we are essential: free the mass!
TRANSCRIPT
St. Stephen ParishSaintStephenSF.org | 451 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco CA 94132 | Church 415 681-2444 StStephenSchoolSF.org | 401 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco 94132 | School 415 664-8331
Weekday Mass: 8:00 a.m. Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30 p.m. or by appt. Vigil Mass Saturday 4:30 p.m. Sunday Mass 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.
We are Essential: Free the MASS!
October 4, 2020
Gratitude
Today, upon a bus, I saw a very handsome man,
and wished I were as beautiful. When suddenly he rose to leave, I saw him hobble down the aisle.
He had one leg and wore a crutch. But as he passed, he passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine.
I stopped to buy some candy, The lad who sold it had such charm, I talked with him, he seemed so glad,
If I were late, it'd do no harm. And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind. It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind." Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes; the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street, I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play, but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join them dear?" He looked ahead without a word,
I forgot, he couldn't hear. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears; the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go, With eyes to see the sunset's glow,
With ears to hear what I'd know. With loving family friends to enjoy life
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I've been blessed indeed,
the world is mine.
Our Mission Statement We are a Catholic Community that is called by God to follow Jesus Christ. We believe that we are called to worship God together, to lead God's people along the path of hope laid down by Jesus, to share his message through preaching, through the educa on and forma on of our people, young and old, and through caring service and sensi ve outreach to those in need. Rev. Tony P. LaTorre, Pastor
December 20, 2020
The Fourth Sunday of Advent There is a somewhat humorous, if not also very insightful, obser-vation about the often-used command in Scripture: Do not be afraid. This observation is that any time we hear “fear not,” or “do not be afraid,” something very-worth-being-afraid-of is about to happen. In other words, the words “fear not” ought to strike fear into our hearts, because we are about to be asked to do something
far outside of our comfort zone: to trust, to have faith, to grow, to love, to follow where the Lord is leading us. There is something amusing in this, because there is also some truth to it. How many of us have had children
say, “don’t’ be mad, but…” (followed by something that likely makes us mad), or heard someone say, “don’t worry, but…” (followed by something no one would blame us for worrying about).
But there is something quite insightful in this observation, too. And that is, we can laugh at the idea of it be-cause we know, in the end, that all will be well. How do we know this? Because of why we are told not to be afraid: Do not fear, I am with you (Isaiah 41:10); Be strong, do not fear! He comes to save you (Isaiah 35:4); Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid (Mark 6:50). From the beginning of human time, God has promised us he will not forsake us, or leave us alone. And so today: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Mary, perfected in grace, has been chosen by God for something we’d agree that anyone of common sense would find frightening. But in her knowledge of God’s favor upon her (another way of saying God would always be with her), she steps boldly and fully into the unknown. She has been told that the Holy Spirit will come upon [her]; and that the power of the Most High will overshadow [her]. She will not be alone. She will have the help and grace of God, for whom nothing will be impossible.
And so her fiat – May it be done to me according to your word – makes perfect sense. How could she not say yes, when her faith and trust in a God who had nurtured his covenant and fulfilled his every promise, was affirmed by his envelopment of her in his love and protection? How could we not say yes, when the same God who found favor with Mary, finds favor with us and never forsakes us? He can strengthen us, Paul writes to the Romans. Where we cannot, God can. We do nothing alone, and all things through the grace of God.
The angels and prophets, and Jesus himself, are right to tell us “fear not.” For God is with us. Emmanuel. And so we can laugh at the observation regarding Scripture, and we can laugh in the face of our fear. And in these remain-ing days of Advent, we give thanks for our Triune God who desires to be in relationship with us, who dwelt among us and whose Holy Spirit empowers us in our faith. We do not have to be afraid.
Fear not, the Lord is with you always. Wishing you and your loved ones and blessed and loved Christmas. I will miss seeing you in these pews this Christmas, but know that you are in my heart. God bless you, each and every one. Father Tony LaTorre
Liturgy and Life • When are you troubled, can you seek to still sing of the goodness of the Lord? • How do you respond when what God does seems to make little sense? • In what ways does Mary show a strength that we can look to?
