Established 1951

St. Veronica Church

Fax: 650-588-1481 Phone: 650-588-1455 www.stveronicassf.com

434 Alida Way South San Francisco, CA 94080

A Stewardship Parish - Grateful Living through Faith, Fellowship, Service, & Giving

September 9, 2018

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Praise the Lord, my soul!” - Psalm 146

Parish Office email: churchoffice@stveronicassf.com

St. Veronica Parish Parish Office Hours

Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed for lunch from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (unless otherwise posted)

Phone: 650-588-1455 Fax: 650-588-1481

Parish Staff

Fr. Charles Puthota, Ph.D., Pastor

Fr. Don Sharp, S.J., Weekend Assistant

Deacon Roger Beaudry

Mary Martin, Administrative Assistant, Ext.301 Silvia Reyes, Bookkeeper, Ext.304 Karen Guglielmoni, Faith Formation & Wedding Coordinator, Ext.305

Christopher Lindstrom, Music Director, Ext. 308

Jim Rodriguez, Custodian/Maintenance

St. Veronica Catholic School www.saintveronicassf.org

Phone: 650-589-3909

Mrs. Mary Boland Mrs. Pam Cavagnaro Principal Vice Principal

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are to be arranged through the Parish Office.

Baptisms in English are typically held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month.

Baptisms in Spanish are typically held on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Baptismal Preparation classes are held once a month. Call the Parish Office at 650-588-1455

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Call the Parish Office to register 650-588-1455 Ext.309

Faith Formation: 650-588-1455 Ext. 305 Catechetical instructions (1st to 8th grades)

Confirmation Classes: 650-588-1455

Mass Intentions for the Week of September 9, 2018

Sun 09/09 7:00 † John & Mary Ghiorso 8:30 Catie Mullins 10:00 † Carolyn Damonte 11:30 Veronica Mullins 6:00 Laura & Jose Gonzales

Mon 09/10 8:30 † Aida Apostol † Berenice Velarde

Tue 09/11 8:30 † Nelson Deloria † Valerie Terra Nova

Wed 09/12 8:30 † Bob Cauterucio † Henry Risso

Thu 09/13 8:30 † Francisco Espano Carissa Santos Vistan

Fri 09/14 8:30 † Gordon O’Keefe Christina Sierra

Sat 09/15 8:30 † Artenio Lao † Anna Venturini 5:00 † Margarita Ancanan

Sun 09/16 7:00 † Elsie Trollman 8:30 † Agostino & Eni Mariotti 10:00 † Adolfo Deinla 11:30 † Margarita Baluyot 6:00 † Diego Galindo

St. Veronica Parish Mission Statement

St. Veronica Church is a multicultural community of believers who treasure Jesus Christ at the center of their profes-sion of faith & practice. They worship & work together to build up a community of family & friends according to the mind & heart of Christ. Out of the abundance of joy & gratitude, they live & share the good news of faith & hope, striving to stand up for peace & justice, to spread love & compassion, to care for those who are in need, and to make our nation & the world a better place for all.

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: ______________________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________

Primary language spoken at home: ________________

Updating Current Parish Registration

Moving / Please remove from mailing list.

___This is a new registration Please call me.

Mass Schedule

Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Sundays: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.

Spanish Mass: Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Holy Days: 6:30, 8:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. (English)

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. First Fridays: 6:30 a.m. & 8:30 a.m.

Confessions Saturdays: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Liturgy of the Hours Monday - Friday: Morning Prayer at 6:00 a.m.

Eucharistic Adoration 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

except as posted for holidays and parish events

On the Horizon Parish Center repair work continues through

September: Floor replacement in the Parish Center; hospitality will be in Falcon Hall (the cafeteria) - see page 5 for an update

Sun., Sept. 9: Fall sports Mass, 10:00 a.m. Sun., Sept. 16: Catechetical Sunday Mass and

commissioning of the catechists and teachers, 10:00 a.m.

Sat.-Sun., Sept. 22-23: Annual Spanish retreat in Church, Falcon Hall

Sun., Oct. 7: Grade 4 class Mass, 10:00 a.m. Mon, Oct. 8: Columbus Day holiday - Parish

Office closed; no Eucharistic Adoration Fri.-Sun., Sept. 28-30: Annual Parish Festival Sat., Oct. 27: Annual Santini Gold Tournament

and Dinner

Thank you for your generosity in support of St. Veronica Parish and its works.

