Acts 12: 1-11; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; Matthew 16:13-19. In the first reading, Peter is arrested and imprisoned. An angel of the Lord wakes Peter from his sleep and leads him out of the prison. Paul writes to Timothy, The time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. In the Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples: Who do you say that I am? Simon Peter says, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus tells Peter that he is the rock upon whom the Church will be built.
San Pietro e Paolo
Pietro, pescatore di Galilea, è chiamato da Gesù a diventare pescatore di uomini; Paolo, il fariseo osservante della legge, diviene per elezione Apostolo della genti. Sulla loro testimonianza trova fondamento la nostra fede. Dalla loro fedeltà nasce lo stimolo a dire “sì” al Signore, che ci chiama donandoci la fede.
When the famous historian Christopher Dawson decided to become a Roman Catholic, his aristocratic mother was distressed, not because she had any aversion to Catholic dogma, but because now her son would, in her words, have to “worship with the help”. She was painfully aware that, in church at least, his aristocratic background would no longer set him apart from others or above anyone. At church he would be just an equal among equals because the Eucharist would strip him of his higher social status.
When Christ called Peter, he was a humble fisherman. He probably never attended school, his education mostly probably was provided by his family and Jewish tradition. When Christ called Paul, he was a Pharisee, well-educated by the learned Gamaliel and was able to speak more than one language.
Christ brings us all together. It doesn't matter to him where we're from or what status we may have been born into or given. In the eyes of the Lord, we're all important and needed. The shepherd is never at peace if one sheep is missing and the flock-count is only 99. His joy is full when the flock is complete.
The Eucharist, among other things, calls us to justice, to disregard the distinction between rich and poor, noble and peasant, aristocrat and servant, both around the Eucharistic table itself and afterwards outside of the church. At Eucharist, the rich and the poor kneel side by side. At that moment, we are reminded that we all are equal.
We are all equally loved and precious to our God.
This is what we celebrate at church and for many years, now, at Saints Peter's and Paul's. The feast of these two, very different Apostles of the Church, joined together calls us to grow into a community of Christ's disciples who welcome everyone no matter where we're from or who we are. Church is practice for heaven where, surely, we will find ourselves (if we get there) together with people of every race, social status and language. If we cannot stand and sit now, for a time, with all kinds of people who are different from us, how shall we be able to spend an eternity with them?
The feast we celebrate today invites us to stretch our hearts now and widen our embrace just as Saints Peter and Paul have done during their lifetime on earth and continue to do in the glory of heaven.
–Fr. Ramon Zarate, SDB Parochial Vicar
Mass Intentions For The Week
Sunday July 3, 2022 8:45 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul 10:15 Healing for Marie Tognotti 12:00 GB DeMartini + 5:00 Birthday of Francesco Germano +
Monday July 4, 2022 7:00 Nicola Sanguinetti + – Ray Parenti + 9:00 Birthday of Simoun M. Bugayong
Wednesday July 6, 2022 7:00 Dennis Calvert + – Tillie Ann Parenti + 9:00 Daniel Scopel +
Thursday July 7, 2022 7:00 Andrea Genoveffa + 9:00 Gaetano Alioto +
Friday July 8, 2022 7:00 Virginia Sanguinetti + 9:00 Joseph Frizza +
Saturday July 9, 2022 7:30 Thanksgiving from the Alberto & Eva Sia Lu Family 9:00 Margaret Cresci + 5:00 The Pierini & Spes Families +
WEEKLY INTENTIONS For each intention mentioned in the group below, individual Masses will be said in our Parishes, Schools or Missions. In Honor of the Infant of Prague
Baptisms Robert Aiavao – Catherine Zagrean
Marriages Resa & Gregory Ballardo Renewal of Vows
Rest in Peace Julia O’Meara
Particular Items
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul: Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Peter and Paul, the patrons of our church. Peter and Paul, pray for us!
Eucharistic Adoration: We have Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 7-8PM. Come spend some time with Jesus! The parking lot will be open.
Fr. Ramon Zarate: We are sorry to say that Fr. Ramon will be leaving us in July. He will serve at San Luis Rey in Laredo, TX. We will host a reception of gratitude on July 10, following the noon Mass.
Salesian Bingo: On Tuesday, July 12, at 6:30, the Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club will host Salesian Community Bingo in the gym. Go here for more info or to purchase tickets.
Camp Grigio: Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club Camp Grigio will run M-F through August 12, from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. Visit salesianclub.org/club-programs/summer/ for more.
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/
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] and visit their website.
Salesian Young Adults: Want fun, friends, service and faith? Our Salesian Young Adults invite you to share all of the above as we serve our Church and get to know one another! Visit https://salesiansspp.org/salesian-young-adults
Daily Rosary: Parishioners pray the rosary Monday through Friday at the Mary Help of Christians altar, following the 7:00AM Mass. Join us!
Parish Wish List: Fr. Tho is installing a new restroom in the sacristy. The cost will be $7,300. If you’d like to help with this project, feel free to speak with Fr. Tho or send your gift, payable to the church, with “Building Fund” in the notation field.
Liturgical Calendar Sunday 03 External Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Monday 04 Independence Day Tuesday 05 Anthony Zaccaria; Priest, Elizabeth of Portugal Wednesday 06 Maria Goretti; Virgin, Martyr Thursday 07 Weekday in Ordinary Time Friday 08 Weekday in Ordinary Time Saturday 09 Augustine Zhao Rong; Priest and Companions; Martyrs Sunday 10 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Your gifts of June 25/26 : $3,265. Weekly Goal: $8,670. Shortfall taking from savings: $5,405. Second Collection (Peter’s Pence): $601. Thank You! Your parish appreciated your support!