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St. Stephen Parish
SaintStephenSF.org | 451 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco CA 94132 | Church 681-2444 StStephenSchoolSf.org I 401 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco 94132 I School 664-8331
March 12, 2017
Second Sunday of Lent Gen 12:1-4; 2Tim 1:8-10; Matt 17:1-9
We are awash in calls for change – to transform our political parties, trans-form our relationship with other nations, change our eating habits, and other sorts of transformations.
Lent is a season of change, a season of transforming our spiritual lives, a time of spiritual transfigurations. Our natural inclinations are to avoid the ef-fort. Transformation requires energetic effort. It challenges and disturbs our comfortable patterns of behavior.
The episode in today's Gospel occurred just prior to the time Jesus was to enter Jerusalem, and there suffer his passion and death. He knows the trauma
his Apostles are about to experience, and so he gives them a preview of his ultimate transfiguration.
Isaac Newton, one of the greatest scientists of all time, famously formulated his universal laws of motion. His first law of motion tells us that an object at rest stays at rest, and that an object in mo-tion stays in motion. While that is true in the world of physics, we know that psychologically we all experience procrastination, laziness and resistance to change. We want to stay at rest.
Jesus had to deal with that same tendency in his Apostles. Jesus knew the Apostles needed to see the ultimate outcome that would follow after all of the suffering they and Jesus were about to face in Jerusalem. Transformation is not easy. It costs.
And so we have the yearly season of Lent.
We all know that Lent is more than simply having ashes placed on our foreheads. Entering Lent, we made resolutions to take specific actions, such as attending Mass more often, reading spiritu-al books, increasing our times of prayer, performing acts of charity, and other actions that involve making some change in our lives. All of these involve movement toward one form or another of trans-formation – of transfiguration.
An object at rest tends to stay at rest, whereas an object in motion tends to stay in motion. The Church challenges us to move, to change, and to get out of our comfort zones. Peter wanted to hunker down in three tents. He was resisting movement and change. I can recognize myself in his attitude. I know a thing or two about staying in my comfort zone – about procrastination and resistance. That is why I need Lent. And that is why I need to keep in mind Easter and the resurrection toward which we are all journeying.
This is only the second Sunday of Lent. Many more days of Lent lie ahead of us. Let's keep in mind the ultimate outcome that is presented to us in today's Gospel. Let’s you and I move, knowing that a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
As your Lenten journey continues, may you be filled with the joy of knowing that Jesus is walking the journey with you. Thank you for joining us in prayer today.
Father Tony
HOSPITALITY MINISTERS for our 9:30 a.m. Mass
Today, Mar. 12 - Vicky Francisco Sunday, Mar. 19 - Antonette Glynn Sunday, Mar. 26 - St. Vincent de Paul
Our Liturgical Week
Monday, Mar. 13 8:00 a.m. † Marygrace Dunn (By: Richard Dunn) Tuesday, Mar. 14 8:00 a.m. † Andy Arvisu (By: Griselda MacDonald)
Wednesday, Mar. 15 8:00 a. m . Xavier Echon Sp. Int. (By: Mercedes Mateo)
Thursday, Mar. 16 8:00 a.m. † Emma J. Hock (By: Georgia Ann Parsons) 9:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross
Friday, Mar. 17 8:00 a.m. Mercedes Mateo Sp. Int. (By: Emma)
Saturday, Mar. 18 8:00 a.m. † Jesus C. Lazalde (By: Betty Ganduglia) 3:30 a.m. Reconciliation 4:30 p.m. † Denis O’Connor (By: Rose O’Connor) Sunday, Mar. 19 8:00 a.m. † Jose Solomon (By: Adele Caunan) 9:30 a. m. † Sean Daly (By: Eugene Daly) 11:30 a.m. † Mary Griffin (By: Michael Griffin)
6:45 p.m.
Bold Indicates Mass Intentions
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.
