By Catholic San Francisco Staff

Newly elected Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in his position as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, visited the San Francisco Bay Area six years ago and spent a week of activities in San Francisco and San Mateo County.

As the guest of San Francisco Archbishop William J. Levada, Cardinal Ratzinger visited the newly established National Shrine of St. Francis.

The primary purpose of the cardinal’s visit in 1999 was a Feb. 9-12 convocation of doctrinal officials from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, which was held at Vallombrosa Retreat and Conference Center in Menlo Park. Convened by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and hosted by San Francisco Archbishop William J. Levada, the four-day convocation was an opportunity for church leaders with similar responsibilities to discuss common issues.

During his stay in the Bay Area, the new pope also gave an address Feb 13, 1999 at St Patrick Seminary. The talk, which was open to the public, was entitled “Culture and Truth; Reflections on Fides et Ratio” – the encyclical by Pope John Paul II on Faith and Reason.

In an interview with Catholic San Francisco prior to the address, then Cardinal Ratzinger pointed to “subjectivism” as a “pervasive problem in our culture, not only American but Western society” in general.

“Widely held opinions” too often substitute for “moral absolutes,” he explained, leaving society rudderless, “in a situation where all opinions are equivalent.”

For many years, San Francisco’s Ignatius Press has been Cardinal Ratzinger’s English publisher, with 22 titles in print by the new pope.

Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, recalls the new pope’s 1999 visit. “We spent some time talking with him and praying together. It was a wonderful time of socializing with a great churchman and friend of the press. .. He is a cheerful man; soft spoken, gentle, humble.”

Father Tom Daly, director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of San Francisco and President of Marin Catholic High School, was present for the new pope’s talk at St. Patrick Seminary in 1999. “He reminded me of the scripture about one who talks with authority,” said Father Daly. “There is a simplicity and humility to Cardinal Ratzinger which reemphasizes the qualities young men will need to serve Christ and the Church as priests.”

Father Steven Lopes, currently completing advanced studies in Rome, said that in meeting the new pope on several occasions he found him to have “a brilliant mind and boundless abilities” along with “a truly pastoral heart.”

Father Lopes said he was struck by Cardinal Ratzinger’s humility and gentleness, who truly “sees himself as nothing more than God’s humble servant. What an inspiration to us all.”

Father Randy Calvo, Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Redwood City, said “I’m quite surprised. The election seems to indicate more of a concern with the difficulties of the first world – the idea that we are losing Europe – the need to address those concerns, not to the exclusion of, but more than issues facing the third world.”

He added, “I’m also surprised by the name. Benedict XVI is an interesting name. Benedict XV was a short papacy and he was known for a moderating style. Maybe there is a sign or signal in choosing that name given the impression sometimes of Cardinal Ratzinger as a hardliner. He is known as a very gracious man. Some peoples’ image of him does not match the experience of those who have known him.”

Mark Brumley agrees with this assessment, noting that the new pope is “very much a man of the Second Vatican Council. He’s someone who takes seriously the Council’s call to read the signs of the times. That doesn’t mean, as is often reported, seeing what is fashionable and adapting the Church to that. Rather, it is drawing on the wisdom of the Catholic faith to respond to the needs of the age.”

Father Daly said “The new pope’s election validates the need for the Church at this time to boldly teach without reservation the truths of the Church. There should be no surprises with him.” He added, “The fact that World Youth Day is in Germany this year, and that a native son is returning as Pope seems providential.”

On The Street Where You Live

By Tom Burke Happy 61 years married April 16th to Marge and Stan Doughty of Our Lady Of Mercy Parish. The couple, who met during WWII are “off on a Mississippi River Cruise to celebrate the event,” Stan said. They have been members of OLM for 40 years….

St. Paul High School’s class of ’45 is gathering May 5th at Bay Meadows in San Mateo. “It’ll be a day of races and remembering fur us ‘Golden Girls’,” said classmate, Edna Condon Leonard, who has been a member of St. Luke Parish in Foster City since its founding in 1970. Proceeds from the event will benefit the work of Sister Mary Francilla, a member of the class of ’45 and Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who now works among the poor of Chicago’s inner city. While unable to attend the reunion Sister Mary will be back “later in the year” and is grateful for the support, Edna said. Call (650) 341-0431 to let Edna know you’ll be there or to make a contribution to this most worthy cause…. Kenneth Willers, principal, St. John the Evangelist Elementary School, has been recently elected to the executive committee of the National Catholic Educational Association Department of Elementary Schools. He represents a region including California, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii. “I am honored to serve,” Ken said. Ken, principal at St. John’s for the last four years, has been an active NCEA member and was among a group of delegates from Catholic schools invited to the White House. “I expect to accomplish reaching out to my colleagues throughout the region and being a sounding board and representative of issues,” Ken said. Ken is a graduate of Corpus Christi Elementary School and a 1979 alum of Archbishop Riordan High School….

Mighty proud are Sandy and Jeff John whose son Dylan, a St. Brendan 8th grader, recently competed in the State Finals of the National Geographic Geography Bee. Dylan will attend St. Ignatius College Preparatory in the fall. Sandy and Jeff, who will be married 16 years January 6th, are also the parents of “accomplished student” and St. Bren 5th grader, Hunter….

Happy 80th birthday to Lois Maher of St. Gabriel Parish who commemorated the occasion with “immediate family and friends at City Forest Lodge January 29th. “We still live in the same house,” Lois told me describing the Sunset District home she and her now late husband Joe bought in 1957. Helping her celebrate the milestone were her daughter, Linda, and son, James with his wife Joelene and their children, Alice, Jeffrey and Carrie. Much missed was grandson, Ben, who is in Philly starting a new job. Also on hand were Lois’ brother Ed McNab with his wife, Joann, sisters, Marilyn McCarthy and Janet Scopesi, with her husband, Leo, and sister-in-law, Jean McNab. Lois said to not forget that the crowd also included “many nieces and nephews and lotsa’ cousins.”…St. Veronica Parish has named Barbara Lozar, Parishioner of the Year. Barbara has been a member of the SSF faith community for 50 years and today shares her time in areas including sacristan and visitor of the sick and homebound. “Whether it’s running errands to replenish candles or delivering countless items to various parts of the parish Barbara is there.” Throughout the parish “Ask Barbara” resounds, the parish said. “We treasure her friendship.” The email address for Street is now burket@sfarchdiocese.org. As this continues to be but an empty space without you, please jot it down and get those items in here??!! All the rest is the same. Mailed items should be sent to “Street,” One Peter Yorke Way, SF 94109. Pix should be hard copy or electronic jpeg at 300 dpi. You can reach me at (415) 614-5634.

