St. Stephen Parish SaintStephenSF.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. & 6:45 p.m. May 26 ,2019 Sixth Sunday of Easter How many of us have ever wished, in moments of indecision, that God would send us a clear sign about what we are called to do at that moment – perhaps an angel to tell us exactly what God wants? At times like these, when we’re surrounded by tur- moil and violence, it can be easy to feel that God has left us alone to fend for ourselves – that we’re left on our own with no clear direction. But the readings today, as we come ever nearer to the great Feast of Pentecost, are reassuring. We are not alone, but have God, the Church, and the people around us to give us guidance and support when we need it – as long as we’re open to the different ways the Holy Spirit operates in our daily lives. In the first reading, we see the Church, our brothers and sisters in the faith, as a support system to help us understand what is required of us. The earliest Gentile disciples in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia were misled into believing they had to follow the ancient Mosaic law if they were to be saved – if they were to be Chris- tians. But the Apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit in their discussions, realized that Gentile believers were not called to the same strict code of law that the Jewish people had been, and they sent emissaries to encourage the Gentiles, to lighten their load. Sometimes, in this case, the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the word of those around us, the faithful people who listen to the voice of the Spirit and help us to understand. Jesus assures us in the Gospel that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will be with us if we stay close to God, if we listen to God’s word and allow God to make his dwelling in us. Even though Jesus is not physical- ly with us any more (in his human form), his Spirit is with us to guide us to the truth – to remind us of the words that Jesus spoke to the Apostles and continues to speak to us through Scripture. The Holy Spirit who dwells in us speaks to us in our heart, during our prayer and when we are open to receiving his message. How do we know that the Holy Spirit is speaking to us? One way is to stay close to God through daily prayer, Scripture reading and the sacraments. One special type of prayer is the nightly Examen, in which we review the day past and see how God has been working in that day – where we received special blessings, where we were effective in our discipleship and where we might have failed. Through the daily practice of examining our lives, we can more easily see how God has spoken to us that day – through prayer, for exam- ple, or through the words or action of a family member or colleague. As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, let us always remember that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, longs to speak God’s word to us and guide us – if we’re open. We have celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation, last week First Holy Communion, we’ve journey together during this Easter Festival – what blessings we have here at Saint Stephen Parish. Thank you, for being part of it! God Bless you all! Father Tony

LITURGY AND LIFE • How does your faith calm you when you are troubled? • What does Christ’s peace offer you? • Have you considered the Holy Spirit as part of your life of faith?

THOUIGHTS FROM THE SCRIPTURE Saint Francis of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi was an ardent advocate of the doctrine of the indwelling of God in man. It enabled him to love everyone equally whatever his status in life. One day he met a fellow who had no love for God. As they walked along, they met a man who was blind and paralyzed. St. Francis asked the sightless cripple: “Tell me if I were to restore your eyesight and the use of your limbs, would you love me?” “Ah,” replied the beggar, “I would not only love you, but I would be your slave for the rest of my life.” “See,” said Francis to the man who maintained that he could not love God, “this man would love me if I gave him his sight and his health. Why don’t you love God who created you with eyesight and strong limbs?” That is what Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. If we love Jesus because of the countless blessings he has given us, and so keep his word as the center of our life, he will start dwelling within us in the company of his Father and the Holy Spirit, making us the temples of the Triune God. Helen Keller The story is told that after Helen Keller’s teacher, Annie Sullivan, had given her the names of physical objects in sign language, Miss Sullivan attempted to explain God and tapped out the symbols for the name "God." Much to Miss Sullivan’s surprise, Helen spelled back, "Thank you for telling me God’s name, Teacher, for He has touched me many times before." How could Helen Keller have known about God? Although she was blind and deaf, Helen Keller knew God, for God had shown Himself to her. That is the “revelation” of an indwelling God about whom today’s Scripture readings speak.