Campaign Goal: $ 99,663 Payments received: $ 68,509 AAA Balance: $ 31,154
Thank you to all who continue to support our parish in meeting its financial obligations! Fr. Tony
Due to current restrictions on indoor Masses in compliance to State, City and Health Ordinance, our annual tradition of the 9-day Novena of Simbang Gabi on December 16-24 at St. Stephen will be celebrated differently, as follows: 1) Instead of a 6am Mass, Simbang Gabi shall be celebrated during the 8am
Mass livestreamed daily featuring Simbang Gabi slides of past celebrations; 2) Daily Mass livestreamed daily is also recorded for your convenience; 3) A Simbang Gabi Photo Album can be viewed at the Facebook Page of Saint
Stephen Catholic Church where parishioners can reminisce on the annual Simbang Gabi tradition.
For any questions, please call the Parish Office at 415-681-2444 or visit our web-site www.SaintStephenSF.org to view our daily & Sunday Masses
Update on SIMBANG GABI @ Saint Stephen Church AAA Update (as of 12.8.2020)
Ways and Means to Help and Support Our Church
As we go our daily life within the state and city-wide mandate of “Stay-at-Home” for the next few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please remember that we continue to look forward to your regular weekly dona-tions to sustain our church’s basic operation needs. You may continue to do so through the following: 1) via your weekly envelope which can either be:
a. Mailed to the Parish Office; b. Dropped off at our parish office/mailbox slot.
2) If at this time, you are strictly confined in your home, please consider setting up an online account through the parish website: www.saintstephensf.org by: a. Click the $ Giving button b. Click on Donation link c. Follow instructions to set up your account online
3) If neither of the above works for you, please give us a call at the office, and we will gladly pick up your dona-tion envelope for the parish or help you set up your online donation. For more information, please give us a call at 415-681-2444. between 9am to 3pm Mondays thru Fridays or check our website www.saintstephensf.org
St Stephen Church provides Online Giving -- a convenient and safe way to make a one-time or recurring donation. Getting started is easy. Visit www.s aintstephensf.org, click on Do-nation link. . When you participate, your gift will be securely transferred directly into the parish.
DAILY MASS ON LIVESTREAM !!!
at 8:00 a.m. on Facebook , YouTube & Instagram!
Or go to ww.SaintStephenSF.org to attend our daily Mass!
Fr. Tony‘s Sunday Celebration of the Eucharist
Every Sunday, at 9:30 am, we continue to go live from our St. Stephen Parish website, www.saintstephensf.org. Click on the Facebook link on the top of the page and it will directly con-nect you to our livestream mass. Here you can par-ticipate in the live community chat stream during the mass. If you do not have a Facebook account, no need to worry! Go to our website, www.saintstephensf.org, scroll down and you will also be able to join the livestream mass right on our website. You can also watch our livestream mass every Sunday at 9:30am via YouTube and Instagram!
For Reflection: If Jesus were coming today, would he look at
our actions and say, “Well done”? What have we done for the least of our broth-
ers and sisters, and thus for him?
Monday, Dec 21 Winter Begins
8:00 a.m. † Thomas Mullaney (By: Mary Molly Mullaney)
Tuesday, Dec 22
8:00 a.m. † Larry L. Tucker (By: Margartia S. Tucker) Wednesday, Dec 23 St. John of Kanty
8:00 a.m. † Nerio Plondaya Jr (By: Ding, Baby & Kids) Thursday, Dec 24 The Vigil of Christmas
4:00 p.m. Christmas Family Mass St. Stephen Parishioners, SI
(By: Fr. Tony) Friday, Dec 25 The Nativity of the Lord
9:30 a.m. † John C. Farrell (By: Malvina Farrell) Saturday, Dec 26 8:00 a.m. † Ben Casey (By: O’Callaghan Family)
Sunday, Dec 27 St. Stephen First Day of Kwanzaa
9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Mass , SI (By: Cagalingan Family)
lease pray for the sick and homebound of our com-munity and for all those written in our book of the
sick. May they know the healing touch of Jesus.
Gabriel Agudo, Isabela Vicente, Marino Tulao, Rommel Plondaya, Robert Liam,
Zaida Ysip, Leanna Mossi, Elena Amaya, Eden Finn, Edileide Jose Barbosa, Kenneth Fambrini,
Larry Barbiere, Carol Dominguez, Marc Gutierres, Kevin King, Marla Moso, Joel Rivera, Anna Thompson,
Gwendolyn Walsh, Jovita & Richard Thompson.
