20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53. Jeremiah is imprisoned under the authority of King Zedekiah because the people are upset by his words. But a court official convinces the king to release him. The writer of Hebrews challenges the community to rid [themselves] of every burden of sin and to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples he has come not to establish peace but division.

 
Domenica 20^A Del Tempo Ordinario
 
Gesù precisa il modo di arricchirsi davanti a Dio: conservando i beni e le ricchezze accmulate non per se stessi, ma usandole per le necessità dei fratelli. E ciò riguarda tutti i talenti ricevuti do Dio, non solo le richezze materiali. “Pensate alle cose di lassù, non a quelle della terra” afferma San Paolo.


 常年期第二十主日

今天的福音乍聽起來使人驚異害怕，耶穌說：「我來是把火投到世上，我多麼希望它燃燒起來．」耶穌所說的「世上」，是指我們每個人的心。內心的平安，表示人和天主的關係是和諧的，也表示人順從天主的旨意。祂要把煉淨人心愛天主的火燄注入我們心中，因為克勝內心是最困難的事。祂希望我們奮鬥，攻擊自己的慾情、誘惑和罪惡，努力在自己的環境中做個聖人，因為祇要罪惡一日存在，那怕是存在個人心中、在家庭中、在社會中及國與國之間，就會產生不和諧、敵對和戰爭。人若能除去罪惡，以仁愛相待，就有和平出現。

聖保祿宗徒說得好：「我們既有如此眾多如雲的證人圍繞着我們，就該放下各樣重擔和纏人的罪過，堅忍地在我們面前的賽程上勇往直前、定睛注視耶穌，祂是我們信德的創始者和完成者。」
 
 
Dear Parishioners,

When I decided to join the Salesians 28 years ago, I asked my parents to allow me to quit my job and begin the Salesian formation. They responded “You are not going to join the Salesians. You stay home, study and work.” I told them, “I am old enough to make my own decision and so please let me try, if it does not work out, I will return.” They were not happy with my decision. However, they were pleased when I ordained.

To be a disciple of Jesus, there is a price that one has to pay. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51) It does not sound right hearing this message from Jesus. What Jesus tells us is that when we choose to follow Him, we have to leave (detach from) our family: father, mother, and siblings. To witness the Gospel, people have to face opposition from others and even to give up their lives. Recently, for some reason, Catholic priests in Mexico and Nigeria were killed while they were saying Mass or doing ministries for the people of God.

Today we hear about Prophet Jeremiah. Babylon had conquered Israel. The people of Judah wanted their king to fight against the Babylonians. Jeremiah told them to not rebel, since more people would end up dying. He called on the king and the soldiers to rely on God by prayer and repentance. The people did not want to listen to him and so they tried to kill him by tossing him in a dry cistern. Jeremiah was drowning in the mud and about to die. Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian court official, pulled him out of the cistern and saved his live. God saved his life as Jeremiah was in danger of death because he was speaking God’s message. As the responsorial psalm we recite today says, “Lord, come to my aid!” If we are being with God, God will help us when are in trouble.

To be faithful to God and practice our faith is challenging today. Especially, COVID 19 causes many people to quit practicing their faith due to sheltering in place and social distancing. Parents complained to me that their children are not going to Mass and stopped practicing their faith. Parents confront their children and it causes division and cold relationships in the family. I told the parents: keep going to church praying for them. Someday, God will change their hearts.

There is a price to be Jesus’ disciples. It may cause division and tension among us and others. It is not an easy decision, but we have to make a choice and act with
perseverance.

Have a blessed week!

–Fr. Tho Bui, SDB, Pastor
 
Mass Intentions For The Week 

Sunday                 August 14, 2022
8:45        Eddie Prudente, II & Edward Prudente, Sr. +
10:15     For the People of Saints Peter and Paul
12:00     Loriano & Anita Belluomini +

5:00        Steve & Lena Cuneo + 
Monday               August 15, 2022
7:00        Ettorina Cardella & Family + – Healing Sr. Kathleen Gibson, FMA
9:00        Sue Cara Lesca + 

Tuesday               August 16, 2022
7:00        In Honor of San Rocco from Fortunato D’Ascoli
9:00        Joseph & Carmella Greco + 

Wednesday       August 17, 2022
7:00        Edward Sabini +  – Intention Gibbons Cooney
9:00        Maria Russo & Luigi Cirelli + 

Thursday             August 18, 2022
7:00        Angelo Sanguinetti +
9:00        The Birthday of Frank Tognotti + 

Friday                   August 19, 2022
7:00        Dr. Joseph Presti & Angelina +
9:00        Ralph & Evelyn Lavin + – James Gee +       
            
Saturday              August 20, 2022
7:30        Joseph Leo Torre & Family +
9:00        Pietro, Adele, & Elena Domenici +
5:00        Louis, Eugenia, & Raymond Raggio + 
 


Particular Items

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This year the Assumption is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation (because it falls on a Monday)...but come to Mass and honor Our Blessed Mother anyway!

San Francisco Annual Rosary Rally! On Saturday, October 1, you are invited join Catholics from around the Bay Area at San Francisco’s Annual Rosary Rally. The day begins with Mass at 10:00AM at St. Mary’s Cathedral followed by a Eucharistic Procession to St. Boniface Church  There will be a Saints Peter and Paul contingent—we will process from the Church to St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Eucharistic Adoration/ Anointing of the Sick: We have Eucharistic Adoration every Friday, following the 7:00 AM Mass. And on the first Friday of the moth we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass.

Church Flowers: Would you like to sponsor a weekend of fresh flowers for your Church? Help beautify the Church, and your intention will be included in the bulletin. Call 415-421-0809.

Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School Accepting Applications: Our K-8 Salesian school is accepting applications for this year and next. Please email Dr. Lisa Harris at [email protected], and visit sspeterpaulsf.org/ to learn more.

Pre-K Also Accepting Applications: Our Laura Vicuna Pre-Kindergarten is accepting applications for 3 and 4 year-olds. Contact Barbara Simons for info: [email protected]

Young Adult Soccer Day: The Salesian Young Adults will have a soccer day on Saturday, August 27. To find out more and about our Young Adults community: salesiansspp.org/salesian-young-adults

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: Our assessment this year is $29,415, So far 55 families/parishioners have given or pledged $25,979, leaving us with a balance of $3,436. If you have not already given please join your fellow parishioners in meeting this shared obligation.

Mark Your Calendars! This year’s Columbus Day Bazaar (the 103rd Annual!) will be on the evening of Friday, October 7, and all day Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9. This is the biggest yearly fundraiser for the Church, School, and Pre-K, and we could sure use your help. Bazaar sponsorship opportunities are available—please call Gibbons or Fr. Tho at 415-421-0809.

Liturgical Calendar
Sunday                 14           20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday                15           The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Tuesday               16           Stephen of Hungary
Wed-Thurs          17-18     Weekdays in Ordinary Time
Friday                   19           John Eudes; Priest
Saturday              20           Bernard; Abbot, Doctor
Sunday                 21           21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Your gifts of July30-31:                              $3,207.
Weekly Goal:                                                 $8,670.
Shortfall taking from savings:                   $5,463.
Second Collection (for the Poor):              $1,370.
Thank You! Your parish appreciated your support!