St. Stephen Parish SaintStephenSF.org 451 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco CA Church StStephenSchoolSF.org 401 Eucalyptus Dr.

Transcription

1 St. Stephen Parish SaintStephenSF.org 451 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco CA Church StStephenSchoolSF.org 401 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco School 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. & 6:45 p.m.

2 January The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 The image of a wedding is frequently used throughout the Old Testament to describe God s relationship with his chosen Israel. Though often unfaithful, God always took her back, forgave her and turned her sadness into joy. As she awaited the coming of the Messiah, Israel s hopes were expressed in terms of a wedding a time of great rejoicing and celebration. Like abundant wine, God s blessings would be poured out on his people in full measure. As we hear the account of the miracle at Cana, it is hard not to notice the shadow of the cross. Like all of Jesus signs and miracles, this points to the greatest of all his signs: when he will be lifted up in obedience to the Father, for the salvation of humanity. This will be how the new covenant- marriage between God and his people will be brought about. Here Jesus speaks about his hour a reference to that time when his truest identity and glory will be revealed. Significantly also, Jesus mother is present at the wedding. In addressing her as woman, a title he will also use from the cross, Jesus is referring back to another woman, through whom sin first entered the world. Here now, through this woman Mary, his mother the healing of that sin will begin in her Son. For Christians, the cross is the ultimate blessing, as it is the source of eternal life. So the gallons of wine is indicative of the inexhaustible riches of God poured out on the faithful believer. Just as a wedding is a sign of who we are and what we hope for, so the miracle of Cana is a sign of what God offers us if we put our faith and trust in him. Through the death and resurrection of his Son, God offers us more than we could ever hope. In addition to the gifts of the Spirit as listed by Paul in Corinthians, God offers us the fullness of life and love. It is through faith that the water of our daily lives with all its challenges and achievements can be transformed into something far superior, full bodied and with a deep quality and bouquet. Through faith our lives gain a new depth and meaning if we simply do as Mary says: Do whatever [Jesus] tells you. Thank you for celebrating with us this day, and may you be blessed through the coming week. Father Tony LITURGY AND LIFE In what ways do you proclaim God s marvelous deeds as sung in the Responsorial Psalm? How does our parish help each member contribute their gifts to the community? Where do you see God s glory and are led to believe in him? HEALING MASS IN CELEBRATION OF WORLD DAY OF SICK Mass will be at Saint Mary s Cathedral Saturday, February 3, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Principal Celebrant. 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 education and formation of our people, young and old, and through caring service and sensitive outreach to those in need Rev. Tony P. LaTorre, Pastor