Saturday 09/01/18 5:00PM 1603.00 298.00 1901.00

Sunday 09/02/18 7:00AM 1089.00 330.00 1419.00

8:30AM 1329.00 244.00 1573.00

10:00AM 1698.00 300.00 1998.00

11:30AM 910.00 176.00 1086.00

6:00PM 287.00 130.00 417.00

TOTAL IN-PEW DONATIONS: $6,916.00 $1,478.00 $8,394.00

Other Contributions 157.00 n/a 157.00

Day Mass Time 1st Collection Maintenance Totals

Envelopes received in the First Collection:

August 18 & 19: 331 August 25 & 26: 304 September 01& 02: 307

If you currently receive envelopes but do not use them, please prayerfully consider including your donation in the col-lection basket.

Welcome New Parishioners! Our parish continues to be blessed and enriched by the presence of newly registered parishioners:

Amparo Gomez

Christopher L. Ong

May St. Veronica Church become a spiritual home where your faith and fellowship may be nourished with inspiration for you to live a life of service and generosity toward God and others.

Rejoice and Be Glad - “Gaudete et Exsultate” The Call to Holiness in Today’s World

On March 19, 2018, the feast of St. Joseph, Pope Francis signed the apostolic exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate”. The pope re-minds us, “We need to recognize and combat our aggressive and selfish inclinations, and not let them take root” (no. 114). The five chapters of Pope Francis’ exhortation will be presented in their entirety.

CHAPTER THREE (cont’d):

THE GREAT CRITERION 95. In the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel (vv. 31-46), Jesus expands on the Beatitude that calls the merciful blessed. If we seek the holiness pleasing to God’s eyes, this text offers us one clear criterion on which we will be judged. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (vv. 35-36).

In fidelity to the Master 96. Holiness, then, is not about swooning in mystic rapture. As Saint John Paul II said: “If we truly start out anew from the con-templation of Christ, we must learn to see him especially in the faces of those with whom he himself wished to be identified”. The text of Matthew 25:35-36 is “not a simple invitation to chari-ty: it is a page of Christology which sheds a ray of light on the mystery of Christ”. In this call to recognize him in the poor and the suffering, we see revealed the very heart of Christ, his deep-est feelings and choices, which every saint seeks to imitate. 97. Given these uncompromising demands of Jesus, it is my duty to ask Christians to acknowledge and accept them in a spirit of genuine openness, sine glossa. In other words, without any “ifs or buts” that could lessen their force. Our Lord made it very clear that holiness cannot be understood or lived apart from these de-mands, for mercy is “the beating heart of the Gospel”. 98. If I encounter a person sleeping outdoors on a cold night, I can view him or her as an annoyance, an idler, an obstacle in my path, a troubling sight, a problem for politicians to sort out, or even a piece of refuse cluttering a public space. Or I can respond with faith and charity, and see in this person a human being with a dignity identical to my own, a creature infinitely loved by the Father, an image of God, a brother or sister redeemed by Jesus Christ. That is what it is to be a Christian! Can holiness somehow be understood apart from this lively recognition of the dignity of each human being? 99. For Christians, this involves a constant and healthy unease. Even if helping one person alone could justify all our efforts, it would not be enough. The bishops of Canada made this clear when they noted, for example, that the biblical understanding of the jubilee year was about more than simply performing certain good works. It also meant seeking social change: “For later gen-erations to also be released, clearly the goal had to be the restora-tion of just social and economic systems, so there could no long-er be exclusion”. Ideologies striking at the heart of the Gospel 100. I regret that ideologies lead us at times to two harmful er-rors. On the one hand, there is the error of those Christians who

separate these Gospel demands from their personal relationship with the Lord, from their interior union with him, from openness to his grace. Christianity thus becomes a sort of NGO stripped of the luminous mysticism so evident in the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and many others. For these great saints, mental prayer, the love of God and the reading of the Gospel in no way detracted from their passion-ate and effective commitment to their neighbours; quite the op-posite. 101. The other harmful ideological error is found in those who find suspect the social engagement of others, seeing it as superfi-cial, worldly, secular, materialist, communist or populist. Or they relativize it, as if there are other more important matters, or the only thing that counts is one particular ethical issue or cause that they themselves defend. Our defence of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate, for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred and demands love for each person, regardless of his or her stage of develop-ment. Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivi-leged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert eutha-nasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection. We cannot uphold an ideal of holi-ness that would ignore injustice in a world where some revel, spend with abandon and live only for the latest consumer goods, even as others look on from afar, living their entire lives in abject poverty. 102. We often hear it said that, with respect to relativism and the flaws of our present world, the situation of migrants, for exam-ple, is a lesser issue. Some Catholics consider it a secondary is-sue compared to the “grave” bioethical questions. That a politi-cian looking for votes might say such a thing is understandable, but not a Christian, for whom the only proper attitude is to stand in the shoes of those brothers and sisters of ours who risk their lives to offer a future to their children. Can we not realize that this is exactly what Jesus demands of us, when he tells us that in welcoming the stranger we welcome him (cf. Mt 25:35)? Saint Benedict did so readily, and though it might have “complicated” the life of his monks, he ordered that all guests who knocked at the monastery door be welcomed “like Christ”,[85] with a ges-ture of veneration; the poor and pilgrims were to be met with “the greatest care and solicitude”. 103. A similar approach is found in the Old Testament: “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you yourselves were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Ex 22:21). “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Lev 19:33-34). This is not a no-tion invented by some Pope, or a momentary fad. In today’s world too, we are called to follow the path of spiritual wisdom proposed by the prophet Isaiah to show what is pleasing to God. “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn” (58:7-8).