St Stephen Events Calendar
Monday 12:00 p.m. 50+ Club/Hall 3:00 p.m. School 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 4:00 p.m. Phil. Orchestra/Hall 7:00 p.m. Women’s Guild Bd./EC 7:00 p.m. Parish Council Mtg./Rectory 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. RCIA/Parish Office 7:30 p.m. On Eagle’s Wings/EC
Thursday 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall 3:00 p.m. School Play Rehearsal/ Hall 6:30 p.m. Welcome Mtg./Rectory
Friday 7:30 p.m. G.A. Closed Meeting/EC
Saturday 8:30 a.m. Lector & EMHC Training/Church 6:00 p.m. St. Patrick Dinner/Hall Sunday 10:30 a.m. 1st Grade Fashion Show Practice/Hall 7:00 p.m. Adult Vollyball/Gym
(Contact our office for more information)
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The LORD said to Abram: All the families of the earth shall find blessing in you (Genesis 12:1-4a) Psalm — Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (Psalm 33). Second Reading — God has called us to a holy life, not because of our works but according to grace (2 Timothy 1:8b-10). Gospel — Atop a high mountain, Jesus was transfig-ured before Peter, James, and John. (Matthew 17:1).
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Second Sunday of Lent Daylight Saving Time begins Girl Scouting Sunday Friday: St. Patrick Saturday: St. Cyril of Jerusalem
2017 ANNUAL APPEAL “In Progress - thru Mar. 6, 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 $13,760.00, leaving a balance of $79,668. 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 Bautista, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James Brady Mr. and Mrs. John Bruno
Mrs. Nancy Buckley Mr. and Mrs. Carlos R. Cajilig, Jr.
Mrs. Betty 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 Mr. James F. Cook
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Defea Mr. and Mrs. Arsenio Del Rosario
Ms. Irene Dobbins Tzvetana and Mike Duffy
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Duggan Mr. and Mrs. David Dulany
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Fambrini Mr. and Mrs. Primo Fernandez
Ms. Betty Ganduglia Mr. and Mrs. Richard Garcia-Kennedy
Jennifer and Gavin Garzee Mrs. Elinor Gatto
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 donors 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 (so January donations were credit to AAA 2016). Envelopes put into the collection basket or mailed to the church are sent to the Archdiocese (unopened) 2-3 times each month. Electronic donations through our website are reported to the Archdiocese at the end of each month. Any Feb-ruary AAA electronic gifts were not reported to the Archdiocese on March 6th. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.
Rev. Tony La Torre Mr. Paul Laveroni
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leach Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Leehane
Margareta Lim Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lobre Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lou
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Lubich 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. Matilda Morey Ms. Lisa Perez
Mr. and Mrs. James Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Prete Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Quane
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ramos Dr. and Mrs. Mariano Rayos
Mr. and Mrs. John Ritchie Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ryan
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Salvemini Ms. Debra A. Schneider
Ms. Deborah Lobo Ms. Lutzie E. Sotto
Ms. Louise Stagnaro Mr. and Mrs. Peter Stephans
Mr. Noli Tamase Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence W. Teshara
Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Torres Mrs. Milagros Ubungen
Mr. and Mrs. George Vella Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Ysip
Wednesday Lenten Soup Suppers
St. Stephen Parish welcomes you to our 2017 Lenten Soup Suppers. Three Wednesday evenings from March 15th to March 29th will begin with a simple soup supper in Donworth Hall. Each night begins at 6:30 for soup followed by a one-hour presentation by our guest speaker at 7:00. March 15th ~ Rabbi Jonathan Singer
Theme: “Passover from the Jewish Perspective”
March 22nd ~ Father Dave Pettingill Theme: “Passover from a
Catholic Priest’s Perspective”
March 29th Taize Prayer Service
THE BIG THREE (Matthew 6:3-4, 6, 27-18)
We aren’t just spiritual beings. We are also physical entities, and the way to the soul is through the body. That’s why Lenten discipline has historically cen-tered on the “Big Three” of Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer.
FASTING is not just a spir itual diet. By denying our bodies, our physical hunger reminds us of the hunger of our souls for God, our longing for a deeper relationship with our Lord.
ALMSGIVING teaches us to separate our -selves from material possessions. By freely giving of our money and possessions, we learn to trust the Lord more deeply for our own daily needs.
