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.

The Eighteen Sunday in Ordinary Time

How wonderfully God provides for the needs of his people. In today’s first reading, God generously responds to the complaints of the people he has mi- raculously freed from slavery, by providing daily rations of quail and manna – in a desert! He gives them just as much as they need, when they need it, in- viting them to trust in him to fulfill every necessity, every day. More than one thousand years later, Jesus explains to the crowd that he is the bread of life – the answer to every need. He is the one who fulfills every ne- cessity, every day, for he is food that endures for eternal life. We have much in common with both the Israelites who wandered in the de- sert, and with the crowds who were fed by Jesus and later sought him out, looking for more. Whether we live in a bustling city, in a suburb or in the re- motest rural area, we face deserts in our own lives – difficult times when we seem to be lost or facing impossible challenges. Jesus reminds us, as he reminded the people of his time, that we need to rely for strength and nourishment on food that is “imperishable” – food that will feed our souls and bring us eternal life. This is not unlike Saint Paul’s message to the Ephesians, that they must no longer live as the Gen- tiles do, in the futility of their minds … you should put away the old self … and be renewed in the spirit of your minds. Paul, of course, is speaking not just of how we think, but how we live. And liv- ing in the Christian community means celebrating and partaking of the Eucharist, the sacrament which forms and transforms us to live in this world and the next. As the crowds did, and the Ephesians did, let us seek Jesus and rely on him when we need any- thing. He is the one sent by God to bring life to the world – and to help us through the desert jour- ney of this life. Blessings! Fr. Tony

Additional Reflections from our Scripture

We need spiritual nourishment from the word of God and from the Holy Eucharist: In the Holy Mass, the Church offers us two types of bread: a) the Bread of Life, contained in God’s Word and b) the Bread of Life, contained in the Holy Eucharist. Unfortunately, many of us come to Mass every week only to present on the altar our earthly needs without accepting spiritual nourishment by properly receiving God’s Word and the Holy Eucharist. Let us nourish our souls with this Heav- enly manna and carry Jesus to our homes and workplaces, radiating his love, mercy and compas- sion all around us. It is perhaps the plainness and ordinariness of the consecrated Bread and Wine and their easy availability in our Churches that sometimes prevent some of us from appreciating the great gift of God in the Holy Eucharist. But we should not take for granted the Divine gener- osity that provides these gifts so readily and gratuitously by sharing in the Bread of Life simply as a matter of habit and without showing due attention and proper respect. LITURGY AND LIFE • When has God given you something that you have later grumbled about? • Which things that will perish divert your attention from what brings eternal life? Monday, Aug.6 8:00 a.m. † Vera Brennan Greely Monday, Aug. 6 (By: Joan & Dan Leehane) 5:45 p.m. SF Juniors Volleyball/Gym Tuesday, Aug. 7 7:00 p.m. Liturgy Committee Mtg./Rectory 8:00 a.m. † Lena Fambrini Tuesday, Aug.7 (By: Claudio & Giovanna Hrvatin) 1:00 p.m. School Uniform Sale/Hall

Wednesday, Aug. 8 5:45 p.m. SF Juniors Volleyball/Gym 8:00 a.m. † Peter Ganduglia Wednesday, Aug. 8 (By: Betty Ganduglia) 5:45 p.m. SF Juniors Volleyball/Gym Thursday, Aug. 9 7:00 p.m. St. Vincent De Paul Conf./Conf. Rm. 8:0 a.m. † Marcelina Salvador Thursday, Aug. 9 (By: Maria Barzoloski) 5:45 p.m. SF Juniors Volleyball/Gym Friday, Aug. 10 Friday, Aug. 10 8:00 a.m. † Dan Linehan (By: Rose Linehan) 5:45 p.m. SF Juniors Volleyball/Gym 7:00 p.m. GA Meeting/EC Saturday, Aug. 11 Saturday, Aug. 11 8:00 a.m. St. Stephen Parishioners Sp. Int. 8:00 a.m. “A Grand Day”/EC (By: Fr. Tony) 4:30 p.m. † Dermot O’Neil 9:00 a.m. Book Club (By: Michael Graham) Sunday, Aug. 12