Please call the office to add or remove names
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — I will fix a place for my people. (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm — For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading — To the only wise God, through Je-sus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel — Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38).
Inspiration for the Season Saint Joseph
If anyone had to rely on a feeling that things will turn out for the best, it was Saint Joseph. He took in Mary, risking his reputation and accepting a responsibil-ity that he at first didn’t understand. But he had hope and faith, and he forged on to serve as the father and protec-tion of the Savior.
Saint Joseph’s trust was called upon again when Jesus was a baby. An angel appeared to Saint Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod, who was seeking to kill the newborn king (Mt 2:13-18). Joseph didn’t call up his friends in Jerusalem to confirm or Google places to stay in Egypt. He fled with faith, believing that what he desired – safe-ty for his family – would be fulfilled. Like Saint Joseph, we can proceed with the quiet confidence that Saint Jo-seph exhibited so well in such a tremendous role.
Prayer Against Coronavirus
Lord Jesus, our Divine Physician, we ask you to guard and pro-tect us from Coronavirus COVID-19 and all serious illness.
For all that have died from it, have mercy, for those that are ill now, bring healing.
For those searching for a remedy, enlighten them; for medical caregivers helping the sick,
strengthen and shield them.
For those working to contain the spread, grant them success; for those afraid, grant peace.
May your precious blood be our defense and salvation.
By your grace, may you turn the evil of disease into moments of consolation and hope.
May we always fear the contagion of sin more than any illness.
We abandon ourselves to your infinite mercy. Amen.
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2020 The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. —Luke 1:35
• We are collecting $10 Gift Cards to donate to The Healing WELL commu-nity center in the Tenderloin.
• $10 denomination gift cards from any of these stores: Target, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, or Lucky’s.
• Drop off in St. Stephen Parish office mailbox in envelope marked “Giving Tree”- 451 Eucalyptus Dr., SF, CA 94132
• Cookies are also needed by December 16, 2020.
GIVING TREE
Advent Stories to Ponder . . “My search is over.” I like the story about a professor who sat at his desk one even-ing working on the next day's lectures. His housekeeper had laid that day’s mail and papers on his desk, and he began to shuffle through them, discarding most to
the wastebasket. He then noticed a magazine, which was not even addressed to him but had been delivered to his office by mistake. It fell open to an article titled "The Needs of the Congo Mission.” Casually he began to read when he was suddenly consumed by these words: "The need is great here. We have no one to work the northern province of Gabon in the central Congo. And it is my prayer as I write this article that God will lay His hand on one - one on whom, already, the Master's eyes have been cast - that he or she shall be called to this place to help us." Professor Albert Schweitzer closed the maga-zine and wrote in his diary: "My search is over." He gave himself to the Congo. That little article, hidden in a peri-odical intended for someone else, was placed by accident in Schweitzer's mailbox. By chance he noticed the title. It leaped out at him. Chance? Nope. It was one of God's surprises. This morning we focus on one of the greatest surprises that ever there was, the surprise that took place when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to a young teenag-er, Mary. Gabriel piled one surprise upon another. Mary and Joseph's Christmas tree had more astonishing sur-prises than any couple on earth had ever experienced.
“What will we do with this baby Jesus?” Wade Burton tells about a man who was riding a bus from Chicago to Miami. He had a stop-over in Atlanta. While he was sitting at a lunch counter, a woman came out of the ladies' restroom carrying a tiny baby. She asked the man, "Will you hold my baby for
me, I left my purse in the restroom." He did. But as the woman neared the front door of the bus station, she dart-ed out into the crowded street and was immediately lost in the crowd. The man couldn't believe his eyes. He rushed to the door to call the woman, but could not see her. What should he do? Put the baby down and run? When calmness settled in he went to the Traveler's Aid booth, and they soon found the real mother. The woman who had left him holding the baby was not the baby's mother. She had taken the child, perhaps to satisfy a motherly urge to hold a child. The man breathed a sigh of relief when the real mother was found. After all, what was he to do with a baby? In a way each of us is in the same situation as this gentleman. We are left with the question, "What will we do with the Baby?" Have we really come to terms with the fact that this Baby is not simply extraordinarily gifted, but that he is himself a gift from the heart of God?