OUR ACTIONS

Let us be aware of the abiding presence of God within us: We live in the New Covenant of Jesus, daily facing uncertainty, conflict, and temptations. It is the abiding presence of God within us that enables us to face the future with undying hope and true Christian courage. The Holy Spirit, sent upon the Church by the Father at the request of the risen Lord, prompts us to turn to His Holy Scriptures for support and encouragement, enables us to learn the Divine truths, and grants us His peace at all times. However, to be able to receive these gifts, it is neces- sary for us to spend a little time each day in personal prayer, talking to God and listening to Him. We must deepen our relationship with Jesus, learn to get in touch with him, and sincerely love him. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, we will know His plan for our life and His solutions for whatever problems we face. We will be able to love our fellow human beings, and there will be a core of peace within us. The Holy Spirit teaches us through the Scriptures and preaching during the Holy Mass as well as in our prayer and our private reading of Scripture. Jesus loves us and comes to us in Communion. When the Mass is ended, we go forth in the peace of Christ -- all this under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone: One of the great social and ethical problems of our time is isolation. Today ap- proximately 25% of all adults live alone. Spouses, parents and children often live as virtual strangers to one another. This is unfortunate because we never need to be alone. Jesus can always be present to us. He shares with us his joy and replaces the burden of our guilt with the freedom of forgiveness. He takes our grief and turns it into joy. We need only allow Jesus into our lives to be rid of this loneliness. Oneness with Jesus is the greatest gift we can give our children, our friends, or those who see no purpose in life. We can help to bring people to unity with Jesus, a unity that will change their lives. As we celebrate this Eucharistic meal, our Mass, let us celebrate in a special way the price Jesus paid for our redemption. May this Eucharistic celebra- tion empower us to lead a true Life in the Spirit. Monday, May 27 8:00 a.m. Adele Caunan Sp. Int. Monday, May 27 Memorial Day (By: Elvie, Mila, Belinda & Fely) Parish Office and School Closed Tuesday, May 28 Tuesday, May 28 th 8:00 a.m. † Andres & Beatriz Caunan 8:00 a.m. 8 Grade Luncheon Set-Up/Hall (By: Adele Caunan) 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall

Wednesday, May 29 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice/Church 8:00 a.m. St. Stephen Parishioners Sp. Int. Wednesday, May 29 th (By: Fr. Tony) 12:00 p.m. 8 Grade Luncheon/Hall

Thursday, May 30 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/EC 8:00 a.m. † Thursday, May 30 12:00 p.m. School Lunch/Hall Friday, May 31 Friday, May 31 8:00 a.m. † Enrique De Leon (By: Maria Barzoloski) 7:00 p.m. GA Meeting/EC Saturday, June 1 Saturday, June 1 8:00 a.m. Graduation Dance Set-Up/Hall 8:00 a.m. † Marygrace Dunn (By: Marianne Daly) Sunday, June 2 3:30 p.m. WKICU/Church & EC 4:30 p.m. † Denis O’Connor th (By: Parishioners) 7:00 p.m. 8 Grade Graduation Dance/Hall

Sunday, June 2 7:00 p.m. Adult Volleyball/Gym 8:00 a.m † Tony C. S. Lo (By: Grace Wu) 9:30 a.m. † Lou Vagadori Children’s liturgy (By: Ed & Cecelia Prete) We will begin ‘Sunday Children’s Liturgy at the 9:30 11:30 a.m. † Luzfe Torres Mass’ again in the Fall. Please contact Mary Molly in (By: Laarni Gusto) the parish office if you would like to volunteer with the 6:45 p.m. † Mariano Cadiz Children’s Liturgy in the future. (By: Rebecca Roque) SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sixth Sunday of Easter Sunday: Sixth Sunday of Easter May 26, 2019 Monday: St. Augustine of Canterbury; May the peoples praise you, O God; Memorial Day may all the peoples praise you! Friday: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Psalm 67:6 Saturday: St. Justin; First Saturday TODAY’S READINGS lease pray for the sick and First Reading — The question of whether circumcision homebound of our com- is necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29). P munity and for all those written Psalm — O God, let all the nations praise you! (Psalm in our book of the sick. May 67) they know the healing touch of Jesus. Second Reading — John envisions the holy city, the Elena Amaya, Edileide Jose Barbosa, new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23) or Revela- Larry Barbiere, Cindy De Jesus, Carol Dominguez, tion 22:12-14, 16-17, 20. Kenneth Fambrini, Eden Finn, Betty Ganduglia, Gospel — Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to Marc Gutierres, Juan Pablo Grover-Paez, you (John 14:23-29) or John 17:20-26. Kevin King, Nestor & Nessa Plondaya, The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Interna- tional Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Betty Rodriguez, Joel Rivera, Nenita Sangalang, Ed Silvia, Anna Macalino Thompson, HOSPITALITY MINISTERS Jovita & Richard Thompson, Joseph Tren, for our 9:30 a.m. Mass Gwendolyn Walsh and Jodie Yuzon.