7:00 p.m. Adult Volleyball/Gym Sunday, Aug. 12

8:00 a.m † Alfred Barzoloski Our online website includes a community events calendar. (By: Maria Barzoloski)

9:30 a.m. † James Jim Hennessy (By: Tom&Nancy McGarvey & Family) Stewardship: A Way of Life 11:30 a.m. † Virgina Davey Sunday Collection: 07/29/18 $ 5,745 (By: Mary Kozuch) nd

2 Collection (SVDP): $ 1,864 6:45 p.m. † Brandon Borbeck (By: Hank & Vicki Hansel) HOSPITALITY MINISTERS Bold Indicates Mass Intentions for our 9:30 a.m. Mass

Today, Aug. 05 - Carol & Parish Staff Sunday, Aug. 12 - Francie Pasquini TODAY’S READINGS Sunday, Aug. 19 - Cecelia Prete First Reading — I will rain down bread from heaven for you (Exodus 16:2-4,12-15). lease pray for the sick and home- P bound of our community and for all Psalm — The Lord gave them bread from those written in our book of the sick. heaven (Psalm 78). May they know the healing touch of Jesus.

Second Reading — Put on the new self Jean Alga, Elena Amaya, Edileide Jose Barbosa, that has been created in God’s way (Ephesians 4:17, 20-24). Larry Barbiere, Ed Cummings, Emma Lew, Lawrence Lee, Carol Dominguez, Kenneth Fambrini, Gospel — Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and Eden Finn, Al Gragnani, Marc Gutierres, whoever believes in me will never thirst (John 6:24-35). Juan Pablo Grover-Paez, Maria Matthews, Nenita Sangalang, Anna Macalino Thompson, The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Betty Rodriguez, Joel Rivera, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Jovita & Richard Thompson.

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 Gratitude . . . . STRENGTHENED BY THE BREAD OF LIFE

The story is told of two old friends who bumped Today we resume the “Bread of Life” discourse into one another on the street one day. One of them from John’s Gospel that began two weeks ago. He looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His makes reference to the Jews’ ancestors who ate man- friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my na in the desert. These days we would think primarily old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. of Israel wandering in the desert, but faithful Jews Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me would also have known the story of Elijah that we $40,000." "That's a lot of money." "But, two hear today. Strengthened by food and drink in the weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew, died, and desert, the angel of the Lord sends him on his forty- left me $85,000 free and clear." "Sounds like you've day and forty-night journey (the biblical number for a been blessed...." "You don't understand!" he inter- preparation time). Like the food given to Elijah in the rupted. "Last week my great aunt passed away. I desert, Jesus tells his listeners that he is bread for the inherited almost a quarter of a million." Now he was life of the world. It is very important that we not stop really confused. "Then, why do you look so glum?" listening to Jesus after his promise of eternal life—a "This week ... nothing!" Gratitude is something that marvelous promise, but this “reward” is not the only you only feel when a gift is truly appreciated. To- reason we feast on the Bread of Life. We also come day’s Gospel describes Jesus correcting the wrong to the table to be made strong for the journey of mis- attitude of his listeners who had gathered around sion, that the whole world might have life in the full- him with wrong motive of getting another free ness of Christ. We are compelled, if we have eaten of the bread of life, to go forth in service to all. lunch. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

“A Grand Day” A special “day camp” for St. Stephen Grandparents and their Grandchildren to come together and have fun.

DATE: Saturday, August 11, 2018 TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. LOCATION: St. Stephen Parish O’Reilly Center 451 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco

Must register in advance. Registration forms are available in back of and parish office. Contact Mary Molly Mullaney in the parish office with any questions. Phone: (415) 681-2444 x4 or e-mail [email protected]