(We conclude Chapter 3 next week . . .)

Parish Center Repair (PCR) Update Repair work to remove and replace the hardwood floor in the Parish Center is on-going, and is now expected to continue well into September.

Since removing the old floor and levelling com-pound down to the original concrete slab, the new hardwood floor has arrived. Test results on core samples taken from the floor have come in and a plan of action has been devised. In consultation with the Archdiocese Real Property division, bids are being accepted for the part of the project which will protect the new wood floor from moisture com-ing up through the concrete slab.

Some of the additional work around the perimeter of the building has taken place. The sewer system of the entire campus has been inspected and flushed. Still to occur is the removal of two redwood trees which are too close to the Parish Center, and the digging of holes to test the amount of groundwater.

Watch the bulletin for additional updates as they become available and kindly keep the PCR project in your prayers. Meanwhile, hospitality will contin-ue in Falcon Hall (the school cafeteria).

Upcoming events offered by the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Sat., Sept. 15, 8:00 a.m.: Hispanic Day in San Francisco, starting with a procession from Cesar Chavez and South Van Ness, to Saint Mary’s Cathe-dral. Mass at 9:30 a.m. with Archbishop Cordileone.

Sat., Sept. 22, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Catholic Charismatic Renewal Annual Conference, St. Mary’s Cathedral

Thurs., Sept. 27, 5:30 p.m.: “Red Mass” for the Legal Profession, celebrated by Archbishop Cordile-one at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert St., SF

Fri., Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m.: Annual St. John Vianney Luncheon benefitting the Priests Retirement Fund. For additional information, visit www.sfarch.org

Adult and Youth Faith Formation Registration Closing Soon

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initia-tion of Adults) program is now accepting registration for 2018-19. Those 16 years of age or older who would like to become Catholic

(having never been baptized) or who would like to com-plete the Sacraments of Initiation (having been baptized into a Christian faith, but not received Communion and/or been confirmed) are invited to call the Pastoral Center offices at 650-588-1455 and leave their contact infor-mation. A member of the RCIA team will follow up with details about the program, which will begin Sun., Oct. 7.

New and continuing registration is being accepted for the 2018-19 Faith Formation program through September 30. Regis-tration forms are on the parish

website under the “Faith Formation” tab, or may be re-quested by calling the Faith Formation office at 650-588-1455 ext. 305. Even if your child will be a returning stu-dent, a 2018-19 registration form is required. Forms are available in Spanish at the parish office.

Please register your child/children as soon as possible as class sizes are limited. Classes have begun for the year.

A reminder that preparation for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation are each two-year programs, beginning no earlier than first grade for Com-munion and no earlier than 8th grade for Confirmation. Special Needs Faith Formation Program: “Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of God.” - Mark 10:14. Implicit in Jesus’ words is his welcome to all children. We are all children of God; God wel-comes us all.

Every child may receive the sacra-ments of Holy Eucharist and Confir-mation. At St. Veronica, we are blessed to offer classes for students with special needs. The children usually begin preparation for Holy Eucharist at age 6 or 7, but there is no upper age limit. Confirmation preparation usually begins around age 12. Preparation for each sacra-ment is two years.

If you have a child with special needs who has not re-ceived his or her sacraments, please contact the Parish Office. And please pass along our information to others who may be interested in the program!

Classes begin on Sat., Sept. 22, from 10:30-11:45 a.m. We would love to work with your child on his or her faith journey!

