Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

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1 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 8, 2013 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 St. Veronica Church Established Alida Way, South San Francisco, CA Fax: Phone:

2 Parish Office Hours Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed for lunch from 12:30-1:30 p.m. (unless otherwise posted) Phone: Fax: Parish Staff Fr. Charles Puthota, Ph.D., Pastor Fr. Rafael de Avila, Parochial Vicar Deacon Roger Beaudry Deacon Joseph LeBlanc Lennie Perreras, Administrative Assistant & Bookkeeper Ext. 304 Patricia Spiteri, Parish Secretary Karen Guglielmoni, Faith Formation & Wedding Coordinator Ext.305 Christopher Lindstrom, Music Director Ext. 308 St. Veronica Catholic School Phone: Kathryn Lucchesi Principal Geninne Ruegg Vice Principal SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Sacrament of Baptism Baptismal Preparation classes are held once a month. Call the Parish Office Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Call the Parish Office to register Ext.309 Faith Formation: Ext. 305 Catechetical instructions (1st to 8th grades) Confirmation Classes: ext. 305 St. Veronica Parish Mass Intentions WEEK of September 8, 2013 Sun 09/08 6:45 Elsie Trollman 8:00 Anthony de Sousa 9:30 Danny Campbell Sr. 11:00 Soledad Inovero 12:30 People of St. Veronica Mon 09/09 6:30 Anthony de Sousa 8:30 Pacita Freed Tue 09/10 6:30 Anthony de Sousa 8:30 Generisa Magayanes Wed 09/11 6:30 Celerino Cornelio Jr. 8:30 Steven Dub Thu 09/12 6:30 Roxas Family 8:30 Mickey Hart Fri 09/13 6:30 Francisco Espana 8:30 Maria Carrisa F. Santos Sat 09/14 8:30 Florencio Borbon 5:00 Gordon O Keefe Sun 09/15 6:45 Rosina Michna 8:00 Josephine Borg 9:30 Michael Sundar 11:00 Mike & Kevin Folan 12:30 People of St. Veronica 6:30 Sp. Eduardo Arreola Reflecting on God s Word Sirach s call to act with humility in our affairs connects nicely with Jesus words to take the last place rather than the place of honor in the dining room. Humility scores more points with others that presumption or pride, even with God. But Jesus is offering more than good advice. Keep in mind that Jesus was at dinner with Pharisees and lawyers, and that he has just finished healing a man with dropsy who was right in front of him, and it was the Sabbath. Jesus could never seem to stop working on the Sabbath, even in front of people observing him carefully. Jesus then tells them a parable, that is, a story with a punch, one that upends the expectations of the listeners. Jesus is proclaiming how things are to be in the kingdom of God and for those who work to bring about God s kingdom come about even now. In the Kingdom, the last will be first; in the Kingdom, the lease will be honored and feted; in the Kingdom, generosity will replace entitlement. God s plan is not to duplicate Mt. Sinai with it s gloomy darkness and fearful words, but God s dinner parties will take place on Mt. Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, with angels in festal gathering, and the chosen all shining and joyful. Those in attendance will know they are there because of the blood of the Lamb that won them mercy before the throne of God. We prepare of this by showing generosity now. --Living the Word, Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays and Holy Days, Year C Parish Office churchoffice@stveronicassf.com