Assisted suicide bill clears committee; proposed law among Lobby Day issues

Assembly Bill 654, the California Compassionate Choice Act, sponsored by Assembly members Patty Berg (D-Santa Rosa) and Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) was approved by a narrow 5 to 4 vote April 12 in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The proposed legislation would allow doctors in California to provide lethal prescriptions to persons judged by a physician to be terminally ill. The bill will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee before heading to the full Assembly.

AB 654 is opposed by the California Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Alliance for Catholic Healthcare, which have joined a broad coalition including disability rights organizations and health care providers to educate the public about assisted suicide and to lobby against passage of the bill. More information on AB 654 and its progress can be found at the website of Californians Against Assisted Suicide (www.ca-aas.com).

The California Catholic Conference (www.cacatholic.org) has made the defeat of AB 654 a major element of the upcoming Catholic Lobby Day, which will be held April 26 in Sacramento. The Lobby Day includes education, prayer and meetings with legislators about other issues of common importance to Catholics and begins 9:00 a.m. at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento.

Registration is $8 or $20 for bus transportation. Anyone interested in participating in Lobby Day may register by calling 415-614-5567 or sending email to kortencampt@sfarchdiocese.org.

Letter from a seminarian in Saint Peter’s Square

This eyewitness account of the announcement and presentation of Pope Benedict XVI was sent hours later by Joseph Previtali, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of San Francisco studying in Rome. Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum - habemus papam! – Cardinal Estevez Indeed, it is a great joy to be Catholic today, as we receive yet another blessing from Our Father in Heaven: Pope Benedict XVI. I just got back from St. Peter’s, and I want to share with you my beautiful ecclesial experience.

I went down to St. Peter’s Square at around 5:30 p.m. and joined my brother North American College seminarians. A few of the guys had brought guitars and drums, and we began to sing praise-and-worship songs. During our time of prayer, many of the others in the Square came over and joined us. It was an awesome experience to praise the Lord in song with so many fellow Catholics, all of us imploring Him to send us another holy pope. At around 6:00 p.m., as we were ending a song, the smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney. At first, it was black and we were disappointed. But then we realized that they must have reached a consensus because of the early burning of the ballots. At about the same time, the smoke turned white. Little by little the anticipation increased as white smoke came pouring out. We began cheering, and waited for the conclusive sign that we were truly seeing white smoke: the ringing of the bells.

After about five minutes (at least it seemed that long), the crowd erupted into a huge roar as the bells began to move. The explosion of emotion was much like what one would experience during an exciting moment at a sporting event. Needless to say, the anticipation heightened.

We waited for 25 more minutes, singing praise to God for the new Pope and talking about who it might be. Of course, everyone now says they knew it was Cardinal Ratzinger all along. I, for one, have never been happier to be wrong.

When the gentiluomini came out onto the center balcony of the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica to close the curtains, the crowd roared in delightful anticipation. Onto the balcony emerged Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, the Cardinal Proto-Deacon. He greeted his “dear brothers and sisters” in five languages, and then declared the solemn announcement of the new Bishop of Rome. When he said “Dominum Josephum”, we began to jump around like we were sitting in the Kennel Club section at a Gonzaga basketball game. And when the name “Ratzinger” was pronounced, there was pandemonium the likes of which I have never seen.

We waited with now-relieved anticipation for the procession of the new Pope Benedict XVI onto the balcony to greet the crowd. The Church had gotten her man, and we were ready to give him what has now become a Pope’s welcome. And then he came.

For most of us, it was the first time we had seen anyone besides John Paul II in the Pope’s white zucchetto. There was the familiar German face of Joseph Ratzinger, a humble servant of the Lord, as he rightly called himself in his address. As he did many times as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Benedict got right to the point: “After the great Pope John Paul II...” The crowd roared in approval of this noble salutation for our dear departed JPII.

Benedict then assured us that he has entrusted himself to the Lord and to His Mother and to the prayers of the Christian faithful. There was a serene humility about him. I imagine that he will waste no time in beginning his Petrine Ministry. His choice of St. Benedict’s name no doubt indicates something of the direction of his pontificate. The choice of the name of the patron saint of Europe is certainly appropriate during this time of the secularization and de-Christianization of European society. Additionally, St. Benedict’s great promotion of and love for the dignified celebration of the Sacred Liturgy will not go unheeded by our new Holy Father.

After his brief address, our new Pope intoned the Urbi et Orbi Blessing. As we knelt before him and made the sign of the cross, many were moved to tears. The joyous celebration of this gift from God to His Church gives us the opportunity to reflect more deeply on the richness of our Catholic faith. What an even more precious gift is that faith!

Pope Benedict XVI is eating supper tonight with the cardinals in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he will spend the night. He will celebrate Mass with them tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. in the Sistine Chapel. Let us pray for him as he begins his time as the Successor of Peter. May the Blessed Virgin Mary and her faithful son Pope John Paul II, intercede for him before the throne of God, that he may take up this cross and follow the Lord in complete fidelity and with peace and joy.

Mass celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral hours after pope’s election

By Tom Burke

A Mass for new Pope Benedict XVI was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral just hours after the momentous election April 19. San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop John C. Wester presided. Msgr. Harry Schlitt, Vicar for Administration for the Archdiocese, concelebrated. Cathedral rector, Father John Talesfore, served as master of ceremonies.

“We give glory to God in this continued Easter Season with the sharing of the Word and the breaking of the bread,” Bishop Wester said. “We also thank God for our new Holy Father – Pope Benedict XVI – praying for him and asking the Holy Spirit to guide him as pastor of the universal Church.”

The Mass, celebrated just after noon, was probably among the first in the country to be offered for the new Pontiff remembering him not only in optional moments of the Mass but at places in the Mass specifically reserved for mention of the Pope, most notably in the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Papal Coat of Arms adorned the front of the Cathedral. “This is not the new Pope’s coat of arms but the generic coat of arms of the Pope in its traditional yellow and white,” said Doug Benbow, the Cathedral’s Director of Liturgy. The chalice and paten used in the Mass were vessels used by Pope John Paul II during his visit to San Francisco in 1987. Coincidentally, the first reading for the Mass was the same first reading from the late Pontiff’s historic Mass at Candlestick Park.