It is with great joy that we welcome into our church and community the following

child who received the Sacrament of Baptism at our Church

on September 1, 2018

Jacob Aries Primm

Reflecting on the Word Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time How are ears opened and mouths freed? A woman who was deaf once worked at my local post office. At her window was a sign that invited cus-tomers to speak so she could read our lips. There was also a notepad, in case we needed to write to communicate. I know very little sign language, but I could sign “Thank you.” Her face lit up when I did and she taught me the sign for “You’re welcome.” Her ears were opened. I learned to speak. At a recent “Pizza and Ponder” event, our cam-pus community watched a movie about immigration and discussed our reactions over pizza. The im-portance of meeting people and hearing their stories to open eyes and ears was discussed. We noted that often it is personal connection that makes a differ-ence in what and how we hear, and what and for whom we speak. Our ears are opened by that human “touch.” We explored how to speak to quench fear and embolden strength, and to see all people as brothers and sisters and children of God. St. James’ letter is needed as much today as it was at his writing: “show no partiality as you ad-here to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (2:1). Jesus made clear God’s desire to heal, free, and reconcile all creation. Sign language, open dialogue, hearing our brothers and sisters, and voic-ing our own fears and concerns can touch human ears, free tongues, and open hearts as surely as did spit and Jesus’ command, “Ephphatha! - Be opened.” Then our ears are opened and our mouths freed, which is what we ask at baptism: “May [the Lord] soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.” (Rite of Baptism for Chil-dren, #65).

For Prayerful Consideration & Discussion What experiences have opened your ears to hear

God’s voice in new ways? How has your tongue been freed to proclaim

your faith to God’s glory and praise?

Living and Praying with the Word Healing God, you choose the poverty of our lives to make us rich in faith and courage. Touch us. Open our ears to the voices of all our sisters and brothers. Free our mouths to speak words that invite freedom, justice, and healing, as did your Son, Jesus Christ. - Living the Word

Baptism Information

Registration forms are available from the Pastoral Center during regular office hours,

or you may download a form from our website at www.stveronicassf.com.

Baptisms are generally celebrated monthly on the 1st and 3rd Saturday in English

and on occasional 2nd Saturdays in Spanish. Please call the Parish Office to sign up.

Upcoming baptism dates are as follows: September 15

October 6 (1 spot left) & 20 (full) November 3 & 17

Preparation classes for parents and godparents are held on the second Tuesday of the month.

Classes are conducted in the Pastoral Center from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. (Adults only please).

Please call the Parish Office at 650-588-1455 for specific dates and to reserve your space for the

Baptismal Preparation Classes.

From the Pastor’s Desk St. Veronica Parish

Annual Report 7-1-2017 to 6-30-2018

Parish Income Sunday Collec ons $368,110

Maintenance Collec ons $43,166 Christmas Collec ons $26,185 Easter Collec ons $23,645 All Other Collec ons $51,092 **1

Total Collec ons $512,198 Sacramental Offerings $17,725 **2

Development & Fundraisers $21,282 Gi s, Dona ons & Grants $73,534 Other Opera ng Income $54,404 **3

Non Opera ng Income $11,689 Total Annual Parish Income $690,832

Parish Expenses

Personnel Costs $449,992 Property Expenses $52,852 **4

U li es $42,498 Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment $4,831 General & Administra on Expenses $42,044 **5

Worship Supplies $21,665 Other Opera ng Expenses $45,959 **6

Other Expenses $10,326 Total Parish Expenses $670,167

Excess Funds $20,665

Financial Notes

(1) All Other Collec ons $51,092 Other Holy Days $17,109

Daily Masses $6,025

Annual Appeal Refund $14,266

Special Masses $2,154

Music Ministry $4,483

Church Environment $7,055

(2) Sacramental Offerings $17,725 Bap sms $3,745

Marriages/Quinceaneras $3,245

Funerals $9,565

Other Sacramental Offerings $1,170

(3) Other Opera ng Income $54,402 Simbang Gabi $8,660

Confirma on $8,675

RCIA $150

Faith Forma on $14,779

Vo ve Candles $8,662

Facility Rental Income $750

Archdiocese Payroll $12,726

(4) Property Expenses $54,852 Janitorial $8,078

Landscape $9,256

Maintenance & Repair $33,326

Property Taxes $2,192

(5) General & Admin Expenses $42,044 Postage, Prin ng & Duplica ng $4,038

Outside Accoun ng Services $1,676

Payroll Processing $817

Subscrip ons & Periodicals $3,261

Supplies $22,987

Interest Expense $8,477

Bank Charges $788

(6) Other Opera ng Expenses $45,959 Dues $8,427

Educa on & Seminars $2,572

Insurance Premiums $24,221

Laundry & Dry Cleaning $172

Vo ve Candles $1,115

Entertainment & Apprecia on $7,632

Event & Ac vi es $160

A er Mass Hospitality $5,698

Adver sing $660

Archdiocese Personnel Refund $-9,090

We are the church together! Thank you for your past, present and future commitment

to St. Veronica Parish.

Questions or comments about the annual report may be directed to Finance Committee Chairperson Ron Derenzi

at 650-737-9484.