3 Mass Schedule Saturdays: 8:30AM & 5:00PM Sundays: 6:45, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00AM, and 12:30PM Holy Days: 6:30, 8:30AM, & 6:30PM Monday - Friday: 6:30 & 8:30AM Spanish Mass First & Third Sunday of each month at 6:30 PM unless otherwise announced Confessions Saturdays: 4:00 5:00PM Liturgy of the Hours Monday - Friday: Morning Prayer at 6:00AM Eucharistic Adoration Monday - Friday: 9:00AM - 9:00PM Parish Registration Please complete and return form to the parish office, or simply drop it in the collection basket. Kindly print all information Name(s) Name(s) Address City & Zip Phone Updating Current Parish Registration Moving / Please remove from mailing list. This is a new registration Please call me. On the Horizon Sunday, Sept. 9:30 a.m.: Fall sports mass Sunday, Sept. 9:30 a.m.: Annual Catechetical Sunday mass and commissioning of catechists and teachers Sept : Annual Parish Festival Welcome Newly Registered Parishioners! Our parish continues to be blessed and enriched by the presence of new parishioners: Mijares Family May St. Veronica Church offer you a place where you can bring your sorrow and joys, your pain and triumphs and peace for your soul. We welcome you with open arms and hearts! Saint Vincent de Paul Pantry Our parish pantry is running low on all items and more volunteers to deliver items are needed. Donations may be dropped off at the Pastoral Center from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (closed from 12:30-1:30pm for lunch). Please do not leave items at the Church, Rectory or Parish Center. Those interested in becoming volunteers are asked to call the parish office. Envelopes received in the First Collection: Aug. 17 & 18: 269 Aug. 24 & Aug. 31 & Sept Thank you for supporting St. Veronica Parish and its works. Day Mass Time 1st Collection Maintenance / Repairs Totals Saturday 8/31/2013 5:00 PM 1, ,811 Sunday 9/1/2013 6:45 PM ,082 8:00 PM 1, ,177 9:30 PM 1, ,098 11:00 PM ,025 12:30 PM 1, ,469 6:00 PM Sp Totals $ 7,615 $ 1,534 $ 9,149

4 From the Pastor s Desk Dear Parishioners: Some months ago a woman in our parish talked to me about her grandson who was seriously considering joining a religious order. The young man, a student I knew at another parish, completed his undergraduate studies this past summer. He is the only son of his parents. Sharing her feelings, the grandmother asked me to pray for her family. She was echoing the sentiments of her daughter who was both happy and sad about her son s decision. The mother has also since talked with me about her son since he joined a novitiate a couple of weeks ago in Southern California. The family, rooted in the practice of the Catholic faith, is thrilled about the young man s decision. On the other hand, they are aware of the implications: they will not be able to have him for themselves. They need to set him free and let him go where he is sent. They have to get used to a different set of expectations and relationships in the future. It s at once a blessing to cherish and a cross to carry. They have to respect---and support---the decision of the young man who is viewing his family ties in the context of his relationship with Christ. Everything is rearranged---and reassessed--- in relation to Jesus Christ. This spiritual process applies not only to those entering seminaries and convents, but to all Christians. Each of us are challenged to take a fresh look at all that we are and have, our family and intimate relationships and possessions, our attachments and preoccupations---and rearrange them in view of the supreme calling to be with Christ and follow him. Everything else becomes relative in the face of the ultimate and absolute relationship with Jesus who calls us to be his disciples. Jesus speaks of relativizing intimate relationships if anyone wishes to be his disciple. The word hate is used not to make us detest family, but to emphasize through the Eastern literary strategy of exaggeration that family bonds have to yield to the surpassing relationship with Jesus. All our relationships need to be conducted so that they do not hinder, but promote our closeness with Jesus; they are to be not given up so much as to become channels of discipleship. This would also apply to our possessions. Through the two parables of the building project and war effort, Jesus speaks challengingly of the realistic implications of discipleship. It will cost not less than everything! While relativizing familial ties, rearranging social relationships in terms of justice is critical in discipleship. This is a theme highlighted in the reading from Philemon. Onesimus, a runaway slave now baptized by Paul, is being returned to the owner Philemon, a Christian. Recent interpretation, however, holds that Philemon had sent Onesimus to serve Paul. Paul seeks to change Philemon s heart so that the slave can go free. Everything is changed now because of their common relationship with Jesus. How can we Christians be not concerned about one another, especially about those who are crushed by alienation and poverty? All barriers break down in Jesus Christ. The love of God and our shared discipleship impel us to bring a vigorous vision of fairness and justice to human relationships. Discerning that human relationships need to be lived within the context of our relationship with Jesus is suggested by the first reading from Wisdom. We need the Holy Spirit s gifts of wisdom and discernment to view all our desires and dreams, our strengths and struggles, our love and longings as an integral part of our following of Jesus. That is the only way for peace and fulfillment---for us and for the whole world. Your Friend and Pastor, Father Charles Puthota (This scripture reflection was published in Catholic San Francisco on September 06, 2013 for the readings of this weekend.)

