The Epiphany of the Lord
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Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Isaiah prophesies that a light has come to Jerusalem, while darkness covers the earth. All will come to the city bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord. Paul tells the Ephesians that Gentiles are coheirs of God, along with the people of Israel. In the Gospel, magi arrive in Jerusalem from the east in search of the newborn king of the Jews. Herod is troubled by this, and the magi visit Mary and her child and offer gifts.
Epifania del Signore
Cercare la verità è neccessario comw l’aria che respiriamo. Quando questa ricerca è messa a tacere, come avviene nella nostra società che si accontenta di soddisfare i bisogni materiali, nasce l’insoddisfazione e l’infelicità. Ognia uomo è chiamato, come i Magi, ad essere un riceratore del senso della propria vita, pena un’esistenza superficiale e mediocre.
主顯節
今天我們看到三個在尋找的人，他們是三位賢士，看到天上的異星，千里迢迢從東方來到耶路撒冷，尋找新生的君王。他們長途拔涉地來到耶穌跟前，獻上最珍貴的禮物：黃金、孔香、殁藥。我們每人生命中都有一顆異星，帶領我們走向天主，我們可曾跟着它的帶領，用心去尋找祂？如果我們找到了，有否把我們的心交給祂？
主顯節的一週裏，我們會讀到耶穌初次顯示祂的天主性，在聖殿中與經師們交談，聆聽他們，詢問他們。聖母和聖若瑟三天焦急地尋找祂。我覺得他們尋找的是耶穌的天主性，幼年的耶穌，看來祇是個聰明的孩子，和平常人沒有多大分別，要相信祂是天主，需要多大的信德！他們不明白耶穌說祂必需在祂父親那裡，但把一切默記於心，不斷存想。多麼好的典範！
「耶穌在智慧和身量上，並在天主和人前的恩愛上，漸漸增長」（路二：52）。願我們也在智慧、身心和在天主和人前的恩愛上漸漸增長。
在2016年已盡，2017年伊始之日，我們有沒想到過去一年中，有些後悔的事，希望能夠重新做一次？天主永遠給我們機會重頭再來。願各位抖擻精神活好新的一年。在愛主愛人上日漸增長！
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
A week before Thanksgiving last year, the Salesians in the United States, welcomed the 10th Successor of Saint John Bosco, our Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime. Many of us have not met him in person. I recall that people were excited waiting to meet him. When he appeared here at Saints Peter and Paul Church to celebrate the 125th Years of the Salesian presence in the US and the Salesians celebrating their anniversaries of religious profession, people who met him felt that he was so down to earth and friendly with everyone, especially the young people.
Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The Son of God appears to the magi. ‘Epiphany’ means that God appears in the world in human flesh. Jesus comes and lives among us: ‘Emmanuel’ which means ‘God with us.’ God wants to be like us as a baby lying in the manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.
The shepherds saw the new born king, then the magi come from afar to see and worship the new born king Jesus. They bring gifts: first, gold for the One who gives the kingdom to the poor in spirit. Second, frankincense which is expensive perfume for the One who tells us the meek shall inherit the earth. Third, myrrh that indicates the cruel death Jesus would suffer. It is a traditional herb for the burial of the dead given to the One who conquers death.
Over two thousand years ago the Son of God appeared to the magi. Today we ask, “How does Jesus manifest himself to us?” The answer is the spiritual truth that God, whom we cannot see physically, continues to shine through in the love given to those we can see. In other words, God manifests to us through the people we encounter each day. An example, many of us asked: where was God during the pandemic? The answer is God was present through the scientists, doctors, medical personnel, religious, priests or our loved ones who sacrificed their time and energy to help those who contracted COVID-19. When a priest visits a sick person at home or a hospital, God is present through him, ministering the sacrament of the sick. Do we feel God present when we pray? I truly believe that God is present with us at the moment of our prayers. I have the experience of the calmness and peace when I pray. You too may have the same experience.
