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 4:30p.m. Sunday Mass 8:00 & 9:30a.m.

PRAYER FOR LENT

Lord, Holy Father, show us what kind of man it is who is hanging for our sakes on the cross, whose suffering causes the rocks themselves to crack and crumble with compassion, whose death brings the dead back to life.

Let my heart crack and crumble at the sight of him.

Let my soul break apart with compassion for his suffering.

Let it be shattered with grief at my sins for which he dies.

And finally let it be softened with devoted love for him.

Amen. (St. October Bonaventure) 4, 2020

Our Mission Statement We are a Catholic Community that is called by God to follow . 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 mes- sage through preaching, through the educaƟon and formaƟon of our people, young and old, and through caring service and sensiƟve outreach to those in need. Rev. Tony P. LaTorre, Pastor

Palm (Passion) Sunday This year, as we enter our holiest week, we read the account of from the of Mark. In a few days, on , we will read the account from John. Among all the cruel and violent persons we hear about in Christ’s suffering last hours, perhaps it is easy to overlook those who were kind. At Bethany, offers him hospitality, and a (nameless to us) wom- an with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil anoints Jesus. Since Jesus will soon be execut- ed as a criminal, with the possibility of no Jewish funeral rite or burial place, this was a tender moment of deep meaning. She put herself in danger to honor him and his sacrifice. In there was Simon of Cyrene who helped carry his cross, and who courageously asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and laid him in a new tomb. All of these people, and perhaps more whom we do not know, were glimpses of light in a day of darkness. They were peace amidst the conflict; joy amidst the sorrow; celebration in the midst of tragedy. In other words, they are a sort of allegory to the hope of Easter that was present on Good Friday. So why talk about this contrast, this dichotomy, today on Palm Sunday? Because this day itself is one of contrasts. Our liturgy, and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, began with palm branches and songs of joy and praise for Jesus as King. He is welcomed into the city with shouts of Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! He will soon leave the city walls as the lowest of the low: a scourged, half-dead wreck of a man; a criminal set to be executed. In our Mass today, we will re-present his sacrifice, uniting our sins to those of the whole world and uniting our suffering to his. And in the midst of all the horror, we will celebrate, for Christ will triumph over all of sin and death. There is a catchy little phrase that we might hear spoken of by Catholics – “we are not an either/or peo- ple, we are a both/and people.” It generally means that we have the critical reasoning capacity, and the faith, to hold two things in tension without being confused. So, for example, Christ is both divine and human; the king- dom of God is both present and not yet fully realized; the Eucharist is both the appearance of bread and wine and truly Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity. And specific to our worship today, we are both an Easter people and we live in a Good Friday world. That is to say, we believe that Christ’s death on the cross transformed all suffering and that by his resurrection, we have of eternal life. But we live in the here and now, with all the suffering and evil still present in the world – a world in which we are called to be active witnesses to our faith. Every moment of our lives gives us a chance to be one or other of the type of persons we encountered in the passion narratives. With God’s help, may we be like Simon and the woman at Bethany, Simon of Cyrene, and Joseph of Arimathea – signs of hope in a world that cries out for it. Blessings to you as we get ever closer to the celebration of our salvation. Father Tony LaTorre Liturgy and Life • What do you need to be emptied of so that you may more closely follow Christ? • Where will you place your palms in your home so that they may inspire your prayer throughout the year? • How can you make time for prayer throughout the Triduum?

NEED A PRIESTLY VISIT? Please know that if you are homebound, sick, aging, preparing for a surgical procedure, recovering from a sur- gical procedure. Or find yourself in the hospital unexpectedly – your pastor is most happy to visit you with Holy Communion and Anointing of the Sick. One does NOT have to be in a state of “end-of-life” for the anointing. It can be administered to any one, at any time one feels physically or emotionally “low” in life. Please call the office if we can help. We have been finding out about “sick” parishioners “when it is too late.” Please give us a call – we are here for you! Holy Thursday GOOD FRIDAY April 1 April 2