“Didn’t you get my E-mail?” As a little girl climbed up into Santa's lap, Santa asked the usual, "And what would you like for Christmas?" The little girl just stared at Santa with her mouth open
and horrified look on her face for a minute, and then she gasped: "Didn't you get my E-mail?" That had to have been the same sort of horrified look that Mary must have had on her face when the Angel of the Lord appeared to her and spoke to her about God's purpose for her life.
“You shall name him Jesus.” Some names are un-fortunate. I heard about a man who joined the Navy. His name was Tonsillitis Jackson. The Navy couldn't believe it, so they did a check on him, and discovered that indeed his name really was Tonsillitis Jackson. What's more, he had brothers and sisters who were named: Meningitis, Appendicitis, Peritonitis, and Laryngitis. A sense of identity, a sense of destiny, comes with the conferring of a name. And that is the kind of name that was given to Jesus as we read in today’s Gospel. It conferred upon him a destiny, a vocation that he was to fulfill for us.
“Do not be afraid!” It's an obvious understatement to say we live in a day of great fear. The language of "terror" has become the motivating mantra of our day. I did a Google search for the word "fear," and I came up with a fascinating site called "The Phobia List"—pages of phobias, A to Z. Everything from Alliumphobia—the fear of garlic and Lachanophobia—the fear of vegetables to Zemmiphobia—the fear of the great mole rat. It even lists Ecclesiophobia—the fear of church and, get this, Homilophobia—the fear of sermons! You can even get a poster of the "Phobia List" which will cover your entire wall. We all have our own phobia lists, and the list can be as fresh as the morning papers: Daily bad news from the auto industry, uncertainty about the present and fu-ture course of Covid 19 and its economic repercussions, about the state of the economy or personal security. A questionable course in Iraq, Afghanistan … wherever, with no clear sense of how long all this will go on, when or how it will end. Fear of bird flu or bad weather or a bitter diagnosis from the family doctor. Add to that, fear-mongering TV preachers and politicians who use talk of terror for political gain until the fear of terror becomes its own terror. And add to that, panic-driven newscasters who can't even give the weather without fear-filled, bat-ed breath. It all leads to what Jane Spencer in the Wall Street Journal refers to as the "fear system" of our day. Into that maze of fear, we have the audacity to read the word of the angel to Mary: "Do not be afraid!"
It’s also hard being a virgin: Five-year-old Olivia, and her best friend, Claire, were par-ticipating in a nativity play at school. Claire
was playing Mary, and Olivia was an angel. Before the show, a young boy was going around the dressing room repeating, "I’m a sheep, what are you?" Each child re-sponded politely, including Olivia, who proudly declared she was an angel. The boy then turned to Claire, still struggling into her costume with her mother’s help, and repeated the question to her: "I’m a sheep, what are you?" Claire simply said, "I’m Mary." Realizing he was face to face with a lead character, he felt he needed to justify his own role. "It’s hard being a sheep, you know," he said with all the seriousness of a 5-year-old actor with a big part. Claire’s equally serious response was humor-ously profound. "Yes," said Claire innocently, "but it’s also hard being a virgin, you know."
"Were you really born of a virgin?" Television interviewer Larry King was asked if he could only interview one person in histo-ry, who would it be. Larry said, "Jesus Christ." "And if you could only ask Him one question, what would it be?" “Were you really born of a virgin?" The reporter asked, "Why would you ask that question?" King replied, "Because that would define history for me."
Again, a Catholic president in the U. S.? When my Baptist friend was a young teenager, President Kennedy ran for office. There was near hysteria in some places about the dangers of having a Catholic in office taking orders from the Vatican. Not long after the election, a little elderly lady was at the post office to buy stamps. The clerk said, "What denomination?" She adamantly said, "Baptist, but I didn't think it would come this.
Discerning vocation. The young man is discerning his possible vocation, so he asks a friend which order he should join. His friend answered, “How about maybe either the Dominicans or the Jesuits? Both orders are filled with good and holy men." “Yeah,” the discerner answered, “but, what exactly are they? What’s the differ-ence?” "Well,” said the friend, “the Jesuits were founded in response to the threat of Protestantism. The Domini-cans were formed to combat the Albigensian heresy." “Okay, but which one is better? “the discerner demand-ed. "Well, I really couldn't say” said the friend, “but how many Albigensians ya got living in your neighborhood?"
