March 26, 2017

Fourth Sunday of Lent 1 Sam 16:1:13; Eph 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Saint Paul’s challenge to us to live as children of light is easier said than done. Witness our reading from the first Book of Samuel and what we just heard from the ninth chapter of John’s Gospel.

First, Samuel sets out to anoint God’s choice to replace Saul as king of Israel. Samuel gets caught up in judging Jesse’s sons by external appearances alone, and not by their hearts, as the Lord expects Samuel to do.

Beginning with Eliab, who Samuel believed to be the one, Jesse’s sons are pa-raded in front of Samuel and, one by one, they are rejected after being remind-ed by the Lord how to pick a worthy candidate. Finally David, who is seen by his father as the youngest and therefore the least likely candidate to be a leader,

is anointed by Samuel.

At the moment of his anointing, our first reading tells us, The spirit of the Lord rushed upon David. In a little less than two weeks at the Easter Vigil, our candidates for baptism and confirmation will feel that same spirit rushing upon them. This experience gives the rest of us the opportunity to reflect on whether or not we need to reawaken the spirit of God dwelling within us.

In the Gospel today, recall how the blind man cured by Jesus moves from seeing Jesus as a prophet to bantering with the Pharisees, to finally becoming a believer in Jesus as the Promised One. This conversion process is in stark contrast to the intransigence of the Pharisees, whose power and status were being undermined, they believed, by this itinerant preacher known as Jesus the Nazarene.

In the end, Jesus points to the blindness of the Pharisees. This sort of blindness, frankly, is much harder to cure than physical blindness. It can manifest itself as blindness to the needs of those around us, especially the most marginalized and powerless in our midst. It can be blindness toward a lonely neighbor or a struggling teenager or a stressed-out spouse. It is blindness to the need to see as God sees, and not as humankind sees.

Pope Francis is constantly challenging believers and non-believers alike to love and care for one another and to love and care for our earthly home. We are not called to like everybody, which is humanly impossible, but we are called to love everyone, which is possible, because God said it is our job to do so.

Too often today in our polarized world, we think that if we don’t like someone’s political affili-ation, religious beliefs or moral standards that means we don’t have to love them. Quite the contrary; it is our loving example, and not our brilliantly crafted rebuttals, that wins souls for Christ. That, after all, is what it means to be a good and faithful steward of the Lord. Our job therefore as children of light is to bring others to the Light of all Lights – Jesus Christ.

Thanks for joining us in the celebration of Mass today and may your Lenten journey continue to be faith filled as we head toward the Easter Festival –

Father Tony

HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for our 9:30 a.m. Mass

Today, Mar. 26 - St. Vincent de Paul Sunday, Apr. 2 - Bob Anthony Team Sunday, Apr. 9 - Vicky Francisco

Our Liturgical Week

Monday, Mar. 27 8:00 a.m. Enes Greco (By: Barbara Stephens) Tuesday, Mar. 28 8:00 a.m. Paulina Grajera (By: Michael Griffin)

Wednesday, Mar. 29 8:00 a. m . Special Intentions (By: Doreen Aguirre) 7:00 p.m. Taize Service

Thursday, Mar. 30 8:00 a.m. Emidio & Edviges Fernandes (By: Joe & Josie Fernandes) 9:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross

Friday, Mar. 31 8:00 a.m Fouad Mishieky (By: Antoinette Mishirky)

Saturday, Apr. 1 8:00 a.m. Alberto Bato (By: Anonymous) 3:30 a.m. Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. Reynaldo & Warlita Pira (By: Freddy & Thelma Ramos) Sunday, Apr. 2 8:00 a.m. Elizabeth Kelly (By: Peggy O’Driscoll) 9:30 a. m. Bill Herbert (By: Ed Prete) 11:30 a.m. Ana Kho (By: Letty Pamplona)

6:45 p.m. John Meany (By: Fr. Tony)

P lease pray for the sick and homebound of our

community and for all those written in our book of the sick. May they know the healing touch of Jesus.

Larry Barbiere, Edileide Jose Barbosa, Carol Dominguez, Eden Finn, Emma Lew,

Al Gragnani, Maria Matthews, Nenita Sangalang, Juan Pablo Grover-Paez,

Jovita & Richard Thompson, and Patricia Sullivan.