3 ADDITONAL REFLECTION Let us, invite Jesus and Mary to remain with us in our homes. St. John Mary Vianney suggests this as the solution for many of our family problems. He used to encourage parents to create an atmosphere of prayer, Bible-reading, mutual love and respect and sacrificial service at home so that the presence of Jesus and Mary might be perpetually enhanced and experienced in the family. Let us obey the command of Mary, "Do whatever He tells you." This is the only command given by Mary recorded in the New Testament, and it is a prerequisite for miracles in our families. The Bible tells us how to do the will of God and effect salvific changes in our daily lives. We need to learn to appreciate the miracles of God's providence in our lives. God, often as an uninvited guest in our families, works daily miracles in our lives by protecting us from physical and moral dangers, providing for our needs, inspiring us and strengthening us with His Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus filled the empty water jars with wine, let us fill the empty hearts around us with love. By the miracle of Cana, Jesus challenges us to enrich the empty lives of those around us with the new wine of love, mercy, concern and care. Let us appreciate the miracle of the Real Presence of the Lord on the altar. The same Jesus, who transformed water into wine at Cana, transforms our gifts of bread and wine into his own Body and Blood in order to give us spiritual nourishment. If our families have lost the savor of mutual love, let us renew them at the altar with the invigorating power of the Holy Spirit. HUMOR FOR THE WEEK Wedding: Little Tommy was so impressed by his oldest sister s wedding that he announced. I want to have a wedding just like Linda had. That sounds great, said his father. But whom will you marry? Tommy announced: I want to marry grandma because she loves me and I love her. You can t marry grandma, his father said. Why not? Tommy protested. Because she is my mother. Well, reasoned Tommy. Then why did you marry my mother? Whisky: A Congressman was once asked about his attitude toward whiskey. "If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it. But, if you mean the elixir of Christmas cheer, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I'm for it. This is my position, and I will not compromise." The same service? A man who had been a husband for ten years was consulting a marriage counselor. When I was first married I was very happy. When I came home from a hard day at the shop, my little dog would race around barking and my wife would bring me my slippers with a heart-warming smile. Now after all these years everything is changed. Now when I come home, my dog brings me my slippers and my wife barks at me. I don t know what you are complaining about, said the counselor. You are still getting the same service. Countdown! One woman asked the other, "You were always so organized in school, meticulously planning every detail. How did you plan your married life?" "Well," said her friend, "My first marriage was to a millionaire; my second marriage was to an actor; my third marriage was to a preacher; and now I'm married to an undertaker." Asked the friend, "What do those marriages have to do with a well-planned life?" "The first marriage was for the money, the second for the show, the third to get ready and the fourth to go!" This Week s Altar Server Schedule Mon. 1/21: Alex Flores, Santino Franco Tues. 1/22: Patrick Linehan, Aidan Dugan Wed. 1/23: Charlotte Davey, John Brooks Thurs. 1/24: Patrick Schmitt, Catherine Alcantara Fri. 1/25: Karl Uthman, Sammy Naser Saturday, Jan. 26 8:00 a.m., Joshua Usi, Diego Ramirez 4:30 p.m. Alexandra Harlan, Ronin Datangel, Beckett Andersen Our special thanks to our student Altar Servers who faithfully volunteer their time and talent to our parish.

4 Monday, Jan. 21 8:00 a.m. St. Stephen Parishioners Sp. Int. (By: Fr. Tony) Tuesday, Jan. 22 8:00 a.m. Rita Tablante (By: Villamayor Family) Wednesday, Jan. 23 8:00 a.m. Shirley Campau (By: Lillian Williams ) Thursday, Jan. 24 8:00 a.m. Felipe Ochoa (By: Athene Ochoa) Friday, Jan. 25 8:00 a.m. Dr. Tom Leach (By: Adele Caunan) Saturday, Jan. 26 8:00 a.m. Dr. Tom Leach (By: Rosary Prayer Group) 4:30 p.m. Maureen Conley (By: Dalton Family) Sunday, Jan. 27 8:00 a.m Pearl LaBelle (By: Eileen Rodman) 9:30 a.m. Jessie Sera Joseph (By: Sinia Gong) 11:30 a.m. Aurelio Sera Joseph (By: Sinia Gong) 6:45 p.m. Vivano Furtado (By: Oscar Dias) TODAY S READINGS First Reading As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so God rejoices in the chosen ones (Isaiah 62:1-5). Psalm Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations (Psalm 96). Second Reading All the varied gifts in the Christian community are from one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Gospel Rejoicing at a wedding celebration in Cana, Jesus replenishes the wine supply (John 2:1-11). HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for our 9:30 a.m. Mass Today, Jan.20 - Women s Guild Sunday, Jan Women s Guild Sunday, Feb. 3 - RCIA Faith Formation Donuts will not be served until completion of mass. Monday, Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Holiday Tuesday, Jan :00 p.m. Hot Lunch/Hall 3:30 p.m. School Play Practice/Hall 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice/Church Wednesday, Jan :00 p.m. Hot Lunch/Hall 3:30 p.m. School Play Practice/Hall Thursday, Jan :00 p.m. Hot Lunch/Hall 3:30 p.m. School Play Practice/Hall Friday, Jan. 25 8:00 a.m. Catholic School Week Set-up/Hall 7:00 p.m. GA Meeting/EC Saturday, Jan. 26 8:00 a.m. Catholic School Week Set-up/Hall Sunday, Jan. 27 8:00 a.m. Catholic School Week Welcome Coffee/Hall 7:00 p.m. Adult Volleyball/Gym Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 20, 2019 Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory. 1saiah SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. Agnes; Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tuesday: Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children; World Youth Day Wednesday: St. Vincent; St. Marianne Cope Thursday: St. Francis de Sales Friday: The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle; Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ends; Saturday: Ss. Timothy and Titus lease pray for the sick and P homebound of our community and for all those written in our book of the sick. May they know the healing touch of Jesus. Elena Amaya, Edileide Jose Barbosa, Larry Barbiere, Carol Dominguez, Kenneth Fambrini, Marc Gutierres, Eden Finn, Juan Pablo Grover-Paez, Nenita Sangalang, Betty Rodriguez, Joel Rivera, Anna Macalino Thompson, Jovita & Richard Thompson, Joseph Tren, Gwendolyn Walsh and Jodie Yuzon. Please call the office to add or remove names. of people that we should pray for this month or should remain on this list longer.