Bishop Wester, Msgr. Schlitt and Father Talesfore all met Pope Benedict XVI in 1999 when as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger he visited the Archdiocese and its Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park. “He is a great guy - very gentle, bright and a true man of the Church,” Bishop Wester said. “He goes out of his way to recognize people and affirm them.”

“He was very approachable, warm and cordial,” Msgr. Schlitt said. “I found him to be warm and gracious,” Father Talesfore said. “I hope he’ll have the opportunity to express that warmth and personality as Pope and that the people are open to his ministry.”

In his homily, Bishop Wester called on the image of the Good Shepherd and a sheep’s learning its shepherd’s voice. “May we learn the ways of our new Holy Father, Benedict XVI, and be open to his guidance,” Bishop Wester said. “May Christ bless him and us as we learn to know his voice.”

Local Catholics rally for health care

By Jack Smith

More than 4,000 Californians, a great number of them Catholics, filled the Sacramento Convention Center April 13 for a town hall meeting demanding action on health care for children. Among the crowd was a contingent from San Francisco who met earlier in the day on the steps of Mission Dolores to hear community and religious leaders speak.

Archbishop William J. Levada joined other local religious community leaders at a press conference to bless, endorse and send-off the San Francisco contingent on their bus ride to Sacramento.

The participants in the town hall style meeting in Sacramento with top legislators and the governor’s Secretary of Health and Human Services came in support of Senate Bill 437 by Senator Martha Escutia (D – Montebello). The bill would bring the state’s Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs together under a California Healthy Kids Insurance Program.

The merger would create numerous efficiencies and expand access to a program which would provide comprehensive health insurance for children in California. All children meeting an expanded criteria of residency, age and income requirements would be eligible for enrollment in the California Healthy Kids Insurance Program.

The initiative is of particular interest to San Franciscans, as the City is currently the only jurisdiction in the country providing a health plan to children and young adults age 0 to 24. That program is currently funded primarily with local dollars and difficulty with enrollment rules and outreach still leaves 25,000 children in the City uninsured according to Sarah Silva, parish outreach/organizer for the San Francisco Organizing Project (SFOP) and the Archdiocese of San Francisco Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns. Silva said a statewide initiative would bring added benefits to San Francisco through a streamlined application and enrollment process and by providing access to state and federal monies.

The press conference and gathering in San Francisco was sponsored by SFOP, a local, faith-based, grass roots organization founded in 1982 which represents more than 40 religious congregations in San Francisco, including several Catholic churches. Parishioners from Mission Dolores made up a significant part of the San Francisco contingent as they led prayer and song in English and Spanish during the bus ride to Sacramento.

Several hundred more chairs had to be set out in the Sacramento Convention Center as the turnout well exceeded planners expectations. While Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Belshe would not commit the administration to support of SB 437, she said “Gov. Schwarzenegger supports the goal that every child in California be insured.”

SB 437 has passed the Senate Health Committee and is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee.

Archbishop Levada was joined by other religious leaders including Pastor J. Edgar Boyd of Bethel AME and Pastor Daniel Solberg of Saint Paulus Lutheran in endorsing and blessing the efforts of the San Francisco participants at Mission Dolores. The religious leaders explored the biblical and social justice moorings of the right to basic health care. Archbishop Levada thanked SFOP on behalf of the Catholic community for organizing the event and for their efforts to bring about a statewide solution to child health care. “It may cost us a little more now, but I can tell you its going to save us a lot of money down the road,” he said.

Faith, community and dedication are hallmarks of St. Robert Parish in San Bruno

By Tom Burke

Msgr. Bruce Dreier has been pastor of St. Robert Parish for only ten months but says he has been at home since his first days here.

“This is a great parish,” Msgr. Dreier said. “There’s a lot of life here. People here realize this is their parish and that is a large part of the history. It’s a rich place in the sense of tradition and custom and it is a fun place to be. This parish was built on faith and hard work and is sustained today by faith and hard work.”

If it can be said that a pastor gets his “feet wet’ during the first months of his duty, it’s fair to say, according to Msgr. Dreier, that his toes were “drenched” by St. Robert’s annual Parish Festival. “The parish festival is an unbelievable experience,” he said. “The week before the event parishioners come and set up a stage, a backdrop for the stage as well as booths. There are electricians stringing wires, carpenters building this that and the other thing and they’re all volunteers. It’s a very long weekend that involves hundreds and hundreds of people.”

“St. Robert’s is a very active faith community,” Msgr. Dreier said, explaining that liturgy is planned to involve even the youngest member of the assembly. “We are proud of our liturgies that have a mind for parishioners of all ages,” Msgr. Dreier said. “When the kids pour out of the pews to gather for a blessing and dismissal it’s like a stampede. These are great experiences for the kids and the adults as well. There is a wonderful team of folks who help it keep evolving. In addition to good liturgy, the people have a strong commitment to be here and be part of it. After Mass people hang around. It’s not like after Mass we head to the hills. Parishioners enjoy one another’s company.”

“I’m enjoying this first year getting to know the people, the parish and how I can best be of service here,” Msgr. Dreier said. “St. Robert’s is a rich community of people very generous in use of their gifts and talents.”

St. Robert School, like St. Robert’s Religious Education program and other of its ministries, is at the foundation of the parish. “Every teacher at St. Robert’s is willing to go the extra mile to help a child,” said Yvonne Olcomendy, now in her first year as principal of the school and her twelfth year as a parishioner. Her son Joey is a seventh grader at St. Robert’s.

“Our teachers care about kids and teach each child as an individual,” the St. Brendan Elementary and Mercy High School, San Francisco alumna said. “Attention is given to the child performing at or above grade level and the child who may be struggling some to get up to grade level.”

“What I find unique about this school is our parents. We have a 40-hour volunteer requirement that begins accumulating May 1 and most of our parents have their quota by the end of September but they continue to help all year long. They instill good values and respect for others in their children at home. I consider it a privilege to be principal.”

At Christmas, the doors of parish facilities were swinging busily as “three events took place in the parish hall within 22 hours,” Yvonne said. They included a school-sponsored Chocolate Fair, a Crab Fete hosted by the parish Men’s Club and the next morning a Breakfast with Santa hosted by the parish Women’s Guild. “That’s the level of activity at this parish with so many people making it possible from behind the scenes.”

At a recent faculty retreat, teachers and staff developed a framework for a Peace and Justice program for all students at the school. “In high school there is a lot done on this front with students going out on their own but it’s difficult to send elementary school students on that mission by themselves,” the principal said. “Our program will teach students to be stewards of Christ’s message to care for others and will pair up younger grades with older grades.”