Second Collection Next Weekend A second collection will be taken at all masses April 1 and 2 for

St. Stephen Building Maintenance & Repair

St Stephen Events Calendar

Monday 12:00 p.m. 50+ Club/Hall 3:00 p.m. Play Rehearsal/ Hall 3:30 p.m. Faith Formation/Church & Offices Tuesday 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall 2:30 p.m. School Play Rehearsal/Hall 3:30 p.m. Fashion Show Rehearsal/Hall 4:00 p.m. Philharmonic Orch./Hall 7:00 p.m. Parish Choir Rehearsal/Church Wednesday 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall 3:00 p.m. School Play Rehearsal/ Hall 6:30 p.m. Lenten Soup Supper/Hall 7:00 p.m. Taize Service/Church 7:00 p.m. RCIA/Parish Office

Thursday 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall 3:00 p.m. School Play Rehearsal/ Hall 3:30 p.m. Fashion Show Rehearsal/Hall

Friday 7:30 p.m. G.A. Closed Meeting/EC

Saturday 8:00 a.m. Event/Hall 12:00 p.m. School Fashion Show/Olympic Club Sunday 1:00 p.m. School Play Practice/Hall 7:00 p.m. Adult Vollyball/Gym

(Contact our office for more information)

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — As the prophet Samuel anointed David with oil, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David and remained with him from that day forward Psalm — The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Psalm 23). Second Reading — You who were once darkness are now light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Gospel — The man who was blind from birth pro-claimed: The one called Jesus made clay with his saliva, anointed my eyes with it, and told me to wash. When I washed, I was able to see! (John 9:1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38])

2017 ANNUAL APPEAL “In Progress - thru Mar. 26, 2017”

A reminder, that our Annual Appeal tax this year is $93,428.00. We ask that you pray over your donation and give according to your means. The total received to date is $22,490.00, leaving a balance of $70,938. We thank the following households for their participation in this year’s appeal. (Fr. Tony)

Donors: Anonymous

Mrs. Dorothy Arata Mr. and Mrs. Paul Au

Mr. and Mrs. John Azevedo Ms. Maria Baja

Mrs. Maria Barzoloski Mr. and Mrs. Moises Bau sta, Jr.

Dr. Richard L. Blake Mr. Clemence Blondo

Mr. and Mrs. James Brady Mrs. Maria E. Brooks

Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bruneman Mr. and Mrs. John Bruno

Mrs. Nancy Buckley Mr. and Mrs. Carlos R. Cajilig, Jr.

Mrs. Be y Carley Miss Adelaida R. Caunan

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Cayabyab Mr. and Mrs. Graziano Cerchiai

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Champagne Mr. Nelson Chen and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Yata

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cleary Ms. Patricia Cloonan

Mr. James F. Cook Mr. and Mrs. Robert Defea

Mr. and Mrs. Arsenio Del Rosario Mr. and Mrs. Domenico Di Grande

Ms. Irene Dobbins Mr. and Mrs. Michael Duffy Mr. and Mrs. John J. Duggan Mr. and Mrs. David Dulany Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dunn

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Fambrini Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Fernandez Mr. and Mrs. Primo Fernandez

Ms. Be y Ganduglia Mr. and Mrs. Richard Garcia-Kennedy

Mr. and Mrs. Gavin D. Garzee Mrs. Elinor Ga o

Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Guzman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hazard

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jarnutowski Ms. Cynthia G. Kelly Mrs. Elizabeth Knaus

NOTE: It has recently come to our attention that some AAA donor’s names aren’t listed in the bulletin. This is due to a change in how the Archdiocese processes your AAA donations. Also, the new AAA year be-gan on February 1st (January donations were credited to AAA 2016). Envelopes received are sent to the Arch-diocese (unopened) 2-3 times each month. Electronic donations through our website are reported to the Arch-diocese at the end of each month. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.

Rev. Tony La Torre Mr. Paul Laveroni

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leach Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Leehane

Ms. Margareta Lim Mr. and Mrs. Dan Linehan

Mr. and Mrs. Ma hew Lobre Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lou

Mr. and Mrs. Warren Lubich Mrs. Marilyn Maloney and Mr. Con Maloney

Mrs. and Mrs. Ralph Mapson Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Mazzola

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. McDonough Mr. Daniel McGarry and Mrs. Courtney Cassinelli

Mrs. Charles Meyers Dr. Charles Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morello Ms. Ma lda Morey

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parini Ms. Lisa Perez

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Phair Mr. and Mrs. James Phillips

Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Prete Mr. and Mrs. Ma hew Quane

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ramos Dr. and Mrs. Mariano Rayos

Mr. and Mrs. John Ritchie Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ryan

Salesforce.com Founda on Mr. Guido J. Salomone, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Salvemini Ms. Debra A. Schneider

Ms. Deborah Lobo Ms. Lutzie E. So o

Ms. Louise Stagnaro Mr. and Mrs. Peter Stephans

Mrs. Jane Storseter Mr. Noli Tamase

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. Teshara Mr. John Thomas

Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Torres Mrs. Milagros Ubungen

Mr. and Mrs. George Vella

Want to contribute to a specific need? Please take a look at our wish list!

St Stephen Pastor Wish List

1. Fifty New Monthly Donors ($100/month)

2. New Rectory Garage Doors ($7,400)

3. Replace Church Sound System ($44,000)

4. New Carpet Installation ($75,000)

5. Paint Church Interior ($100,000) Any gift you make to our ministry will help us bring the light of Christ to more parishioners at Saint Stephen Church. Want to make a difference? Contact Fr. Tony at FatherTony@SaintStephenSF.org.

ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL CLASS OF 1967

50th GOLDEN REUNION

The Class of 1967 is planning their 50th Gold-en Reunion! For more information, please contact Reunion Committee Chairs Marty Cerles or Jeannie Perasso Peters at

ststephensreunion67@gmail.com

or Katherine Moser, School Development Di-rector, at katyjomc@comcast.net.

Palm Sunday Reconciliation, Saturday 3:30-4:15pm Vigil Mass (Saturday) 4:30pm

8:00, 9:30, 11:30am & 6:45pm

Holy Week Masses 8:00am (Mon., Tue., Wed.)

Holy Thursday (No morning Mass)

Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7:30pm Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament

until 10pm

Good Friday (No morning Mass)

Stations of the Cross, 12:00pm Spiritual Reflection, 12:30pm

Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord, 1:30pm

The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night (No morning Mass or Reconciliation)

Vigil Mass, 8:00pm

Easter Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:30am & 6:45pm

Easter Egg Hunt following 9:30am Mass

NOTE! • There will be no confessions on Holy Saturday, but confessions will be available on Good Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. • Also, this year a 6:45 p.m. mass will be celebrated on Easter Sunday

PASTORAL STAFF

Rev. Tony P. LaTorre Pastor ext.25

fathertony@saintstephensf.org

Rev. Mr. Rory Desmond

Permanent Deacon

Rhonda Smith Coordinator of Music & Liturgy ext. 32

Mary Molly Mullaney

Faith Formation Coordinator ext.27

Mrs. Sharon McCarthy Allen School Principal

Jim Cook

Parish Manager ext.23

Shay Ingelfinger Event Center Coordinator ext.33

Jan Almeida

Bookkeeper ext.29

ST STEPHEN PARISH 2016-2017

ORGANIZATION/MINISTRY CONTACT PERSON

• Altar Servers Giovanna Hrvatin

• Altar Society Joan Leehane

• Bridge Group Helen Perlite

• Caritas Nellie Hizon

• Church Hospitality Mary Molly Mullaney

• Communion Ministers Rhonda Smith

• Faith Formation Mary Molly Mullaney

• Fifty Plus Club Helga D’Arcy • Finance Council Laura Birsinger

• Grief Support Clergy

• Lectors Rhonda Smith

• Liturgy Committee Fr. Tony

• Marriage Preparation Clergy

• Men’s Club John Bankovitch

• Music Rhonda Smith • Parish Council Vicky Francisco

• RCIA Mary Molly Mullaney

• St. Stephen Book Club Veronica Wong

• St. Vincent de Paul Julie O’Callaghan

• Ushers Bob Anthony

• Women’s Guild Daniela Franco & Maira Hallinan

Our warmest welcome to all who celebrate with us.

You can sign up or update your information by completing this form & placing it in the collection basket, by mailing it to the Parish Office, by phone at 681-2444 or online at www.saintstephensf.org!

Name ______________________________________ Address ___________________________________

City/Zip _____________________ Phone ________________________ Email _____________________

Our parishioners receive the Archdiocese weekly newspaper “Catholic San Francisco.” I am interested in assisting with the Parish in the following way(s):

• Acolyte/Altar Service • Altar Society • Children’s Liturgy of the Word Choir • Greeter/Usher • Hospitality after Mass/Special Events

• Holy Communion Ministers to the Home-bound

• Lector/Holy Communion Ministers • Music/Choir

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Our Altar Servers Our special “thanks” to our student Altar Servers who faithfully continue to volunteer their time and talent to our parish. Our Altar Servers for March 13 thru 19 were:

— Weekday Masses —

Alyssa Fambrini, John Brooks, Mikel Villamayorn, Kevin Hernandez, Charlotte Davey, Gino Andrini, Cian O’Donoghue, Genevieve Davey, Giovanna Franco, Darragh Keane and Kyle Simmons.

— Weekend Masses —

Dory Miller, Elise Ramsey, Charlotte Davey, Genevieve Davey, Cooper Andersen, Giovanna Franco, Anthony Zevallos, Gina Zevallos, Molly Linehan, Patrick Linehan, Sarah Krauss, Olivia Lamb,

Christopher Bautista, Mateo Guzman and Miguel Guzman. THANK YOU!

Easter Flowers

As we prepare for the solemnity of Easter, we look forward to the joy of the Resurrection. We hope to express our joy by filling our church with a bountiful display of Easter flowers. Help us cover the cost of our flowers by making a $15 donation (per name) in memory of loved ones, or to honor someone special. Please fill out this form and return it to the O’Reilly Parish Office

not later than Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

I would like to have Easter flowers placed in the church in

loving memory of:

………………………………………………………………

………………………….……………………………………

I would like to have Easter flowers placed in the church in honor of:

…………………….……………………………………….

……………………………………………………………...

My name

………………………………… My telephone # ……………

Enclosed is my donation of $............