On Holy Thursday There were three we celebrate three anni- crosses on Golgotha. On versaries: 1) the anniver- the right and on the left sary of the first Holy were two robbers being Mass, 2) the anniversary crucified for rebellion of the institution of min- and murder. On the cen- isterial priesthood in or- tral cross, Jesus died for der to perpetuate the Ho- our sin. On one side of ly Mass, convey God’s Jesus hung a criminal who taunted Jesus in disbelief; he forgiveness to repentant sinners and preach the Good died in sin. On the other side of Jesus, however, hung a News of Salvation, and 3) the anniversary of Jesus’ criminal who believed in Jesus. He scolded the mocker promulgation of His of love: “Love and begged, “Jesus, remember me when You come into one another as I have loved you.” Today we remember Your Kingdom.” He died to sin and, Jesus promised how Jesus transformed the Jewish Passover into the New would be with him in Paradise that very day. On the cen- Testament Passover. The Jewish Passover was, in fact, a tral cross (with its mocking title, “Jesus the Nazarene joint celebration of two ancient thanksgiving celebra- king of the Jews,” in three languages) hung a sinless Suf- tions. The descendants of Abel, who were shepherds, ferer! He was dying for the sins of the world. Hanging used to lead their sheep from the winter pastures to the on that cross, Jesus spoke seven times during the closing summer pastures after the sacrificial offering of a lamb moments of his earthly life. It has been an age-old prac- to God. They called this celebration the “Pass tice in the Church to reflect on these last words of Jesus over." The farming descendants of Cain, however, from the cross as an integral part of Good Friday ob- held a harvest festival called the Massoth in which they servance so that we may repent of our sins and resolve to offered unleavened bread to God as an act of thanksgiv- renew our lives and thus participate fully in the joy of ing. The Passover feast of the Israelites (Exodus 12:26- Jesus' Resurrection. 37), was a harmonious combination of these two ancient The word of Forgiveness: “Then said Jesus, ‘Father, feasts of thanksgiving, commanded by the Lord God and forgive them, for they know not what they do’" (Luke 23:34). celebrated yearly by all Israelites to thank God for the miraculous liberation of their ancestors from The word of Assurance: “Then [the criminal who had slavery, their exodus from Egypt and final arrival in the scolded his fellow criminal for mocking Jesus] said, Promised Land. ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your king- dom.’ He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you A challenge for will be with me in Paradise.’ (Luke 23:42-43). humble service. Our The word of Comfort: “When Jesus saw his mother celebration of the Eucha- and the there whom he loved, he said to his rist requires that we mother, ‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then he said to the wash one another’s feet, disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the That is, serve one anoth- disciple took her into his home” (:26-27). er, and revere Christ's The word of Desolation: “From noon onward, darkness presence in other per- came over the whole land until three in the after- sons. In practical terms, noon. And at about three o'clock Jesus cried out in a that means we are to loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, consider their needs to be as important as our own and to ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken serve their needs, without expecting any reward. 2) A me?’” (:45-46). loving invitation for sacrificial sharing and self-giving love. Let us imitate the self-giving model of Jesus who The word of Suffering: "After this, Jesus knowing that shares with us his own body and blood and who enriches all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture us with his Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. It is by might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst’" (John 19:28). "Zhena" - sharing our blessings – our talents, time, health and "I thirst," the fifth word of Jesus from the cross, is the wealth - with others that we become true disciples of shortest of the seven, reminding us of Psalm 22:15: "My Christ and obey Jesus’ new commandment: “Love one throat is as dry as dust, and my tongue sticks to the roof another as I have loved you.” 3) An invitation to be- of my mouth." come Christ-bearers and Christ-conveyers: "Go forth, The word of Triumph: "When Jesus therefore had re- the Mass is ended," really means, “Go in peace to love ceived the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished’" (John 19:30). and serve one another.’’ We are to carry Jesus to our The word of Committal: "Jesus cried out in a loud homes and places of work, conveying to others around voice, 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit'; us the love, mercy, forgiveness and spirit of humble ser- and when he had said this he breathed his last." (Luke vice of Christ whom we carry with us. 23:46). Holy Week Schedule March 28 - April 4

Monday, Mar 29 8:00 a.m. † Justa de Jesus (By: Maria Barzoloski) Palm Sunday

Tuesday, Mar 30 Saturday Vigil, March 27 4:30 p.m. Mass, Blessing and Distribution of Palms 8:00 a.m. † Cathy Collins Saturday Confessions 3:30 to 4:00 (By: Fr. Tony)