Today, May 26 - Volunteer Please call the office to add or remove names of people that we Sunday, June 2 - Parish Staff should pray for this month or should remain on this list longer . Sunday, June 9 - Book Club ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS our Easter Sundays is conveyed by joyful Alleluias and the rite of sprinkling at Mass. Long ago, people "Mommy, are you there?": I recall the story of expressed this joy by suspending all rules of fasting a little girl who, when trains were popular transporta- and by never kneeling at liturgy. tion, was taking her first train ride with her parents. As These customs all point to our conviction that night descended, the mother took the girl, who was time is holy. There is an elegant balance to the Chris- clearly quite anxious, and placed her on the upper tian year: forty days of Lenten fast and discipline give bunk of the sleeper. She told her little one that up there way to fifty days of unrestrained rejoicing. That’s why she would be nearer to God and that God would watch it is still Easter! —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. over her. As silence enveloped the young lady she be- came afraid and called softly, "Mommy, are you there?" "Yes dear," came the response. A little later, in 2019 Spring Raffle Winners a louder voice, the child called, "Daddy, are you there, 1st Prize: $1000 CASH - Vaughn Jones 2nd Prize: 55K Flat TV - Helen Diestel too?" "Yes dear," was the reply. After this had been repeated several times one of the passengers sharing 3rd Prize: Handmade Quilt #1 - Til Mossi 4th Prize: $250 CASH - Ms. Raquel Gonzalez their sleeper car finally lost his patience and shouted Additional Winners loudly, "Yes, we're all here, your father, your mother, your brother, and all your aunts and cousins; now set- Handmade Quilt #2 - Lynn Boquiren Handmade Quilt #3 - Zenaida O. Magadia tle down and go to sleep!" There was a moment of si- St Stephen Painting - Leo P MCardle lence and then, in hushed tones a little voice asked, Train Shop Gift Cert - Rebecca Caoile "Mommy, was that God?" Jesus, in offering peace, $100 Target Gift Card - J. Lavitor does not say, "I'm here, the Holy Spirit's here and God is here, now be at peace!" The peace that Jesus offers $50 Gift Card - Lorraine Rinaldi cannot be had simply by desiring it. The peace of God Congratulations to All Winners! is a gift; it can only be received as a by-product of Call St. Stephen Parish Office for details Faith. That's why the world is largely a stranger to it. JOKE OF THE WEEK Story of converson: Joshua, a young Jew, fell in love with Mary, a devout Catholic. When 1) Here is an Irish lyric: "Paddy Murphy Joshua proposed to Mary, she sought counsel from went to Mass, never missed a Sunday. her parents, each of whom advised her differently. But Paddy Murphy went to hell, for what he did on “Convert him to Catholicism!” commanded Mary’s Monday." dad, but her mum said, “Love him tenderly and 2) Don’t lose your mental peace: The Sunday school God’s Spirit will work wonders!” Mary’s dad children had all been photographed with pastor sitting wouldn’t give in and ordered her to work hard at in their center. The pastor was trying to persuade the converting Joshua to Catholicism. Mary obeyed and children to buy a copy of the group photo. "Just think Joshua was duly converted. Weeks later Joshua how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown called off the marriage. “What’s up?” asked Mary’s up and say, 'There's Jennifer; she's a lawyer,' or 'That's dad. Mary sobbed: “Joshua wants to be a priest!” Michael; he's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's our pastor; he's dead." TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Why is it still Easter? The lilies have long 3) Peace and Relaxation: Did you know that.....If you since faded. The roots of our tradition of fifty days of can start the day without caffeine, if you can get going rejoicing from Easter to Pentecost lie in the seven-day without pep pills, if you can always be cheerful, ignor- rhythm of the Jewish week, drawn from the six days ing aches and pains, if you can resist complaining and of creation plus a Sabbath day. A favorite name for the boring people with your troubles, if you can eat the Lord’s Day among our ancestors in the faith was “The same food every day and be grateful for it, if you can Eighth Day,” meaning that in Christ a breakthrough to understand when your loved ones are too busy to give a new humanity was achieved. With that inner archi- you any time, if you can take criticism without resent- tecture, it makes sense to see Pentecost as a week of ment, if you can ignore a friend's limited education weeks, forty-nine days plus one, again signaling that a and never correct him, if you can resist treating a rich new age has begun in Christ and the outpouring of his friend better than a poor friend, if you can conquer Spirit. The Jewish appreciation for Pentecost gave rise tension without medical help, if you can relax without to the Jubilee year, the fiftieth year, when debts were liquor, if you can sleep without the aid of drugs, released and prisoners set free. Today, the character of ...Then you are probably the family dog! 2019 ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL

Thank you to those who have already responded to the Appeal - your generosity is most heartwarming! It is important that everyone in the parish, and the Archdiocese, take this project seriously, as I remind everyone that there are so many fellow Catholics who benefit from your generosity. Our "required" participation this year is $92,685.00. I ask that everyone participate, parishioner and visitor alike. Bro- chures are available on the tables in the vestibule (and side entrance). No gift is too small, and all gifts help the programs as explained in the brochure. I also invite you to join the 1% club, which means you are invited to a great dinner at the priest house (what a deal, that is!). So check out the brochure, pray over how you can help, and return it with your support as soon as possible. I thank you in advance for your participation. (Fr. Tony) Our current “outstanding” balance is: $ 60,183.00. PARISH GOAL : $ 92,685.00

Week Amount Received No. of Households BALANCE

8 (as of April 16) $ 500.00 1 $60,183.00 1-7 $ 32,002.00 164 $ 71,341.00

Anonymous M/M Douglas Cayabyab M/M Brian Holl Ms. Anne O’Shea M/M Manuel Abad M/M Graziano Cerchiai M/M Claudio Hrvan M/M Thomas Parini Ms. Phyllis Abad M/M Joseph Champagne M/M Renzo Hrvan M/M Thomas M. Perlite M/M Dale Allen Jr. Ms. Patricia Cloonan Ms. Cynthia G. Kelly M/M Thomas J. Perlite M/M Carlos Altamirao M/M Ronan Concannon Mrs. Marcail Kennedy M/M Joseph Phair Mrs. Dorothy Arata Mr. Joseph D’Aura M/M Leo LaRocca Mrs. Ferdie Putra Mrs. Regina Aye & M/M Calvin Delucchi Rev. Anthony P LaTorre M/M Mark Ragaza Mr. James Lin M/M Michael Duffy M/M Eric Ching-Yuan Liu Mr Robert Reidy M/M Allan D. Ayson M/M David Dulany Ms. Deborah Lobo M/M John Ritchie M/M Charles Barca M/M James Dyer Jr M/M Mahew Lobre M/M Rodel Rodis M/M Moises Bausta Jr. M/M Kenneth Fambrini M/M Damian Madden Mrs. Eileen Rodman M/M Eugene Birsinger Ms. Suzanne Fichera M/M Ralph Mapson Mr. Francisco Roselada Mr. Clemence Blondo Ms. Bey Ganduglia M/M Lawrence Mazzola M/M Daniel M. Salvemini Mr. James Brady M/M Darius S. Garcia M/M Stephen McElroy Rev David Schunk Mr. Kieran Branch & M/M Gavin Garzee Mr. Daniel McGarry & M/M Marn Slaery Ms. Beatriz O'Daly Mrs. Elinor Gao Mrs. Courtney Cassinelli Ms. Lutzie E. Soo Mrs. Maria E. Brooks M/M Ryan Gille Ms. Joanne McGrail M/M Peter Stephans M/M John Bruno Ms. Avelina A. Gomez Mr. Sean McGrillen & M/M William Taylor Ms. Nancy Buckley M/M Mark Goas Ms. Sarah Barca M/M Gary R. Torres M/M Carlos R. Cajilig Jr. Mrs. Diane Gragnani Mrs. Alene Meyers M/M Norman Ubungen Ms. Jocelyn Caoile Mrs. Linda Grimes Mrs. Gayle T. Montalbano M/M Lawrence Wong M/M Robert Carlevaris M/M Roberto Guzman M/M Joseph Morello Mrs. Maria Xavier M/M Gerald Carrillo M/M James P Hargarten Mrs. Elizabeth Nakagoshi M/M Reynaldo Ysip M/M Patrick J. Casserly Jr. Mr. Daniel Ho Haryasyah M/M Eddie Nasser Mr. Frank Cassinelli Mrs. Rose O’Connor M/M Lawrence Hayes Thank you! Ms. Adelaida R. Caunan Ms. Joanne Hayes-White M/M Remidius Ojong M/M Thomas Hazard

