could speak and she cannot make it right to deprive her of the ordinary means of human sustenance? If so, how can any of our seriously ill brethren ever again trust themselves to sleep while under a doctor’s care?

Some would argue that to remove her feeding tube is simply to let nature take its course. Yet what is “natural” about starving to death? True, she was fed through a feeding tube — she depends on others, but so did Christopher Reeve, and so does a newborn baby depend on others for nutrition and hydration. John Donne said: “No man is an island entire of itself.” As members of the human race we all are interdependent on each other to one degree or another. The mark of a civilized society was that the helpless had the greatest claim on our protection. Now it would seem that they have the least.

And so, Holy Week, the annual remembrance of Jesus’ passion and death, begins with the Passion of Terri Schiavo. Terri’s agony has already begun and, barring some miracle, the denouement of Terri’s drama will be her death.

This week, in recalling Jesus’ Passover from death to life, we celebrate the fact that the misterium iniquitatis is overcome through the misterium crucis.

From the cross Jesus cried out, and his cry is echoed today by all those held captive to a world of pain and sin. As Terri shares in his passion, she will share in his Resurrection. Like Jesus did, Terri Schiavo cries out, though with muted voice: “I thirst!”

DATEBOOK

St. Mary’s Cathedral

The following events are taking place at or are coordinated by the cathedral of the Archdiocese located at Gough and Geary St. in San Francisco. Call (415) 567-2020 for more information. April 2: Spring Dinner Dance, in Patrons’ Hall. A fund-raising event for the Cathedral. Proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Cathedral.No Host Cocktails: 6.00pm. Dinner 7-9 p.m. Dance 9pm-1am. Semi Formal Attire. Donation: $25.00 Inquiries call 567-2020, ext. 205.

April 1: Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament every First Friday after the 8:00 a.m. Mass Friday and continuing throughout the day and night until 7:45 a.m. Saturday with Morning Prayer and Benediction. (Exposition is suspended during scheduled Masses at 12:10 noon, 7:00 p.m. and 6:45 a.m. according to liturgical norms.) Join us as we pray for world peace, a culture of life, priests and the special intentions commended to our prayers. For more information or to volunteer please call (415) 567-2020 x224.

Food & Fun

March 27: Easter Bake Sale at Star of the Sea Church, SF, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Assortment of homemade cakes and baked goods for Easter table beautifully gift-wrapped for family and friends. Sponsored by Chinese American Assoc. of the parish.

March 29: Catholic Networking Night for job seekers and jobholders. Employers are also invited to present job openings. Guest speaker is Kathy Devine, employment specialist with JVS.org. Takes place at St. Dominic’s Church, 2390 Bush St. at Steiner, SF from 7 – 9 Reservations are requested. Contact Connie at daura@ccwear.com or (415) 664-0164.

April 1: Catholic Marin Breakfast Club gathers for Mass and special presentation. The morning begins at 7 a.m. in St. Sebastian Church, Bon Air Rd. and Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield. Breakfast and presentation follow in parish hall. Today’s speaker is attorney, Joe Russoniello, one of five new appointees to the national review board for the Protection of Children and Young People. Reservations required to Sugaremy@aol.com or (415) 461-0704 daily. Members $7, others $10. Dues $20 per year.

April 7, 8: Annual Rummage and Garage Sale benefiting Church of the Visitacion, 701 Sunnydale at Rutland in SF. Thursday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Furniture, clothes, jewelry, dishes, collectibles and much more.

April 9: Alberian #93 YLI Italian Lunch and Bingo at Corpus Christi Hall, Alemany and Santa Rosa in SF at noon. Tickets at $12 include one Bingo card. Call Jean Feliciana at (415) 239-7769.

April 16: Come and celebrate with us! St. Isabella School in San Rafael announces its annual Spring Auction and Dinner Dance, “Ole!” Fantastic Silent and Live Auctions, a Flamenco show, dancing, and a 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible to raffle! Many more items to see and bid on! 5p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Marin Civic Center, Exhibition Hall, San Rafael. For Tickets and Reservation requests pls. call Michele Ugarte at 415.499.1202 ASAP! Dinner tickets $75 per person. MINI Cooper tickets $100 each (only 500 to be sold!) visit www.winacooper.com.

April 16: Annual International Food Festival benefiting St. Dunstan Elementary School in Millbrae. Enjoy fare from Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Asia and other lands. Entertainment, children’s activities, silent auction and raffle, too. Tickets $35 adults/$20 seniors/$15 children 5 – 14. Call Catherine Miller at (650) 359-1574.

May 7: 10th Annual Whale of a Sale benefiting St. Sebastian Parish in Greenbrae. Now taking reservations for vendors at $35 per space earlybird of $40 after April 1st. Sell your crafts or household items and keep all proceeds. Call Kathie Meyer at (415) 461-4133 or whaleofasale@comcast .net.

Shows/Entertainment

April 1,2, 3: The St. Pius Young People’s Theater presents The Wizard of Oz. Curtain Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. Takes place in Fitzsimon Center of St. Pius Parish, 1100 Woodside Rd, Redwood City. Tickets are $12 reserved seating, $10 general admission; $8 students/seniors. Call 650-361-1411.

April 8: Share the Spirit of the Resurrection, students of Mater Dolorosa Elementary School in concert at 7:30 p.m. singing original works of Virginia Enrico. Tickets $8 adults/$5 children. Five and under free. Call (650) 588-8175.