Wednesday, Mar 31 Sunday, March 28 8:00 and 9:30 a.m.* Blessing and Distribution of Palms at both Masses 8:00 a.m. Mary Molly Mullaney Sp. Int. (By: Parish Staff) Holy Thursday, April 1 Thursday, Apr 1 Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:30 p.m.* 8:00 a.m. St. Stephen Parishioners Sp. Int. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 10:00 p.m. (By: Fr. Tony)

Friday, Apr 2 Good Friday Good Friday, April 2

Saturday, Apr 3 Holy Saturday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 1:30 p.m.* 8:00 p.m †Antonio Roque Veneration of the Cross Holy Communion . By: Ruby Roque) 12 noon Sunday, Apr 4 Easter Sunday 8:00 a.m. Kathy Jison Sp. Int. Easter Vigil, April 3 (By: Parish Staff) The Easter Vigil of the Holy Night 8:00 p.m.* 9:30 a.m. St. Stephen Parishioners Sp. Int. (By: Fr. Tony) Easter Sunday, April 4 Easter Sunday Masses 8:00 and 9:30 a.m.* TODAY’S READINGS * LIVESTREAM on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram Gospel at the Procession with Palms — Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (:1-10 or :12-16). First Reading — In spite of my sufferings not dis- DAILY MASS ON graced. I am not put to shame (Isaiah 50:4-7). LIVESTREAM !!! Psalm — My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22). at 8:00 a.m. on Facebook , Second Reading — Christ emptied himself, and God YouTube & Instagram! filled this emptiness with exaltation (Philippians 2:6-11). Or go to ww.SaintStephenSF.org Gospel — The account of Christ’s passion according to to attend our daily Mass! Mark (:1 — 15:47 [15:1-39]). LENTEN DEVOTIONS

Join us walk our journey of lease pray for the sick and homebound of our faith through the following; community and for all those written in our book of • Daily recitation of the ro- the sick. May they know the healing touch of Jesus. sary after the 8:00 daily Mass; Cecille Quintanilla, Inger Man, Franz Tittiger, Boboy Balce, Caroline Zidek, • Adoration and Benediction every Agudo, Isabela Vicente, Marino Tulao, Robert Liam, Zaida Ysip, Thursdays, after the 8:00 Mass Leanna Mossi, Elena Amaya, Eden Finn, Edileide Jose Barbosa, Kenneth Fambrini, • Lenten Reflections with Stations of the Larry Barbiere, Carol Dominguez, Marc Gutierres, Kevin King, Marla Moso, Joel Rivera, Cross every Friday during Lent at Gwendolyn Walsh, Jovita & Richard Thompson. Please call the office to add or remove names 5:00 p.m. St. Stephen Church Palm Sunday Examination

On Palm Sunday, we need to ask ourselves the following six questions, and examine our conscience: 1) Does Jesus weep over me? There is a Jewish saying, “Heaven rejoices over a repentant sinner and sheds tears over a non-repentant, hardhearted one." Are we ready to imitate the prodigal son and re- turn to God, our loving Father, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this last week of Lent and participate fully in the joy of Christ’s Resurrection? 2) Am I a barren fig tree? God expects me to produce fruits of holiness, purity, justice, humility, obedience, charity, and forgiveness. Do I?? Or, worse, do I continue to produce bitter fruits of impu- rity, injustice, pride, hatred, jealousy, and selfishness? 3) Will Jesus need to cleanse my heart with His whip? Jesus cannot tolerate the desecration of the temple of the Holy Spirit that I have become by my addiction to uncharitable, unjust and impure thoughts words and deeds; nor does Jesus praise my business mentality or calculation of loss and gain in my relationship with God, my Heavenly Father. 4) Do I welcome Jesus into my heart? Am I ready to surrender my life to Him during this Holy Week and welcome Him into all areas of my life as my Lord and Savior, singing “Hosanna”? Today, we receive palm branches at the Divine Liturgy. Let us take them to our homes and put them in a place where we can always see them. Let the palms remind us that Christ is the King of our families, that Christ is the King of our hearts, and that Christ is the only true answer to our quest for happiness and meaning in our lives. And if we do proclaim Christ as our King, let us try to make time for Him in our daily life; let us be reminded that He is the One with Whom we will be spending eternity. Let us be reminded fur- ther that our careers, our education, our finances, our homes, all of the basic material needs in our lives are only tempo- rary. Let us prioritize and place Christ the King as the primary concern in our lives. It is only when we have done this that we will find true peace and happiness in our confused and complex world. 5) Are we ready to become like the humble donkey that carried Jesus? As we "carry Jesus" to the world, we may receive the same welcome that Jesus received on Palm Sunday, but we may also meet the same opposition, crosses, and trials later. Like the donkey, we are called upon to carry Christ to a world that does not know Him. Let us always re- member that a Christian without Christ is a contradiction in terms. Such a one betrays the Christian message. Hence, let us become transparent Christians during this Holy Week, enabling others to see in us Jesus’ universal love, unconditional forgiveness, and sacrificial service. 6) Can we face these questions on Palm Sunday? Are we willing to follow Jesus, not just to Church but in our daily life? Are we willing to entrust ourselves to Him even when the future is frightening or confusing, believing God has a plan? Are we willing to serve Him until that day when His plan for us on earth is fulfilled? These are the questions of Palm Sunday. Let us take a fresh look at this familiar event. It could change us forever, because the shows us that, though we are sinners who have crucified Jesus, we are able, by His gift, to turn back to Jesus again and ask for his mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is through the Passion of Jesus we receive forgiveness: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Is 53:5)