This Week’s Altar Server Schedule Mon. 5/27: Beatriz Taylor, Domenic Regalia Tues. 5/28: Beckett Anderson, Patrick Schmitt Wed. 5/29: Evan O’Driscoll, Nils Wallace Thurs. 5/30: Mia Harsha, Alexandra Harlan Fri. 5/31: Madison Pashby, Megan Stecher Sat. June 1, 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Diego Ramirez, Karl Uthman

Our special “thanks” to our student Altar Servers who faithfully volunteer their time and talent to our parish.

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 ser- vice and sensitive outreach to those in need Rev. Tony P. LaTorre, Pastor PASTORAL STAFF ST STEPHEN PARISH 2018-2019

Rev. Tony P. LaTorre ORGANIZATION/MINISTRY CONTACT PERSON Pastor, ext.1 [email protected] • Altar Servers Giovanna Hrvatin • Altar Society Joan Leehane Mrs. Sharon McCarthy Allen School Principal • Bridge Group Helen Perlite • Caritas Nellie Hizon Carol P Cagalingan Parish Manager, ext. 3 • Church Hospitality Mary Molly Mullaney [email protected] • Communion Ministers Rhonda Smith

Rev. Mr. Olet Abad • Faith Formation Mary Molly Mullaney Permanent Deacon • Fifty Plus Club Helga D’Arcy

• Mary Molly Mullaney Finance Council Laura Birsinger Faith Formation Coordinator, ext. 4 • Grief Support Clergy [email protected] • Lectors Rhonda Smith

Shay Ingelfinger • Liturgy Committee Fr. Tony Event Center Coordinator, ext.7 • Marriage Preparation Clergy [email protected] • Men’s Club Andrew Hazard Rhonda Smith • Music Rhonda Smith Music & Liturgy Coordinator, ext. 8 [email protected] • Parish Council Vicky Francisco • RCIA Mary Molly Mullaney Teresa Devincenzi Bookkeeper, ext.5 • St. Stephen Book Club Mary Molly Mullaney [email protected] • St. Vincent de Paul Julie O’Callaghan

• Ed Prete Ushers Bob Anthony Bulletin Editor, ext. 6 • Women’s Guild Lydia Flocchini [email protected] 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 681-2444 or online at www.saintstephensf.org Name ______Address ______

City/Zip ______Phone ______Email ______

I am interested in assisting with the Parish in the following way(s): Acolyte/Altar Service , Altar Society, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Greeter/Usher , Hospitality after Mass/Special Events, Holy Communion Ministers to the Homebound, Music/Choir, Lector/Holy Communion Ministers

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