5 WALK FOR LIFE 15 TH Annual The 15 th Annual Walk for Life takes place on Saturday, January 26, Rally begins at Civic Center Plaza at 12:30. The day begins at 9:30 am: Mass with Archbishop Cordileone at St. Mary s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco 10:45 am 12:15 pm: Silent No More Awareness Campaign (Civic Center Plaza) 11:00 am 12:30 pm: Info Faire (Civic Center Plaza) 12:30 1:30 pm: Rally at Civic Center Plaza 1:30 pm: Walk from Civic Center Plaza to Justin Herman Plaza walkforlifewc.com. The 15th annual Walk for Life West Coast, which draws 50,000 participants each year, takes place on January 26. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone begins the day with Mass at St. Mary s Cathedral at 9:30 am. Events at Civic Center Plaza follow; and the walk to Justin Herman Plaza begins at 1:30 pm. This year s speakers include Abby Johnson, Patricia Sandoval, Fr. Shenan Boquet, and Walter Hoye. The Walk for Life Committee says: The Mission is to change the perceptions of a society that thinks abortion is an answer, because abortion does violence to women and to their children. The goal is to be a vocal and visual message, to reach out to women harmed by abortion, and to inform society of the damage done to women by abortion. Visit the Walk for Life West Coast website, Complete information on Walk for Life related events can be found at the website, above. Stewardship: A Way of Life Sunday Collection: 01/13/19 $ 5, nd Collection: Bldg. Loan $ 2, We thank our parishioners who return their gifts with a loving and generous increase to God Our 20,000 Square Foot Parish Center is Available to Rent for Special Occasions Call Shay Ingelfinger at ext. 33 for information regarding the hourly rate available for our parishioners. Web site: TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The cause of church unity is commended to Christians for prayer and action every year around this time. This week is not so much to focus on the many divisions within the Christian family, but on bonds of faith and mission. Even though Christians have always shown an inclination to fracture, spin off, and mutate into new expressions, recent history shows some new points of convergence and agreement. Catholics are more firmly rooted in the word of God, for example, and many Protestants are more likely to celebrate Communion than in years past. Some denominations are merging and pooling resources, and people from various traditions are collaborating on projects. The call of this week is to be mindful of the diversity of our traditions and customs while treasuring what we hold in common. The old advice to lighten up is good medicine, because sometimes our differences are delightful and amusing. If someone says, Let us pray, a Catholic might close the eyes, bow the head and fold hands; a Protestant reach out and clasp hands with the person in the next chair; and someone belonging to an Orthodox tradition might stand up with eyes wide open. Each has taken a different path, but the goal is always the same. This is a week not for focusing on the wellworn paths of divergence, but for mutual delight in a common goal. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch St. Stephen s Book Club St. Stephen s Book Club meets the 2 nd Saturday of each month. Anyone interested is welcome to join us. Contact Mary Molly in the parish office for more info. Here are the upcoming books: January "The Man I Never Met: A Memoir" by Adam Schefter. A powerful true story of loss and hope by one of the biggest names in sports media. February Dare to Be Kind: How Extraordinary Compassion Can Transform Our World by Lizzie Velasquez. GARDENING Kind hearts are the garden, Kind thoughts are the root, Kind words are the blossoms, Kind deeds are the fruit. Anonymous