April 9: The Hail Mary Children’s Choir in concert at Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco at 7:30 p.m. The Philippines-based ensemble won Gold Medals in the World Music Olympics in 2004. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children. Proceeds benefit Novitiate House building project for Sisters of Social Service in the Philippines. For tickets, Aleli Geronimo 584-8297, Adelaida Canlas 585-9448 or Social Service Sister Celeste Arbuckle at 681-9219.

Sundays: Concerts at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough and Geary St., SF at 3:30 p.m. Call (415) 567-2020 ext. 213. Open to the public. Admission free. Easter Sunday: David Hatt, organist. April 3: Alan Blasdale, organist. No concerts April 10 or 17.

Sundays: Concerts at 4 p. m. at National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, Vallejo and Columbus, SF. Call (415) 983-0405 or www.shrinesf.org. Open to the public. Admission free. Easter Sunday: Organ Recital by John Renke. April 3: The Gecko String Trio. April 10: Concert by Womensing.

Reunions

Class of ’75 from St. John Ursuline High School is planning a 30th reunion for this fall! Classmates should contact Kathy Grimley at (650) 342-7633 or kathygbnp@aol.com.

Class of ’86 from St. Rose Academy is “Gone but not forgotten” and planning a reunion, said Beatriz St. John. “Rascals” should contact bebe@ski.org.

March 31: Star of the Sea Academy, classes ’39 to ’45. Earlier classes also welcome. Contact Marie at (415) 564-2603 or Dorothy at (415) 681-1493.

April 2: The S. F. Chapter of Notre Dame Alumnae will hold its annual Mass and Luncheon on April 2, 2005. The day begins with mass at 11:00 AM at Mission Dolores Basilica followed by lunch at the S. F. Italian Athletic Club, 1630 Stockton Street, S.F. Call Debbie Calgaro at (650) 583-1102 for more information and reservations.

April 9: St. Rose Academy All-School Reunion at Union Square’s Westin St. Francis Hotel. “All who attended St. Rose are welcome.” No-host cocktails at 11 a.m. and luncheon at noon. For more information contact Maureen Finigan Horan ’69 at (650) 595-1913 x305 or mhoran@ndhsb.org or Sally Alioto O’Connell ’89 at (650) 340-7437 or soconnell@mercyburl.org.

April 17: Alumni moms of Archbishop Riordan High School announces its first Alumni Mother Event including buffet brunch and VIP seating to Damn Yankees, the school’s Spring Musical. Reservations required to (415) 586-8200, ext. 217. Tickets at $50 benefit Lindland Theatre Renovation.

May 14: Class of ’51 Our Lady of Perpetual Help elementary, Daly City. Looking for classmates! Call Janet Cirimele at (650) 579-7458.

Prayer/Lectures/Trainings

April 5, 20, May 14: Practicing Peace through Non-violent Transformation, a workshop series – April 5, 20 and May 14 – guiding participants in living and acting as peacemakers and putting creative non-violence into practice in daily life. Sponsored by St. Raphael Parish, San Rafael and peace advocacy organizations. Call Judith Howell at (415) 454-8141 or jhowell@straphael.com for times, locations.

April 5: Notre Dame de Namur University continues its Catholic Scholars Series with Dr. John F. Haught, author of “Deeper Than Darwin” which explores the relationship between science and religion, and the topic of creation. Dr. Haught is currently the Thomas Healey Distinguished Professor of Theology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. in Cunningham Memorial Chapel on the campus of Notre Dame de Namur University, 1500 Ralston Avenue in Belmont. The talk is free and open to the community.

April 9: Morning of Prayer: Become Beatitude People, 9:30 to11:30 a.m. at Notre Dame Province Center, 1520 Ralston Avenue, Belmont. Notre Dame Sister Michelle Henault will lead the reflection Blessed are the Single Hearted: Clarity of Intention. Call (650) 593-2045.

April 14: An Evening with Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, the San Domenico Alumnae Association’s annual Spring Spirituality Event. The author has been recognized for her work for justice, peace, and equality for women in Church and society. Program begins with a dessert reception at 7 p.m. in the School’s new Hall of the Arts, 1500 Butterfield Road in San Anselmo. Tickets are $35 in advance. Please call (415) 258-1931 or visit www.sandomenico.org for more information.

April 24 – 28: Busy Person’s Retreat at Notre Dame Province Center, 1520 Ralston Ave. in Belmont. An opportunity for individuals to deepen their own spiritual practice in the midst of busy schedules through daily prayer and individually scheduled spiritual direction. Pre-registration is required and is due by Monday, April 11. To request a registration form or for additional information, contact Sister Marie Annette at (650) 593-2045 ext.253 or Marieannette.Murkart@SNDdeN.org.

Retreats
—— Vallombrosa Center ——

250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. For fees, times and details about these and other offerings call (650) 325-5614. Presentation Sister Rosina Conrotto, Program Director.

April 5: The Ten Things We Struggle with Today as Christians, an Evening with Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, 7 – 9 p.m.

April 16: Photography and Prayer, Awakening to the Handprints of God with Carol Fowler. Prayer and photography serve as lens to God’s presence in our lives.

Separated/Divorced

Sundays, April 10 – May 22: Divorce Recovery Course at St. John of God Church, 5th Ave. at Irving, SF, 7 – 9 p.m. Explore issues arising from end of marriage. Designed to help participants heal and grow spiritually. Sponsored by Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Archdiocese of SF. $45 fee includes book and materials. Call Vonnie at (650) 873-4236 or Susan at (415) 752-0766.