Our Christmas season is coming to the end, but the present of Jesus Christ, the Son of God is not. Emmanuel, God with us, and continues to be with us through people that we meet in our lives. We need to bring God’s presence to others by sharing God’s love and witnessing it.
Happy Feast of Epiphany!
Fr. Tho Bui, SDB
Pastor
Mass Intentions For The Week
Sunday January 8, 2023
8:45 Luigi Marciano +
10:15 Pedro Molina, Iluminda Molina, Dolores Molina Bautista, & Segundina Morales De Leon +
12:00 Loriano & Anita Belluomini +
5:00 For the People pf Saints Peter and Paul
Monday January 9, 2023
7:00 Lorraine De Nicolai +
9:00 Intention Brian & Wendy Willbanks + – Intentions of Da Mei Wen
Tuesday January 10, 2023
7:00 Joseph Leo Torre & Family +
9:00 Vincenzo & Brigida Ruggiero +
Wednesday January 11, 2023
7:00 Virginia Sanguinetti +
9:00 Marion Dud Fabrique + –Sr. Rita Bailey, FMA +
Thursday January 12, 2023
7:00 Edward Sabini +
9:00 Maria Corradetti +
Friday January 13, 2023
7:00 Ettorina Cardella & Family +
9:00 Maria Russo & Luigi Cirelli +
Saturday January 14, 2023
7:30 Aurora Piazza +
9:00 Americo Sbragia +
5:00 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul
Baptism
Angelina Churillo
Rest in Peace
Pope Benedict XVI – Aurora Piazza
Sr. Rita Bailey, FMA – Alma Gianfranceschi
Particular Items
Laura Vicuña Pre-K Open House: Our Laura Vicuña Pre-Kindergarten, the oldest Catholic Pre-K in San Francisco is hosting an Open House TODAY, from 10:00AM to noon. The Pre-K offers rolling admission for Children from ages 2.9 to 6 years old. Come tour our classrooms and meet our staff. A brief program will be given at 10:15 AM. For more info email Barbara Simons, the Director, at [email protected]. Become part of the Saints Peter and Paul family!
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 month we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass.
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.
Sponsor a Student! Are you able to help a student receive a Catholic education? We are receiving more request for financial aid than ever before. If so, please call Dr. Lisa Harris at 421-5219 or Fr. Tho Bui at 421-0809.
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
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.Choose Life! Walk for Life West Coast 2023: Join fellow Catholics and Pro‐Lifers of every and no faith from all over California and beyond as we stand up for the littlest among us at the 19th Annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco on January 21, 2023. There will be Mass at 9:30AM at St. Mary’s Cathedral . The rally begins at 12:30PM in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, and the Walk, down Market Street, begins at 1:30PM. Last year’s Walk drew 40,000+ people. For complete information about the Walk, visit walkforlifewc.com or call 415‐658‐1793.
The good SFPD always keep the Walk safe.
Adoration for Life: As always we will have All-Night Eucharistic Adoration for Life the night before the Walk, beginning at 8:00PM. Call the parish office to sign up for some time with Jesus!
Don Bosco Study Group: The next meeting is January 26, at 4PM. The group discuss the book (and/or movie) “Where the Crawdads Sing,” with a discussion to be led by John R. Pugh. Jr. The Zoom link is below for those that intend to attend by Zoom.
For March, the group will read “Ordinary Grace,” by William Kent Krueger (for those that like to read ahead).
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 858 1236 3113
Passcode: 841830
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Liturgical Calendar
Sunday 08 The Epiphany of the Lord
Monday 09 The Baptism of the Lord
Tues-Thurs 10-12 Weekdays in Ordinary Time
Friday 13 Hilary; Bishop, Doctor
Saturday 14 The Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sunday 15 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Your gifts of Christmas and January 1 will be published in next week’s bulletin. Thank You! Your parish appreciated your support!