6 Deacon s Corner Catholic Charities Volunteer Opportunity Catholic Charities is partnering with the Archdiocese to find good Catholic families who would like to mentor migrant unaccompanied minors. A lot of these kids need very basic needs like being driven to court hearings, getting help applying for a library card, getting enrolled in school, and other things many kids take for granted. Time commitment is flexible and there is a half day training course to make sure mentors are prepared. With Lent coming around the corner, I think this might be a great program for parishioners to discern being part of. To learn more about the program, please visit If you d like to help with this program in any way, please contact : Martin Ford Social Action Coordinator Office of Human Life & Dignity Archdiocese of San Francisco martin@sfarch.org Marriage Encounter Weekend MARRIED COUPLES: Winter brings crisp fresh air. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is like winter because it s a weekend full of fresh air and a time to rejoice in the beauty of our marriage and family. The next Marriage Encounter Weekends are Feb 15-17, 2019 in San Jose, CA and May 17-19, 2019 in San Jose, CA. For more information and/or to register for a Weekend, visit our website at: sanjosewwme.org or contact Ken & Claranne at or applications@sanjosewwme.org. The Look of Love What does love look like? It has feet to go to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others. --St. Augustine Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Center for Education & Spirituality present: Clergy Sex Abuse: A Crisis in the Catholic Church Saturday, January 26, :00 a.m.-12 noon Freewill Offering Register by 1/23/2019 at or call (510) Dominican Center Mission Circle (entrance off Mission Tierra) Fremont, CA Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Center for Education & Spirituality present: Boundless Compassion Creating a Way of Life A Seven Week personal transformation process for developing and deepening compassion Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 5, March 12, :00 a.m.-12 noon $10 per session Group size is limited. Register early. Event will repeat in the Fall. Dominican Sisters Motherhouse Register at or call (510) PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS (Please include this prayer in your daily journeys) God our Father, in Your love and providence, You call each of us to a holy life. We pray for young people in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Open their hearts and minds to know the vocation You have planned for them for all eternity. If they are being invited to follow You as a Priest, Brother, or Sister, give them a generous heart to respond to Your challenging call and the strength to follow wherever You lead them. May families desire to please You by encouraging and supporting vocations within their homes. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Amen.

7 PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Tony P. LaTorre Pastor, ext.1 Mrs. Sharon McCarthy Allen School Principal Carol P Cagalingan Parish Manager, ext. 3 carol@saintstephensf.org Rev. Mr. Olet Abad Permanent Deacon Mary Molly Mullaney Faith Formation Coordinator, ext. 4 faithformation@saintstephensf.org Shay Ingelfinger Event Center Coordinator, ext.7 donworthevents@saintstephensf.org Rhonda Smith Coordinator of Music & Liturgy, ext. 8 music@saintstephensf.org Teresa Devincenzi Bookkeeper, ext.5 teresa@saintstephensf.org Ed Prete Bulletin Editor, ext. 6 e.prete@saintstephensf.org ST STEPHEN PARISH 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 Andrew Hazard Music Rhonda Smith 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 Lydia Flocchini Shauna O Donoghue 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 or online at Name Address City/Zip Phone \\ 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 Homebound Lector/Holy Communion Ministers Music/Choir Please send me Sunday Envelopes (encircle): Yes No (Default is to send weekly Sunday envelopes to New Parishioners)

8 AD PAGE