9:00 a.m. – Gathering with donuts, coffee and juice 9:30 a.m.- 12 noon Day Camp Activities-(songs, games, crafts) 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. – Light Lunch provided No Charge Whom Do We Trust? Actor Tony Randall, famous for his role as Felix in , once had an experi- ence that surely was the inspiration for a current credit card commercial. Randall was in a jewelry store in City. The store's owner recognized him and became very ex- cited. He declared that Randall was his all-time favorite actor. What a treat it would be for his wife, the man said, if she could talk to the Tony Randall. Randall graciously agreed. So, the man called his wife, and Randall had a short, pleasant conversation with her as she gushed on and on about how wonderful he was. Finally, Randall came to the point of his visit to the jewelry store. There was a gold necklace in the window that had caught his eye. He'd like to buy it. Would the store accept a personal check? The store owner hesitated, then asked, "Do you have any identification?" Recognition only goes so far. The store owner was ready to idolize Tony Randall; he wasn't ready to trust him. You see where this is leading, don't you? Is it possible for people to come in this House today and worship Jesus--but still not trust him with their lives? Jesus, The Giver AND The Gift! Jesus not only gives the Bread of Life (John 6:11, 27) -- He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48). The Giver and the Gift are one and the same. As the Bread of Life from Heaven, Jesus claims that only he can satisfy man’s spiritual hunger. While bodily food helps us to stay alive in this world, spiritual food sustains and de- velops our supernatural life which will last forever in heaven. Through God's infinite love we are given, in the Blessed Eucharist, the very Author of the gifts of Faith and sanctifying grace. Thus, the Eucharist is not a mere "symbol" of Jesus; rather, it is a Sacramental sign of Jesus’ Real Bodily Presence in his glorified risen Body. This Bread of Life -- which is Jesus himself -- gives mankind a new relationship with God, a relation- ship of trust, obedience and love.

EATING WELL Most Americans eat well. To have three square meals a day is not uncommon. Indeed, many eat five or six times a day, if coffee breaks, evening snacks and other times of eating are counted, in addition to breakfast, lunch, and supper. Drive through a town of any consequence and count the number of fast food places and restaurants that are found. At some corners of major roads or along a block or two of a busy thoroughfare you may find five to ten feeding establishments. It is not uncommon to find in close proximity McDonald's, Burger King, Burger Chef, Arby's, Subway, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Dairy Queen, Long John Silver's, Wendy's, and Taco Bell as well as lesser-known or local look-a-like fast food establishments. Go into a major supermarket and count the variety of products that are similar. The only discernible difference often is in the trade name. Whole aisles will be filled with a vast array of cereals. Another aisle will be filled with competing brands of soft drinks: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Roy- al Crown, 7 Up, and lesser known or store brands. Try to find in the same area a religious bookstore. Compare the size of the religious book and supply store with the supermarket. It does not appear that people are as eager to be fed spiritually as they are to be fed physically! In John 6, Jesus takes the preoccupation of the crowds with food and drink as an occasion to move from physical eating and drinking to the more important needs of the spirit. Nourishment is needed for spiritual life and growth.

A Modern Good Samaritan A few years ago, the news media carried the story of a modern-day Good Samaritan who packed his car each day with dozens of homemade sandwiches and traveled to the inner city to distribute them to home- less and otherwise needy people. Eventually, those who benefited from his generosity became familiar with the Samaritan’s customary route and began to congregate on certain corners at a specific time each day to wait for their daily gift of food. Today’s Gospel describes such a scene where people who had been sumptuously fed on the previous day by Jesus came searching for him for another free meal.

Volunteer Opportunity with Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Faith Formation Program August 5, 2018 Do you like working with youth and teaching the Catho- Do not work for food that perishes lic Faith? The St. Stephen Parish Faith Formation pro- but for the food that endures for eternal gram and Children’s Liturgy needs volunteer teachers for life. this coming school year. — John 6:27a

Faith Formation meets on Monday afternoons, 4:00- * * * * * 5:15pm. The Children’s Liturgy is at the 9:30 Mass on SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sundays. Please contact Mary Molly Mullaney in the Sunday: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time parish office if you are interested in helping out or just Monday: The Transfiguration of the Lord want more information. Phone: (415) 681-2444 x4 Tuesday: St. Sixtus II and Companions; E-mail: [email protected] St. Cajetan Wednesday: St. Dominic Thursday: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Interested in Becoming Catholic? Friday: St. Lawrence If you, or someone you know, may be interested in the Saturday: St. Clare