5 St Vincent de Paul Society BUNDLE SUNDAY IS COMING! Donate usable items to help those in need Donation bags will be distributed after all masses this weekend, Sept. 7 & 8. St. Veronica Conference members will be collecting your donation before and after all masses on Sept. 14 & 15. SO WHAT S NEXT? Cost projections for Phase II will be passed along to our parishioners when they are obtained. Stay tuned for more events in the Fall! Submit your donations and brick orders - the Legacy Courtyard is scheduled to be part of Phase II. Let s keep the momentum rolling! Congratulations to the new bride and groom! Janeiro Peter Gomez & Anna Theresa de Castro were wed at Saint Veronica Church August 31, 2013 Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:18 St. Veronica Youth Group If you had your car washed or donated to the St. Veronica Youth Group last week, thank you! The fundraiser was a huge success! Proceeds benefit the youth group s trip to the On Fire Tour. Join us for the Capital Campaign Casino Bus Trip to Big Thunder & Feather Falls Casinos Saturday, October 19, 2013 Reservations may be made to: Josefina Pablo (650)

6 We love God more! The Archdiocese is blessed to have hundreds of priests who dedicated, in some cases, as many as 50 years or more of their lives to ministering to us. Even in retirement, many continue to give of themselves in countless ways of service for which we are grateful. Next weekend, September 14 and 15, our parish will participate in the special collection for the Priests Retirement Fund. Please return your collection envelope during next weekend s Masses. Angel Choir The Angel Choir is open to all children of St. Veronica Parish (grades 1 and up) Please contact the Pastoral Center for details on how to join. (650) Iglesia de Santa Veronica Grupo de Oracion Salvacion y Alabanza GRAN RETIRO DE EVANGELIZACION 19 y 20 De Octubre del aňo 2013 Renovation Carismatica Catolica de la Arquidiocesis de San Francisco Lugar: Iglesia de Santa Veronica De Las 8:00am a las 6:00pm Direccion: 434 Alida Way, South San Francisco Cristo te espera con los brazos abiertos. Conferencistas: Rev. Charles Puthota, Ph.D., Rev. Rafael de Avila, Rev. Jose Corral, Rev. Moises Agudo, Su Excelencia Monseňor Jose Elias Raud, Rev. Reynaldo Sorto, Hno. Pepe Gomez, HNA. Conchita Blankco, HNA. Jošefa Sanchez, HNO. Jose Alvarez. Maestro de Ceremonia: Ramiro Castillo Y Delmy Ministerio de Musica Salvacion Y Albanza Informacion: Fam. Blanco (650) (650) Don. $5.00 por dia. Charlotte Michele Price Sophia Richele Price It is with great joy that we welcome into our church and community the following children who received the Sacrament of Baptism at our Church on August 31, 2013 FAITH FORMATION CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 4 & 7! Registration is still being accepted for Faith Formation classes. Forms are available on the parish web site under the Faith Formation link or by calling Faith Formation Coordinator Karen Guglielmoni at ext Faith Formation classes are offered to children beginning in First grade and concluding with Confirmation (9th grade or older). Please note that there are two years of sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. RCIA RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is offered for adults 18 years and older who wish to become Catholic, or baptized Catholics who wish to complete their sacraments of initiation (Communion and/or Confirmation). Please call the office to sign up and receive more information. Classes begin in early October.

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