“St. Robert’s school is ordinary people who want their children raised in a Catholic environment, learning the ideals of what Jesus wanted us to be. It’s children receiving the best education they can in a caring environment.”

Presentation Sister Mary O’Donnell directs St. Robert’s Religious Education program serving more than 400 youth of the parish. Twenty teachers assist in the effort. “We have students from kindergarten through sophomore year of high school,” Sister O’Donnell said. Classes for younger students meet throughout the week. Older youth on their way to Confirmation meet Sunday afternoons.

“We put an emphasis on faith development and help the students come to know Christ,” Sister O’Donnell said. “We teach them how much God loves them. We have wonderful teachers and families.” Mary and Jim Kelly have lived all but a few of their 59 years as husband and wife within walking distance of St. Robert Church and School. Their10 children – 6 daughters and four sons - are all St. Robert school graduates with James III the last in 1977. “For 20 years there were Kellys in the school,” Jim said. Mary echoed that she used to tell people the indentations on the sidewalk between their home and the parish compound “were from me and the kids making our way down Oak Street.” Jim is a former secretary of the Parish Council and among St. Robert’s original extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Mary laughs as she remembers herself as one of the first “yard duty ladies” at the school.

“St. Robert’s has been blessed with fantastic lay people who will do anything for the good of the parish,” Jim said. “You ask them and they will find a way to get it done.” That richness also extends through time. Jim said, to the clergy and women religious who have served in the parish and school. “Over the years marvelous and dedicated nuns have given kids a very solid education that prepares them for years ahead,” Jim said. “The clergy here have worked super hard building, expanding and getting programs underway for women, men and youth. Today’s thriving, social parish is an outgrowth of that.”

The Kelly family has met occasions through the years when they have considered giving up their San Bruno home. “In earlier years, we wondered if we had outgrown the house,” Jim said, “and in more recent years if the house is now too big for just the two of us.” The retired newspaper writer and editor – his career includes10 years with the Catholic Monitor and 14 years in the public relations office at the University of San Francisco - said St. Robert’s figured in both decisions.

“St. Robert’s is what keeps us here,” Jim said. “The parish – its religious part and social part – has been a strong anchor for us.”

“This a great faith community and a good old place,” said Virginia Yanke, who with her husband, Joe, has lived in St. Robert’s since 1972. Their daughters, Patricia Entsinger and Jeanne Kucsak are graduates of the parish school. Two grandchildren are now students there.

Virginia is a volunteer staff person at the parish. “All leaders of clubs meet once a month to facilitate good communication among the organizations and I oversee those meetings,” Virginia said. “It’s an evening of help and advice.” More than a dozen groups are involved including the Women’s Guild, Men’s Club, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Grown-ups and the In-Betweeners, whose membership are people not yet senior but also no longer young adult.

“I love everything about St. Robert’s,” Virginia said. “It’s about people, community, friendship and spirituality.” Virginia and Joe lost a son in an accident 11 years ago. “When Michael died the parish swallowed us up with love, affection and concern,” Virginia said.

“I love being here,” Msgr. Dreier said, “whether I’m presiding at Mass or in the schoolyard with the kids or at a meeting or social gathering. This parish is strong and healthy and I look forward to the opportunity to use the gifts and ability God has given me to help build upon the community here. I see my role as doing what I can to bring the Lord’s presence to the folks I meet each day whether it’s in a formal or informal situation.”

“What defines St. Robert’s the most is Eucharist,” Msgr. Dreier said. “It’s what brings us together. A lot of what we do and what we’re about is breaking bread and sharing.”

An hour of great responsibility

Following is the homily given by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger April 18 in Rome at the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff. One day later the Cardinal Electors elected Cardinal Ratzinger the successor to the See of Peter.

At this hour of great responsibility, we hear with special consideration what the Lord says to us in his own words. From the three readings I would like to examine just a few passages which concern us directly at this time.

The first reading gives us a prophetic depiction of the person of the Messiah—a depiction which takes all its meaning from the moment Jesus reads the text in the synagogue in Nazareth, when He says: “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk 4:21). At the core of the prophetic text we find a word which seems contradictory, at least at first sight. The Messiah, speaking of Himself, says that He was sent “To announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God” (Is 61:2). We hear with joy the news of a year of favor: divine mercy puts a limit on evil—the Holy Father told us. Jesus Christ is divine mercy in person: encountering Christ means encountering the mercy of God. Christ’s mandate has become our mandate through priestly anointing. We are called to proclaim —not only with our words, but with our lives, and through the valuable signs of the sacraments—the “year of favor from the Lord”. But what does the prophet Isaiah mean when he announces the “day of vindication by our God”? In Nazareth, Jesus did not pronounce these words in His reading of the prophet’s text—Jesus concluded by announcing the year of favor. Was this, perhaps, the reason for the scandal which took place after His sermon? We do not know. In any case, the Lord gave a genuine commentary on these words by being put to death on the cross. Saint Peter says: “He Himself bore our sins in His body upon the cross” (1 Pet 2:24). And Saint Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: “Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree’, that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal 3:13).

The mercy of Christ is not a cheap grace; it does not presume a trivialization of evil. Christ carries in His body and on His soul all the weight of evil, and all its destructive force. He burns and transforms evil through suffering, in the fire of His suffering love. The day of vindication and the year of favor meet in the paschal mystery, in Christ died and risen. This is the vindication of God: He Himself, in the person of the Son, suffers for us. The more we are touched by the mercy of the Lord, the more we draw closer in solidarity with His suffering—and become willing to bear in our flesh “what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ” (Col 1:24).

In the second reading, the letter to the Ephesians, we see basically three aspects: first, the ministries and charisms in the Church, as gifts of the Lord risen and ascended into heaven. Then there is the maturing of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, as a condition and essence of unity in the body of Christ. Finally, there is the common participation in the growth of the body of Christ—of the transformation of the world into communion with the Lord.

Let us dwell on only two points. The first is the journey towards “the maturity of Christ” as it is said in the Italian text, simplifying it a bit. More precisely, according to the Greek text, we should speak of the “measure of the fullness of Christ”, to which we are called to reach in order to be true adults in the faith. We should not remain infants in faith, in a state of minority. And what does it mean to be an infant in faith? Saint Paul answers: it means “tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery” (Eph 4:14). This description is very relevant today!