Finally, an emphasis on PRAYER during Lent is a way to stir up our love and ardor by having a deepening conversation with the Almighty. Re-member that the light of God’s love shines more brightly in the darkness of the recognition of our
COMING ATTRACTIONS THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS
Movie Preview: You go into the movie theatre, find a seat that's suitable. You find a place for your coat, sit down, and get ready to watch the movie. The house lights dim; the speakers crackle as the dust and scratches on the sound-track are translated into static, and an image ap-pears on the screen. It is not the film you came to see. It is the preview of coming attractions, a brief glimpse of the highlights of a film opening soon. The moviemakers and theater owners hope the preview will pique your interest enough to make you want to come back and see the whole film. On the Mount of the Transfig-uration, Peter, James and John, the inner circle of Jesus' disciples, were given a preview of coming attractions. Today’s Gospel gives us a splendid preview of Jesus radiant in Divine glo-ry, his mortal nature brilliantly, though only momentarily, transfigured; a dazzling preview of His Divinity, unalloyed and perfectly pure, shining in glory like the very sun. A sneak pre-view, in other words, of Easter and of His final coming in Glory to take us Home, the trium-phant climax of the epic love story between God and humanity.
SPIRITUAL “HUMOR” OF THE WEEK
Lenten penance: Here is a story of a father trying to explain Lent to his ten-year-old son. At one point, the fa-ther said, "You ought to give up something for Lent, something you will really miss, like candy." The boy thought for a moment, then asked, "What are you giving up, Father?" "I'm giving up liquor," the father replied. "But before dinner you were drinking something," the boy protested. "Yes, but that was only sherry," said the father. "I gave up hard liquor." To which the boy replied, "Well then, I think I'll give up hard candy."
“I have decided to give up drinking for Lent:” An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers. The bar-tender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone and orders three more. As this continued every day the bartender asked him politely, “The folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?" "It’s odd, isn't it?" the man replies, "You see, I have two brothers, and one went to America, and the other to Australia. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank." Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. As this continued for several days, the bartender approached him with tears in his eyes and said, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all..." The man ponders this for a moment and then replies with a broad smile, "You'll be happy to know that my two brothers are alive and well. It’s just that I, myself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."
Our Altar Servers Our special “thanks” to our student Altar Servers who faithfully continue to volunteer their time and tal-ent to our parish. Our Altar Servers for February 27 thru March 5 were:
— Weekday Masses —
Hannah Morello, Anthony Zevallos, Miguel Guzman, Zachary Ferdon, Dory Miller, Alexa O’Callaghan, Kevin Hernandez, Michael McDonough, Claire Patankar, Cooper Andersen and Aidan Flocchini.
— Weekend Masses —
Mikel Villamayorn, Claire Patankar, Michael McDonough, Aidan Flocchini, John Brooks, Aidan Dugan, Lauren Schneider, Erin Scheg, Sarah Krauss, Esmeralda Ramirez, Patrick Martin and Emily Schmitt.
Thank You!
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
or Katherine Moser, School Development Di-rector, at [email protected].
IF I WERE If I Were . . . .
A knife Lent would be a time to sharpen my cutting edges. A car Lent would be a time for an oil change and a tune-up. A swimming pool Lent would be a time to filter the dirt out of my water. A garden Lent would be a time to fertilize my soil and dig out my weeds. A carpet Lent would be a time to get power-cleaned. A VCRs Lent would be a time to clean my heads and adjust my track. A computer Lent would be a time to overhaul my disk drive. A highway Lent would be a time to repair my cracks and fill my potholes. A television Lent would be a time to adjust my focus and my fine-tuning. A silverware, Lent would be a time to clean away my tarnish. A battery Lent would be a time to be recharged. A seed Lent would be a time to germinate and reach for the sun.
But we are none of those things. We are people who sometimes do wrong things; we need to atone for them. sometimes get spiritually lazy; we need to get back into shape. sometimes become selfish; we need to stretch out of our narrowness and begin giving again. sometimes lose sight of our purpose on earth and the immense promise within us; we need to regain our vision.
And because we are also people who sometimes tend to put those things off, we need a special sort of official time to concentrate on doing them. So we have Lent. The Easter candy will taste sweeter, the Easter flowers will bloom more brightly, the Easter Sunday sun will shine more warmly if we are a better people - and all because of how we spend these next forty days.
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PASTORAL STAFF
Rev. Tony P. LaTorre Pastor ext.25
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