1) We need to say a courageous and generous “Yes” to God as Mary did. True obedience comes from a free choice made in the light of what is true and good. It of-ten requires a great deal of courage, because it can in-volve going against the tide of social expectations. True obedience also aims at putting oneself at the service of something/Someone that is greater than oneself by ac-cepting what God clearly wants us to do, or what He wants to do through us. Jesus' own moment of greatness, like his Mother’s, came when He said “Yes,” to his Fa-ther in Gethsemane, and Jesus' own obedience is our model. Will we surrender to God and allow God to do what, from our human point of view, seems impossi-ble? Will we surrender our agenda, our will and our kingdom to God and allow God’s agenda, will and King-dom become a reality for and through us? It is by say-ing, with Jesus and Mary, a wholehearted and totally unconditional “Yes,” to God that Jesus will be re-born in each of us – or maybe even born in us for the first time. By my saying “yes,” Jesus may well be born or reborn in others too.
2) We need to try to learn God’s plan for our lives: The Good News in today’s Scripture message is not only that God is making provision for the salvation of His people, but also that He has a plan for each individual person. Just as God called Mary, He calls every mother to raise her child in the awareness of God’s nurturing presence, His unconditional love, and His guiding com-mandments. In many cases, our work for God seems rather ordinary, but each ordinary task which we carry out fits into God's plan in ways that we cannot yet under-stand. God desire not the skill of our hands and talents alone, but the love of our hearts. The Babe in the Man-ger reminds us of what God has done and is still doing for us. What are we doing in return? Let us show our gratitude to God by living as true followers of Christ: “Behold, here I am Lord, your humble and grateful serv-ant. Let it be done to me according to Your word.” St. Francis said, "We are the mother of Christ when we car-ry him in our heart… and we give birth to him through our holy works which ought to shine on others by our example.”
Symbols of the Season Advent is rich with sacred symbols. The Scriptures are filled with images of light and darkness, cacophony and silence, waiting and fulfillment. The season’s col-or is deep purple, reflecting the penitential
and preparatory nature of the season. Watch for these symbols:
Candlelight – Christ is the light of the world Evergreen – In Jesus, we are given the gift of eternal life. Water – We recall our baptism and are born anew in Jesus. Chant – We await the birth of the babe in the manger. Angels – Witnesses to the Good News. Star – The cosmic sign that the King of Kings has been born.
Advent Humor --Areas We Could “Act On” . . .
PASTORAL STAFF
Rev. Tony P. LaTorre Pastor, ext.1
Mrs. Sharon McCarthy Allen School Principal
Carol P Cagalingan Parish Manager, ext. 3
Rev. Mr. Olet Abad Permanent Deacon
Mary Molly Mullaney Faith Formation Coordinator, ext. 4 [email protected]
Shay Ingelfinger Event Center Coordinator, ext.7
[email protected] Rev. Tony P. LaTorre
Liturgy Director (Temp). ext. 1 [email protected]
Teresa Devincenzi Bookkeeper, ext.5
Steven Angelucci Music/Choir Director, ext 8
Ed Prete Bulletin Editor, ext. 6
Daniel Ho A. Haryasyah Sexton
(Environment, Sound & Lighting)
ST STEPHEN PARISH 2020-2021
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 Mary Molly Mullaney
• Faith Formation Mary Molly Mullaney
• Fifty Plus Club Helga D’Arcy
• Finance Council Laura Birsinger
• Grief Support Clergy
• Lectors Mary Molly Mullaney
• Liturgy Committee Fr. Tony
• Marriage Preparation Clergy
• Men’s Club Ryan Gille
• Parish Council Vicky Francisco
• RCIA Mary Molly Mullaney
• St. Stephen Book Club Mary Molly Mullaney
• St. Vincent de Paul Julie O’Callaghan
• Ushers Bob Anthony
• Women’s Guild Courtney Cassinelli
Millo Mau Pasquini
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 415-681-2444 or at www.saintstephensf.org
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