How many winds of doctrine we have known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking… The small boat of thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves—thrown from one extreme to the other: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism, and so forth. Every day new sects are created and what Saint Paul says about human trickery comes true, with cunning which tries to draw those into error (cf Eph 4:14). Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and “swept along by every wind of teaching”, looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today’s standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires.

However, we have a different goal: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. Being an “Adult” means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today’s fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature. It is this friendship which opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth. We must become mature in this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith—only faith—which creates unity and takes form in love. On this theme, Saint Paul offers us some beautiful words—in contrast to the continual ups and downs of those were are like infants, tossed about by the waves: (he says) make truth in love, as the basic formula of Christian existence. In Christ, truth and love coincide. To the extent that we draw near to Christ, in our own life, truth and love merge. Love without truth would be blind; truth without love would be like “a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1).

Looking now at the richness of the Gospel reading, I would like to make only two small observations. The Lord addresses to us these wonderful words: “I no longer call you slaves...I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15). So many times we feel like, and it is true, that we are only useless servants. (cf Lk 17:10). And despite this, the Lord calls us friends, He makes us His friends, He gives us His friendship. The Lord defines friendship in a dual way. There are no secrets among friends: Christ tells us all everything He hears from the Father; He gives us His full trust, and with that, also knowledge. He reveals His face and His heart to us. He shows us His tenderness for us, His passionate love that goes to the madness of the cross. He entrusts us, He gives us power to speak in His name: “this is my body...,” “I forgive you....” He entrusts us with His body, the Church. He entrusts our weak minds and our weak hands with His truth—the mystery of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the mystery of God who “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (Jn 3:16). He made us His friends—and how do we respond?

The second element with which Jesus defines friendship is the communion of wills. For the Romans “Idem velle—idem nolle,” (same desires, same dislikes ) was also the definition of friendship. “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (Jn 15:14). Friendship with Christ coincides with what is said in the third request of the Our Father: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. At the hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus transformed our rebellious human will in a will shaped and united to the divine will. He suffered the whole experience of our autonomy—and precisely bringing our will into the hands of God, He gave us true freedom: “Not my will, but your will be done.” In this communion of wills our redemption takes place: being friends of Jesus to become friends of God. How much more we love Jesus, how much more we know Him, how much more our true freedom grows as well as our joy in being redeemed. Thank you, Jesus, for your friendship!

The other element of the Gospel to which I would like to refer is the teaching of Jesus on bearing fruit: “I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain” (Jn 15:16). It is here that is expressed the dynamic existence of the Christian, the apostle: I chose you to go and bear fruit....” We must be inspired by a holy restlessness: restlessness to bring to everyone the gift of faith, of friendship with Christ. In truth, the love and friendship of God was given to us so that it would also be shared with others. We have received the faith to give it to others—we are priests meant to serve others. And we must bring a fruit that will remain. All people want to leave a mark which lasts. But what remains? Money does not. Buildings do not, nor books. After a certain amount of time, whether long or short, all these things disappear. The only thing which remains forever is the human soul, the human person created by God for eternity. The fruit which remains then is that which we have sowed in human souls—love, knowledge, a gesture capable of touching the heart, words which open the soul to joy in the Lord. Let us then go to the Lord and pray to Him, so that He may help us bear fruit which remains. Only in this way will the earth be changed from a valley of tears to a garden of God.

In conclusion, returning again to the letter to the Ephesians, which says with words from Psalm 68 that Christ, ascending into heaven, “gave gifts to men” (Eph 4:8). The victor offers gifts. And these gifts are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Our ministry is a gift of Christ to humankind, to build up His body—the new world. We live out our ministry in this way, as a gift of Christ to humanity! But at this time, above all, we pray with insistence to the Lord, so that after the great gift of Pope John Paul II, he again gives us a pastor according to His own heart, a pastor who guides us to knowledge in Christ, to His love and to true joy. Amen.

Reflection
John Paul II: Priest for the World

Joseph F. Previtali

The readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter deal with themes of service, vocation, priesthood and faith. Joseph Previtali, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of San Francisco studying in Rome, offers these reflections on the priesthood of Pope John Paul II. It has been said that Pope John Paul II is the best vocations director in Church history. Indeed, his example and words during his time as Supreme Pontiff, in some mysterious way, set fire to the hearts of countless young men to open themselves fully to the possibility that God may be calling them to give their lives to serve as priests for Christ and the Church.

What was it that made John Paul II such an effective witness to the beauty of the priestly vocation? In reflecting on his impact in my own vocational discernment, I came up with a very simple, yet important, answer: John Paul II made the priesthood cool. That may sound superficial, but I think there is much truth in that statement.

John Paul II was everything any young man would want to be. He was a charismatic intellectual—an actor, athlete, poet, playwright, and philosopher—with a dynamic personality, quick wit, and contagious sense of humor. This incredibly gifted man, who was equipped to be a great success in the world and in the world’s eyes, instead decided to reject the lure of the world for the radical lifestyle of the celibate Roman Catholic priest. His witness cannot be underestimated in its effect on the hearts of young men who struggled and still struggle to respond to a vocation to the priesthood, for fear of missing out on worldly success. He was a powerful sign that inspired young men to say, ‘Yes!’ to Christ’s call to leave everything and follow Him completely.

However, his worldly coolness was only the surface-level attraction that he brought to the priesthood. There was something much deeper in the life of this holy priest that drew young men to the priesthood. Both his example and his teaching on the priesthood speak directly to the hearts of young Catholic men today, who long to live the Gospel in a heroic way, and who long for the great challenge of living completely for Christ. His total dedication to Christ is at the core of his coolness. John Paul II’s holiness was apparent in his every word and deed. He was transparent and truly radiated Christ.

The coolness of John Paul II, then, lies essentially in his transparency. It is Christ Who calls young men to be Him in the world. It is Christ Who gives them the wisdom to discern this vocation. And it is Christ Who gives them the grace and strength necessary to live it out joyfully and faithfully.

In radiating Christ, the Pope has been a shining example for priests, seminarians, and indeed all Christians of how to live out fully the threefold Christian vocation to be prophet, priest, and king.

As prophet, John Paul II spoke to us in a way that made our hearts burn for Christ and for the truth. He did not water down or hold back in his proclamation of the Gospel, but rather challenged us to strive for deeper holiness. In addition to his preaching in the Church, he was also a prophet in the world. His role on the world stage was unmatched by any public figure. When the Pope spoke, the world listened. And he was unafraid to proclaim Christ to a world starving for truth. His immense impact on global consciousness has been exemplified in the amount of media coverage his death has received.

