The First Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. In the first reading, Jeremiah prophesies the coming of a promised messiah for the house of Israel and Judah. Saint Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to conduct themselves in a way pleasing to God. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples to stay vigilant and be prepared for the day when they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

 
 
將臨期第一主日 

「將臨」，顧名思義，是快要來臨的意思，等待着快要來臨的人或事時，我們會懷着一種期盼和等待的心。將臨期是期待上主的來臨。舊約時代的人，常常渴望救主默西亞（救世主）降來。現在我們屬於新約時代，天主聖子已經降生為人，救恩不再是等待一個承諾的實現，而是一件早已完成了的事實。在這新時代裏，有新的希望：希望救世主來到每一個人的心裏，而且在世界末日基督光榮地再度來臨。 

在將臨期的四個星期內，教會禮儀重新提到舊約時代先知們含有渴望的預言，為的是要激發我們懷着盼望、感謝和準備救主來臨的心，因此，我們對於將臨期的讀經也應懷着這種心情去默想，我們更應懷着這種心態去生活。 

天主聖子藉童貞聖母降生成人，在達味家族誕生，祂將「在地上執行公道和正義」，對於這一點，我們時時要緊記和警覺，做到在讀經一中，聖保祿所盼望的「彼此間的愛情和對眾人的愛情增長滿溢……使你們在我們主耶穌……來臨時，於我們的天父前，在聖德上無可指摘」（得前三：12）。 

今天的福音描述世界窮盡之日，上主重來的情形，並不是要恐嚇我們，而是要提醒我們，時光易逝，人生苦短，要懷着熱切和期望的心，好好準備。今日世界紛紛攘攘，戰爭、殘殺、貪婪、傷風敗俗，人心不知是非善惡，在在都指出，人若離棄天主，是自取滅亡；而遵行天主聖道的人，可以「挺身抬頭

  
By the time Charles de Foucauld was eighteen, he had fully rejected his family’s Catholic faith. For some time he lived for frivolous pleasure, but while serving in the French army he became intrigued by North Africa, which he explored, disguised as the servant of a rabbi. His experiences enkindled a new desire. His prayer became “My God, if you exist, let me come to know you.” 

Then his cousin, a young mother whose holiness he had always admired, arranged a meeting between Charles and her spiritual director. To his own surprise, Charles found himself going to confession, followed immediately by Holy Communion. At that moment, Charles received a vocation to serve God alone. 

After many a twist and turn, now-Father Foucauld settled among the Tuareg people of the Sahara. He loved to spend time before the Eucharist. In his spiritual journal, he wrote, “My God, here I am at your feet in my cell. It is night, everything is quiet, everything is sleeping. At this moment I am perhaps the only one in this town at your feet. What have I done to deserve such graces? Now I thank you, and how happy I am!” Foucauld was killed b y bandits in 1916, and was canonized in 2022. 

Bread of Life, bless those who adore you in lonely places. May all peoples be united in love for you. 

Fr. Al Mengon, SDB
Parochial Vicar
Taken from the ‘Magnificat’ 
 
Mass Intentions For The Week 

Sunday                              December 1, 2024
8:45     The Edward & Eileen Ziomek & Myrtle Lane Families +
 10:15  Joseph Leo Torre & Family  +
 12:00  For the People of Saints Peter and Paul –  Andres Cannavo + – 10th Anniversary of the Death Of Roger Micheli +
 5:00     The Pierini & Spes Families + 

Monday                             December 2, 2024
7:00     Thanksgiving from Emmanuel, Marilou, Mylyn, Cathy & Anika
 9:00     Birthday of Sheila B. Thomeczek + – Edmond Serchia + 

Tuesday                            December 3, 2024
 7:00     Jennifer Fairbanks + – Esther Ragusa +
 9:00     Edward Sabini + – Healing Rose Baglin 

Wednesday                       December 4, 2024
 7:00     Nicola Sanguinetti +
 9:00     Maria Russo & Luigi Cinelli + – Leonard F. Poggio + 

Thursday                          December 5, 2024
 7:00     Anniversary of the Death of Rose Marenzi  +
 9:00     Vincenzo & Mariannina Torrano + –  The Birthday of Missy Poindexter + 

Friday                                 December 6, 2024
 7:00     The Intention of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
 9:00     Gaetano Alioto +  – Andres Cannavo + 

Saturday                             December 7, 2024
 7:30     The Birthday of Ernesto Marenzi +
 9:00     Louis, Eugenia, & Raymond Raggio + – Tafea Hoxha +
 5:00     Ruth, Guido, & Gig Ghiglieri +  – Henry P. Organ + 


 
 Particular Items 

Don Bosco Study Group: The group will meet by Zoom at 4pm, Tuesday, December 3. We will discuss “The City of Thieves,” by David Benioff and we will be led by Robin Murphy. It is a delightful story and historical novel. We will also discuss Chapter 4 of our “Parables” book. For more information or for a copy of the “Parables” chapter, contact Frank Lavin (415.310.8551, [email protected]). 

Eucharistic Adoration & Confession/ Anointing of the Sick: We have Adoration & Confession every Friday, following the 7:00 AM Mass. And on the first Friday of the month (this Friday) we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass. 

Lessons and Carols: Join us on Thursday, December 5 at 6:00PM as we once again host Lessons and Carols, a joint production of the students of SSPP and Sacred Heart High School. A great step on your Advent journey!