Catholic Faith, or have been Baptized but never finished * * * * * receiving the Sacraments of First Communion or Confir- mation, you are encouraged to contact Mary Molly in the TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION parish office to learn more about what our parish has to In 1794, a young Irishwoman befriended two widows offer. Please call or email Mary Molly Mullaney, office aboard ship while emigrating to America. They bought a house in Philadelphia and began to live a community life phone: (415) 681-244 ext. 4 or email: under the direction of a priest. Soon they relocated to [email protected] Washington. There, the “pious ladies,” as the neighbors called them, were asked by their priest friend, by then the Registration now open for president of Georgetown University, to begin a religious Faith Formation community. In 1799 they established a branch of the Visit- for Students attending non-Catholic Schools ation Order founded by Saint Jane de Chantal and Saint st th Francis de Sales in the 1620s. in grades 1 through 8 The unique vision of this order followed a sensible rou- St. Stephen’s religious education program is now open tine, less arduous and more flexible than most traditions, and for enrollment for the coming Fall semester. . For more also accepted widows and older women. Amazingly, this information, please call Mary Molly Mullaney at St. Ste- American outpost of the Visitation began without reference phen Parish Office (415) 681-2444, x4 or on-line: Faith- to the “rule” of the Order. Most of the European convents [email protected] had been lost under the “reign of terror,” and the rules and customs of the community could not be obtained. A copy of Register online (use bar code, or visit our webpage for a the rule was discovered in 1812, and in 1816 the pope offi- link to the Google Form). If you prefer to use a paper cially established the monastery. By then, some French nuns form they are available in the vestibule or parish office had regrouped, and they sent a habit and cross to be copied. Online form: (No religious wore the habit in public in the United States https://goo.gl/forms/96ETsGRfaIDHWPW72 until after the Civil War.) From the beginning, the Georgetown nuns had an educational mission, even though St. Stephen Catholic Book Club they discovered in the “rule” that such work was officially Our Book Club is open to anyone interested in reading off-limits for the contemplative life. In America, the nuns and discussing books with inherent or implied Christian depended on a school for their livelihood, so the rule was themes. We meet the second Saturday of the month, 9:00 adapted. Today, the Academy of the Visitation is a thriving example of excellence in Catholic education, and the adja- -10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room at the parish offices, cent monastery is the oldest monastic foundation in the orig- or in a member’s home. Contact Mary Molly for more inal thirteen United States. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. info. Here are the books we will be reading: August 2018 – “Kisses From Katie” by Katie Davis * * * * * * Majors. A story of relentless love and redemption, about a NO HARSHNESS teenager’s call to volunteer at an orphanage in Africa and end- Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, ing up adopting 8 children before she’s 21 years old. kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul September 2018 – “I've Been Thinking: Reflec- and spoil the best cause.—St. John Kanty tions, Prayers, and Meditations for A Meaningful * * * * * * Life” by Maria Shriver. A book of reflections for those SING YOUR SONG seeking wisdom, guidance, encouragement, and inspiration on Alas for those who never sing, but die with their the road to a meaningful life. music within them. -Oliver Wendell Holmes

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ST STEPHEN PARISH 2017-2018 PASTORAL STAFF ORGANIZATION/MINISTRY CONTACT PERSON

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

Rev. Mr. Olet Abad • Faith Formation Mary Molly Mullaney Rev. Mr. Rory Desmond • Fifty Plus Club Helga D’Arcy Permanent Deacons • Finance Council Laura Birsinger Mary Molly Mullaney • Grief Support Clergy Faith Formation Coordinator, ext. 4 • [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 Coordinator of Music & Liturgy, 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]

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

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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 • Holy Communion Ministers to the Homebound • Altar Society • Lector/Holy Communion Ministers • Children’s Liturgy of the Word Choir • Music/Choir • Greeter/Usher • Hospitality after Mass/Special Events Please send me Sunday Envelopes (encircle): Yes No (Default is to send weekly Sunday envelopes to New Parishioners)