Perhaps the defining characteristic of John Paul II’s pontificate was his self-sacrificing commitment to the priestly office, as he joined his own suffering to that of Christ on the cross. The world watched over the years as he has suffered numerous emotional and physical tribulations, which eventually resulted in his death. We saw how he found his strength in Christ’s cross.

John Paul II was a true example of one who responded with a whole heart to Christ’s command to “take up [his] cross and follow [Him]”. The Pope suffered much for the Church, for me and for you, and he loved us so much that he took joy in his suffering for us, just as Christ did.

The Holy Father carried out the kingly office in imitation of the Good Shepherd. Jesus teaches us that those who shepherd His flock must strive to be like Him in His love for the flock, a love so deep that He is the “Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for His sheep”. The leadership of love and service that John Paul II exemplified in his life was a brilliant example for priests and future priests of how we are to carry out the kingly office.

John Paul II has been an inspiration to me in my own vocational journey, which has led me into the seminary and one day, God willing, to the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The same is true for many young men preparing for the priesthood throughout the world. In the way we live as Christ’s priests, my brother seminarians and I will be very much John Paul II’s priests. He is our hero and our role model. This man, who always lived life to the fullest, did so also in his priesthood. He did not settle for the status quo or the lukewarm, but rather was on fire to be the best priest he could be for the People of God. He was a shining model of how a priest lives in the modern world, holding fast to Christ and bringing Him wherever he goes. John Paul II showed us how to be alter Christus—another Christ—in this world that needs Him so badly.

Six new books published on Pope John Paul II

Reviewed by Maureen E. Daly

Six new books by and about Pope John Paul II were published in the last weeks of March as the pope’s health worsened. They are reviewed in brief here.

UNIVERSAL FATHER: A LIFE OF JOHN PAUL II, by Garry O’Connor. Bloomsbury, 436 pp., $24.95.

This is a very readable new biography of the pope, filled with literary and theatrical references that help to place the pope in the context of world culture and 20th-century history. O’Connor spent 10 years researching this work, so that while it reads very smoothly it is also carefully documented. It has a detailed chronology of the pope’s life noting significant historical events, and a useful listing of the pope’s many publications with a brief description. It also has a bibliography of source material and suggestions for further reading. As an author who has written 18 other books, many on theatrical subjects including biographies of William Shakespeare, Paul Scofield and Alec Guinness, O’Connor is able to place Pope John Paul II’s life in its proper artistic and philosophical context. This biography is highly recommended.

MEMORY AND IDENTITY: CONVERSATIONS AT THE DAWN OF A MILLENNIUM, by Pope John Paul II. Rizzoli, 172 pp., $19.95.

As the realization that a great mind has passed away begins to take hold, readers may regret that they never had a chance to meet and converse with Pope John Paul II. For those readers, “Memory and Identity” will be a real pleasure. It is the edited account of conversations that the pope had with two philosopher friends. It gives the delightful sensation of sitting in on fascinating talk among persons of great intelligence, wide knowledge and compassionate perceptions. The topics they cover with pithy wisdom and historical insight include the limits of evil, freedom and responsibility, and concepts of patriotism, European identity and democracy.

THE MORAL THEOLOGY OF POPE JOHN PAUL II, by Father Charles E. Curran. Georgetown University Press, 262 pp., $26.95.

This book is a concise yet complete summary of the late pope’s moral teaching. Father Curran, a moral theologian who has served as president of three national scholarly societies of theology and ethics, gives a systematic analysis of the moral theology that underlies the pope’s authoritative teachings, specifically his 14 encyclicals. Father Curran’s own writings led to the Vatican barring him from teaching as a Catholic theologian in 1987 because of his dissent from church teaching on sexual ethics and other issues, and he left a teaching position at The Catholic University of America in Washington. However, this book is not a polemical critique but rather a useful and approachable summary of the pope’s thinking.

THE LOVING HEART: THE PRIVATE PRAYERS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II, by Pope John Paul II. Atria Books/Simon and Schuster, 179 pp., $22.

This book is a translation of an Italian book called “Il Vangelo della Sofferenza” or “The Gospel of Suffering.” Here in the pope’s own words are his thoughts and prayers on the meaning of suffering. These short selections are taken from messages written for the “World Day of the Sick” or messages addressed to the sick and suffering during his world travels or in visits to hospitals and residential clinics. Here are words of comfort and clarity. JOHN PAUL II: A LIFE IN GRACE, by Renzo Allegri, translated by Marsha Daigle-Williamson. Servant Books/St. Anthony Messenger Press, 202 pp., $14.99.

This biography, written by an expert on the life of Padre Pio, sees the pope’s life through the lens of miracles, exceptions and special graces. It moves as swiftly as an adventure story through the pope’s long, eventful and sometimes apparently miraculous life. Allegri emphasizes the pope’s several near brushes with death, especially the 1981 assassination attempt, which the biographer and the pope himself see as an example of the special protection of Our Lady of Fatima. The tone of this biography is openly reverential.

JOHN PAUL II IN THE HOLY LAND: IN HIS OWN WORDS, edited by Paulist Father Lawrence Boadt and Kevin di Camillo. Stimulus Books/Paulist Press, 156 pp., $12.95.

Pope John Paul was so prolific in his public addresses — and his words and actions and speeches provoked such widespread comment — that just one journey’s statements and reactions can form a whole book. That is what we have here. This useful book collects in one place the pope’s speeches given during his history-making visit to the Holy Land in the Jubilee Year 2000, a map of the journey, photos, and commentary from Jewish and Christian perspectives by Yehezkel Landau, an associate in interfaith relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, and Paulist Father Michael McGarry, rector of Tantur Ecumenical Institute, in the West Bank. Because it focuses on one topic this book could be a good text for an adult interfaith discussion group that is interested in furthering Christian and Jewish understanding.

Maureen Daly is book review editor at Catholic News Service.

Benedict XV served during World War I, canonized St. Joan of Arc

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The last Pope Benedict before the April 19 election of Pope Benedict XVI served in 1914-22, a period that included World War I, during which he made unsuccessful efforts to negotiate peace.