Cruzada Guadalupaña: On December 7 the 31st annual Cruzada Guadalupaña will take place. It starts at 6:00 AM at All Hallows Church in South San Francisco, and ends at St. Mary’s Cathedral (about 11 miles) where Archbishop Cordileone celebrates a special Mass. You can join anywhere along the route. Visit www.cruzadaguadalupana.org for all info 

Advent Penance Service: Next Saturday, December 7, from 3-5PM, we will have an Advent Penance Service. Follow the words of the Baptist and make straight the paths of the Lord before Christmas. Confessions heard in English, Spanish, Italian, Cantonese, and Vietnamese.

The real Santa Claus!Christmas Legends: St. Nicholas: December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas. How did St. Nicholas become “Santa Claus”? Nicholas was a priest, born in Patara, in 280 AD, in what is now Turkey. He became Bishop of the city of Myra. He was well known for his generosity to the poor. Once, a merchant in Myra had a business disaster, leaving his three daughters without dowries. This meant they couldn’t get married,and might be sold into slavery by creditors. Nicholas, the good bishop, heard about this and decided to take action. He sneaked onto the roof of the merchant’s house on three successive nights, dropping a bag of gold down the chimney each night. The astonished father, wondering where the gold was coming from, lay in wait on the third night. He caught St. Nicholas in the act, and embraced him in gratitude. In due course, all three daughters got married. Ever since, children have hung their stockings by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, to make things as easy as possible for St. Nick! The kindly St. Nick is also remembered for punching the arch-heretic Arius in the nose at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.



 Our Centennial Celebration and Jubilee Year has begun! On November 9-10, 2024 we began the 100 Year Anniversary of Saints Peter and Paul Church.   What a great weekend! The Masses and the Renewal of Wedding Vows were holy and beautiful; both the Saturday and Sunday receptions were packed; the food was great, and the grace of God touched all! Go here for links to photos and videos. 
 
Remember, though, the Jubilee Celebration is for the whole year—see the indulgence granted to us by the Vatican at left! Let us take this year to gratefully reflect on the gifts given to us by God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; to honor those who have come before us, and to preserve our faith and our Church for our posterity! 
 
Guess Who?  
Who are they?

Can you recognize this week’s lovely mystery married couple? Last week’s couple were Gregg & Julie Francheschi, married here back in 2001.  
 Want to see ALL our married couples? Go here, and you can find our full slideshow. 




JUBILEE PLENARY INDULGENCE

On the Occasion of the Jubilee Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Church.
The Apostolic Penitentiary in Rome, charged with the granting of indulgences, has designated Saints Peter and Paul Church in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, California as a Vatican recognized site for Plenary Indulgence and has granted a Plenary Indulgence to the faithful who truly repent and are driven by charity under these certain conditions from November 1, 2024 until November 1, 2025. A Plenary Indulgence may also apply, through the faithful’s own sufferings, to the Souls in Purgatory. 

WHAT IS A PLENARY INDULGENCE? 
An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment for sin the guilt of which is already forgiven, which a properly disposed member of the Christian faithful obtains under certain conditions with the help of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies authoritatively the treasure of the satisfaction of Christ and the saints. Code of canon Law (can. 992). A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in a state of grace, have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.  You can download a flyer here on how to obtain this wonderful spiritual gift!  

Choose Life! Walk for Life West Coast 2025: 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 21st Annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco on January 25, 2025. There will be Mass at 9:30AM at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The rally begins at 12:30PM at Civic Center Plaza, and the Walk, down Market Street, begins at 1:30PM. Last year’s Walk drew tens of thousands! For complete information about the Walk, visit walkforlifewc.com or call 415‐658‐1793.  

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: We are almost at the end of our 2024 Archdiocesan Appeal, and still have a way to go! This year’s assessment is $68,867. So far 69 families/parishioners have given $49,815, leaving us with a balance of $19,052. To donate or watch a good video about the 2024 appeal, and what it supports, go to salesiansspp.org/donations. If you can, join the 1% club! Give $688! But all gifts are deeply appreciated.

Catholic Medical Care right in our Parish! Bella Primary Care offers primary & pediatric healthcare in accordance with Catholic principles. They are located at 2000 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 304, in San Francisco. Now scheduling appointments for: 
PEDIATRICS: Wellness visits for ages 6 months to 18 years with our pro-life pediatrician Dr. Virginia Schneider.
WOMEN and MEN: Comprehensive annual exam.
EXPECTANT MOMS: Pregnancy verification, initial ultrasound and blood work.
FERTILITY: Initial and follow-up appointments using natural fertility assessment methods. 
For appointments, call 415-775-1500 or email our office at [email protected].  We look forward to caring for your families in a Christ-centered way!
 
Liturgical Calendar
 Sunday               01          First Sunday of Advent
 Monday              02          Advent Weekday
 Tuesday             03          Francis Xavier; Priest
 Wednesday        04          John Damascene; Priest, Doctor
 Thursday           05           Advent Weekday
 Friday                 06          Nicholas; Bishop
 Saturday            07          Ambrose; Bishop, Doctor
 Sunday               08          Second Sunday of Advent 

Your faithful gifts of last week will be published in next week’s bulletin. 

Weekly goal:   $8,670. 

We are always in shortfall. Fr. Tho asks for your help Please consider donating an amount equal to a breakfast or lunch or movie ticket.  Thank you! Your parish appreciates your continued support!