Ways and Means to Help and Palm Sunday of the Support Our Church Passion of the Lord

As we go our daily life within the state and city-wide mandate of “Stay-at-Home” March 28, 2021 for the next few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please remember that we [Christ Jesus] humbled continue to look forward to your regular weekly donations to sustain our church’s himself, becoming obedi- basic operation needs. You may continue to do so through the following via your ent to the point of death, weekly envelope which can either be: even death on a cross. a. Mailed to the Parish Office; — Philippians 2:8 b. Dropped off at our parish office/mailbox slot. 2) If at this time, you are strictly confined in your home, please consider setting up St Stephen Church provides Online Giving -- an online account through the parish website: www.saintstephensf.org by: a convenient and safe way to make a one- a. Click the $ Giving button, then the Donation link time or recurring dona- b. Follow instructions to set up your account online tion. Getting started is 3) If neither of the above works for you, please give us a call at the office, 415 681 easy. Visit www.s aintste- -2444. phensf.org, click on Donation 4) and we will gladly pick up your donation envelope for the parish or help you set up your online donation. link. . When you participate, For more information, please give us a call at 415-681-2444. between 9am to 3pm your gift will be securely Mondays thru Fridays or check our website www.saintstephensf.org transferred directly into the parish. OUR PALM SUNDAY “HUMOR” Archdiocesan Annual Appeal

A little girl came home from worship. It was Palm Sunday. Her father asked what she had With the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in progress, we learned that day. She told him she learned all ask you to continue to pray over what you can do to con- about the crowd waving their palm branches tribute to this project. Remember, we don’t ask you to and singing a song to Jesus. The father was give more than your means, but we do ask each house- pleased that she had learned so much. He asked, “What hold to participate. If you have not yet had the oppor- was the song they were singing to Jesus?” The little girl tunity to make a pledge or give a contribution to the Ap- paused, then said, “I think it was O .” peal, please take time to do so this week. We invite eve- ryone to share a portion of God’s blessings with others * * * * * * by supporting the Annual Appeal. No gift is too small Little Johnny was sick on Palm Sunday and stayed home (or too big). Please give from the heart. We hope for 100 from Church with his mother. His father returned from percent participation of our parish this year. If you did Church holding a palm branch. The little boy was curi- not receive the “giving” brochure in the mail, they are ous and asked why. His father explained, "You see, available on the tables in the vestibule or on the tables in when Jesus came into town, everyone waved palm the aisles of the church or you may call the parish office branches to honor him; so we got palm branches today." and one will be mailed to you). Thank you for your sup- "Aw, shucks,” grumbled Little Johnny. "The one Sun- port of our archdiocesan ministries and services. (Fr. day I can't go to Church, and Jesus shows up!" Tony). * * * * * * * * * Campaign Goal: $ 95,063.00 An Episcopal priest was preaching in an unfamiliar church on Palm Sunday. As he stood in the pulpit to Total Amount Recd: $ 6,435.00 begin the service, he tapped the microphone to make (28 Households) sure that it was on. He heard nothing, even though the Campaign Balance: $ 88,628.00 microphone was working fine. So, he leaned closer to the microphone and said to himself; "There is something Our thanks to those households who have already wrong with this thing." The congregation, being well- made their pledge/donation to the Appeal. (Please note trained church people immediately responded, "And also that the donor list from the Archdiocese is usually a with you.” week to ten days after receiving the donation).