Pope Benedict XV, born Giacomo della Chiesa in 1854, was the son of Italian nobility whose mother was related to Pope Innocent VII (1404-06). According to an entry in the New Catholic Encyclopedia, “he was small, stoop-shouldered, and very thin.” After serving in the Vatican diplomatic corps, he was named archbishop of Bologna, Italy, and was consecrated in the Sistine Chapel in 1907 by Pope Pius X. He was made a cardinal in 1914, three months before the death of Pius X.

According to the encyclopedia article, “he probably took the name Benedict in memory of the last pope elected from the see of Bologna, Benedict XIV (1740-58).

On Aug. 1, 1917, Pope Benedict XV made a formal peace proposal that included “substitution of the ‘moral force of right’ for military force; reciprocal decrease in armaments; arbitration of international disputes.”

His peace proposal was rebuffed, but he made efforts to relieve people’s suffering from the war. Among other things, he established an international missing-persons bureau, established relief agencies and assigned priests to visit the wounded and prisoners of war. “So generous was he in such activities that at his death the Holy See was virtually bankrupt,” the encyclopedia article reported.

After the war, “the pope deplored some aspects of the settlement, considering the reparations imposed on Germany too harsh and believing that the treaty contained the seeds of future wars,” the article said.

Benedict XV wrote a dozen encyclicals, including “Spiritus Paraclitus” (1920) on modern biblical criticism. He canonized three saints in 1920 — Joan of Arc, Margaret Mary Alacoque and Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother.

In 1922, at age 67, Pope Benedict fell ill and died.

LOCAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Statement of San Francisco Archbishop Levada on the Election of Pope Benedict XVI

As Archbishop of San Francisco, I give thanks to God for the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as our new Pope Benedict XVI. I pray with Catholics throughout the world, and with so many other Christians, with people of other religious traditions, and with people of good will everywhere, that God grant him wisdom and strength to serve the unity of the Catholic Church in faith and love as our new Pope.

Our late, beloved Holy Father Pope John Paul II has left an enormous legacy for the Church, and has placed his own indelible stamp upon the modern papacy. Our new Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI was one of John Paul’s closest collaborators throughout his papacy, and no doubt was recognized by his peers in the College of Cardinals for his gifts of theological preparation and extensive knowledge of the Church.

In my own relations with Cardinal Ratzinger over the years - working under him as an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith when he became Prefect in 1981, as a member of the Editorial Committee for the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1986-94), and as a bishop-member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 2002 – I have come to know him as unfailingly gracious and fair by personal temperament, as well as keenly interested in and knowledgeable about pastoral concerns throughout the universal Church.

Cardinal Ratzinger’s long hoped-for return to his native Bavaria at the end of his service in the Vatican has now been given a new direction and challenge by divine Providence. May we all support Pope Benedict XVI in the daunting task he has been asked to assume. May God grant him full measure of divine grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Father, ad multos annos!

April 19, 2004

St. Rose Academy alumnae gather for reunion

Conversation, singing and laughter filled the Grand Ballroom of the St. Francis Hotel April 9 when alumnae of St. Rose Academy held a reunion luncheon, which drew 930 former students, teachers and administrators.

The reunion was organized by Maureen Finigan Horan ‘69, Dominican Sister Karen Marie Franks, ‘45, Maryanne Kavanaugh Murray ‘54, Sheilagh Donohue O’Connor ‘63, Chris Collins, ‘65, Peggy Kays O’Brien ‘69, MaryKay Ferdon Leveroni ‘72, Carol Devincenzi ‘72, Karen Mondon Scarpulla ‘72, Christina McDonald D’Arcy ‘84, Sally Alioto O’Connell ‘89 and Karen Atkinson ‘90.

Founded in 1862 by the Dominican sisters of San Rafael at the request of Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, St. Rose Academy played an active and vital role in meeting the religious, educational and cultural needs of the daughters of San Francisco families. The school closed in 1990 as a result of damages sustained in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. More than 120 Dominican Sisters served at St. Rose Academy, which counts more than 3,000 graduates. Visit www.stroseacademy.org for more information.

Maryanne Murray contributed to this report.

DATEBOOK

Food & Fun

April 23: St. Mary’s Medical Center offers Free health screenings at the 2005 Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free Blood Pressure Checks, Diabetes Testing, Cholesterol Check, Bone Density & much more. Look for our medical van on Post at Laguna Street.

April 29, 30, May 1: It’s a Wonderful World, 8th annual St. Gregory Parish Festival, 28th and Hacienda St. in San Mateo, Friday, 6-10p.m. Saturday, 1-10 p.m. Sunday, 1-8p.m. Complete with rides, attractions, games, food, entertainment, and more. “A great weekend for kids and adults alike,” said parishioner Marcie Zacharias. For more info call (650) 573-0111 or http://www.stgregs-sammateo.org

April 30: All Hallows #182, Young Ladies Institute, 24th Annual May Crowning and Living Rosary, at 7:30 p.m. in All Hallows Chapel, Newhall and Palou, SF. Call Sue Elvander at (415) 467-8872.

April 30: At. Anne Parish Annual Flea Market, in parish school yard, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Donate items or reserve a space by calling, Yolando Lawrence, (650) 355-7242;

April 30: Cabana Club, annual auction and dinner dance benefiting St. Brendan Elementary School Takes place in Sister Diane Erbacher Parish Center, named for Dominican Sister Diane Erbacher principal for the last 40 years and retiring in June. Begins at 6 p.m. with complimentary Margaritas and silent auction with dinner at 8 p.m. and live auction at 9 p.m. Dance from 10 – midnight. Tickets are $85 per person. For reservations and more information, call Theresa at (415) 564-8372.

April 30: Good Shepherd Guild’s Spring Luncheon/Fashion Show at Olympic Club, Lakeside, benefiting the Good Shepherd’s Sisters’ Gracenter with social hour at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person. Call Beverly Desmond at (415) 587-5374.

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 23: Sister is back. Late Nite Catechism II comes to St. Stephen Parish, Eucalyptus Dr. and 23rd Ave. at 7pm. Tickets are $35.00. “It’s the sequel to Late Nite Catechism and very funny. It’s awesome.” For more information call JR at (415) 681.2444, ext. 26.

April 24: Benefit concert 2-4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nicasio. Dennis McNeil and Friends perform a variety of musical styles from opera to Irish, blues and jazz. The acoustics of the small, wood framed church guarantee an amazing event. Advanced tickets are $50 per person. Seating is limited. Call Spike or Kathy Drady at (415) 662-2057. Wine and cheese will be served after the event, weather permitting. Proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Church. Dennis McNeil has sung with the New York City Opera as well as Bruce Hornsby, The Grateful Dead, San Francisco Opera, New Orleans Opera and Los Angeles Opera.

April 29, 30, May 1: The St. Cecilia School Drama Club presents a musical revue featuring songs from Peter Pan, Annie, West Side Story, Annie Get Your Gun and Oliver at the Mercy High School Theater. Curtain at 8 p.m. except May 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

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. April 24: Harry Bernstein Flute Trio.

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. April 24: Music for Flute and Organ with Kris Palmer and John Renke.

Prayer/Lectures/Trainings

Through May 3: Exploring the Eucharist, A Special Series Celebrating the Year of the Eucharist. The Church calls the Eucharist the source and summit of our faith. Yet it’s easy for us to just go through the motions, never really experiencing it fully. Come discover the deeper meaning of everything we do at our Eucharist, and explore ways of experiencing it more deeply. This series is open to people of all ages and is offered Tuesday Evenings, April 5th-May 3rd, 7:30-9 p.m.; and Thursdays April 7th-May 5th, 2:30-4 p.m. at. St. Dominic Church, Bush and Steiner St., SF. Contact Scott Moyer, 415-674-0422, scott@stdominics.org. 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.

Young Adults

Office of Young Adult Ministry and Campus Ministry: Connecting late teens, 20s and 30s, single and married to the Catholic Church. Contact Mary Jansen, 415-614-5596,jansenm@sfarchdiocese.org. Check out our Web site for a list of events around the Bay Area and download our Newsletter at www.sfyam.org. We publish a quarterly newsletter to connect college students and young adults to the Catholic Church. April 26: Catholic Lobby Day. Calling young adults to participate in Catholic Lobby Day 2005. Take the day off work and join 900 Catholics in Sacramento to pray, listen and advocate on behalf of the poor and disenfranchized of our society. We will carpool or take a bus from SF at 7am for the 9am - 4pm gathering. Contact Mary Jansen, 415-614-5596, jansenm@sfarchdiocese.org.

August 11-22: Please pray for our young adults preparing for the pilgrimage to World Youth Day to Cologne, Germany 2005. Financial support is appreciated. For more information, www.sfyam.org. 2nd and 4th Mon.: St. Vincent de Paul Young Adult Group meets. “Just show up and be part of our community.” Meetings take place at SVDP, Steiner and Green, SF at 7:30 p.m.

Thurs. at 7:30 p.m.: St. Dominic Adult Formation Series in the parish hall 2390 Bush St. at Steiner, SF. Explore the skills needed to understand the bible and help it inform daily life. Join at any time. Contact Scott Moyer at scott@stdominics.org.

Single, Divorced, Separated

April 23: Potluck Supper at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral conference center. Sponsored by Divorced and Separated Ministry of the Archdiocese. Call Vonnie at (650) 873-4236.

Separated and Divorced support group meets 1st and 3rd Wed. at 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen Parish Center, SF, call Gail at (650) 591-8452.

Catholic Adult Singles Assoc. of Marin meets for support and activities. Call Bob at (415) 897-0639 for information.

Consolation Ministry

Groups meet at the following parishes. Please call numbers shown for more information.

San Mateo County: St. Catherine of Siena, Burlingame. Call (650) 344-6884; Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame. Call Louise Nelson at (650) 343-8457 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Redwood City. Call (650) 366-3802; Good Shepherd, Pacifica. Call Sister Carol Fleitz at (650) 355-2593; St. Robert, San Bruno. Call (650) 589-2800. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Belmont. Call Ann Ponty at (650) 598-0658 or Mary Wagner at (650) 591-3850.

Marin County: St. Isabella, San Rafael. Call Pat Sack at (415) 472-5732. Our Lady of Loretto, Novato. Call Sister Jeanette at (415) 897-2171.

San Francisco: St.Gabriel. Call Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882. St. Finn Barr in English and Spanish. Call Carmen Solis at (415) 584-0823; St. Cecilia. Call Peggy Abdo at (415) 564-7882 ext. 3; Epiphany in Spanish. Call Kathryn Keenan at (415) 564-7882. St. Dominic. Call Margaret Passanisi at (415) 931-5241.

Ministry for parents who have lost a child is available from Our Lady of Angels Parish, Burlingame. Call Ina Potter at (650) 347-6971 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579.

Young Widow/Widower group meets at St. Gregory, San Mateo. Call Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882.

Information about children’s and teen groups is available from Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882.

Returning Catholics

Programs for Catholics interested in returning to the Church, have been established at the following parishes:

Marin County: St. Hilary, Tiburon, Mary Musalo, (415) 435-2775; St. Anselm, Ross, call (415) 453-2342; St. Sebastian, Greenbrae, Jean Mariani at (415) 461-7060; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Mill Valley, Rick Dullea at (415) 388-4190; St. Mary Star of the Sea, Sausalito, Lloyd Dulbecco at (415) 331-7949.

San Francisco: Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, SF, Michael Adams at (415) 695-2707; St. Philip the Apostle, 725 Diamond St. at Elizabeth/24th, SF. Call (415) 282-0141; St. Dominic, SF, Lee Gallery at (415) 221-1288; Holy Name of Jesus, SF, (415) 664-8590.

San Mateo County: St. Bartholomew, San Mateo, Dan Stensen at (650) 344-5665; St. Catherine of Siena, Burlingame, Silvia Chiesa at (650) 685-8336; Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame, Dorothy Heinrichs or Maria Cianci at (650) 347-7768; St. Dunstan, Millbrae, Dianne Johnston at (650) 697-0952; Our Lady of the Pillar, Half Moon Bay, Meghan at (650) 726-4337; St. Peter, Pacifica, Chris Booker at (650) 738-1398; St. Matthew, San Mateo. Jim Shea at (650) 344-7622.

Volunteer Opportunities

St. Anthony Padua Dining Room in Menlo Park needs volunteers Wed., Thurs, and Sat. from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help prepare and serve noon meals. More than 500 people daily are helped by the program. Call (650) 365-9664.

St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco needs your help at its Help Desk. Service includes sorting donations and helping clients. If anyone would like to volunteer - also small groups of volunteers one Saturday a month - they should call (415) 202-9955.”

St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo County needs Spanish/English-speaking volunteers to answer phones in 2 – 3 hour shifts between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at their offices, 50 No. B St., San Mateo. Volunteers do intake of clients’ requests, log the call and enter into Access-based computer data system. Call (650) 373-0620.