St. Stephen Women’s Guild Proudly Presents Ms. Phyllis Abad Queen For A Day, M/M David Alcock-McAtamney M/M Dale Allen Jr. Ms Constance E. Benas Afternoon Tea At Home and Virtual Fashion Mrs. Nancy Buckley Show on Friday, April 16th at 2pm. Mr. Frank Cassinelli Virtual tea box service is provided by Love Joy Tea M/M Joseph D’Aura Room. We invite the Parish to join! While we cannot M/M Mark Dickson have the runway show at the Olympic Club, we can en- M/M Primo Fernandez joy a virtual party with lovely tea sandwiches, scone Ms. Sisinia Gong with cream and preserve, petit four, fresh fruit, and Ms. Diane Gragnani tea! M/M Roberto Guzman • Purchase Raffle Tickets & Tea Boxes at: M/M Sean Harrington http://www.sswgqueenforaday.com. M.M Brian Holl M/M Brian Jarnutowski • Drive-through, pick-up boxes pn April 16, M/M Leo La Rocca 12:15p.m. in the Parish Parking Lot. • Rev Anthony LaTorre Questions? email [email protected] Mr. Paul Laveroni Mr. Honrado Lopez "Spring Giving Tree" Ms. Lori Mazzola Mr. Daniel McGarry & Collecting Donations of: Ms. Courtney Cassinelli Due before April 25 at 5:00 pm (for the May packet): Ms. Noemi Mendoza Cloth Face Masks (hand sewn or purchased) Mrs. Gayle Montalbano Due before May 25 at 5:00 pm (for the June packet): M/M Thomas M. Perlite Adult Coloring Books, or Puzzle Books M/M John Ritchie Colored Pencils or thin Markers Mr. Kevin Sequeira www.healingwellsf.org M/M Matthew Stecher Contact Mary Molly in the parish office with questions. M/M Reynaldo Ysip

PASTORAL STAFF ST STEPHEN PARISH 2020-2021 Rev. Tony P. LaTorre Pastor, ext.1 ORGANIZATION/MINISTRY CONTACT PERSON [email protected] • Altar Servers Giovanna Hrvatin Mrs. Sharon McCarthy Allen School Principal • Altar Society Joan Leehane

Carol P Cagalingan • Bridge Group Helen Perlite Parish Manager, ext. 3 • Caritas Nellie Hizon [email protected] • Church Hospitality Mary Molly Mullaney Rev. Mr. Olet Abad • Communion Ministers Mary Molly Mullaney Permanent Deacon • Faith Formation Mary Molly Mullaney Mary Molly Mullaney • Faith Formation Coordinator, ext. 4 Fifty Plus Club Helga D’Arcy [email protected] • Finance Council Laura Birsinger

Shay Ingelfinger • Grief Support Clergy Event Center Coordinator, ext.7 • Lectors Mary Molly Mullaney [email protected] • Liturgy Committee Fr. Tony Rev. Tony P. LaTorre Liturgy Director (Temp). ext. 1 • Marriage Preparation Clergy [email protected] • Men’s Club Ryan Gille Teresa Devincenzi • Parish Council Vicky Francisco Bookkeeper, ext.5 [email protected] • RCIA Mary Molly Mullaney

Steven Angelucci • St. Stephen Book Club Mary Molly Mullaney Music/Choir Director, ext 8 • St. Vincent de Paul Julie O’Callaghan Ed Prete • Ushers Bob Anthony Bulletin Editor, ext. 6 [email protected] • Women’s Guild Courtney Cassinelli Millo Mau Pasquini Daniel Ho A. Haryasyah Sexton (Environment, Sound & Lighting)

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 415-681-2444 or at www.saintstephensf.org

Name ______Contact Phone ______

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Complete Mailing Address ______City/Zip ______Weekly Sunday envelopes , circle one: Yes No, but commit to participate thru Online Giving. I am interested in assisting the Parish in an organization or ministry as (Please encircle your choice/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 &/or Holy Com- munion Ministers, Parish Center Front Office Volunteer.