The Nativity of the Lord
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Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14. Isaiah speaks to us today of the beauty of the one who brings us glad tidings: Jesus coming to tell of God’s love. Hebrews goes further, describing Jesus as the one who fully reveals the depths of God’s love for humanity. Finally, the Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the very Word of God, the one from the beginning– God born into human history.
Natale di Signore
Natale è una festa che non lascia nessuno del tutto indifferente. In questa occasione, il cuore di bambino che palpita in ciascuno di noi riprende e battere, scoprendo in noi sentimenti di benevolenza verso tutti. Per qualche istante si assiste ad una vera tregua dagli abituali egoismi e ci si abbandona ai sogni di un mondo di pace e di serenità.
聖誕節
二千多年前在白冷郡發生了人類最大的歷史事件 —— 救主耶降生成人，居住在我們之中。而天地的主宰，竟降生在卑微馬槽！使馬槽成了學習的所在：耶穌降生在貧寒的馬槽，祂告訴我們，快樂不在擁有一許多物質，而是在心中擁有祂。祂來到世上，沒有任何物質的享受，祂鼓勵我們謙遜，不要盼望別人的鼓掌讚美。天主自謙自下，使我們不怕接近祂，可以以愛去得到祂的心。
今天，我們不單要崇拜耶穌的全能和偉大，也要效法祂的溫和謙遜。我們不單仰望聖母和聖若瑟的歡樂，也要效法常懷感恩歡樂之心，有什麼比救贖之恩更可欣可慰？
牧人們帶了禮物去朝拜耶穌，三位賢士更帶了貴重的黃金、乳香和殁藥給耶穌，也許聖母和聖若瑟也希望我們能獻上更純潔虔誠、歡樂的心作為禮物獻給他們的愛子。
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Nativity of Jesus. Every church creates a nativity scene and parishioners and visitors visit during the Christmas season to pray and meditate on the scene. Many of us may not know who’s idea it was to come up with the nativity scene we see today.
Fr. Clyde Bonar, in his book “Amen, I Say to You”, shares the story of how the nativity scene was first constructed and how we recreate it today: “One December, in the year 1223, Francis of Assisi had traveled to the little village of Greccio to pray. High up on the mountain, Francis had a hermit’s cave. How Francis loved this quiet spot. He could be alone with God. Toward evening, Francis heard music being played in the village below. Villagers sang joy-filled old songs; Christmas was just a few days away. The Son of God, Jesus, would return to earth, a baby, little and poor, to be held in the arm of Mary, his mother. The songs sang of this great event, the birth of Christ. So full of joy himself, Francis had an idea. He wanted to do something to recall to memory the little child who was born in Bethlehem. To let people see with their own eyes how Jesus lay in a manger with cows and donkeys standing by, the baby laying upon the hay where he had been placed.
Remember, when Francis of Assisi lived, there were no photographs, no movies, no television, no video games, no photocopies, no cell phones which took pictures. The printing press had not yet been invented. Books were rare and had to be copied by hand; almost nobody could read. No greeting cards arrived in the mail, showing Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus. Constructing a real-life picture seemed a good idea to Francis.
Living in Greccio was a good friend of Francis, Giovanni Vellita. Giovanni was a very holy and good man, a knight, a man of some wealth. Francis told Giovanni his idea for a Christmas crèche, and Giovanni loved the idea of living nativity scene. He promised to help.
The work began on a level piece of ground, near the hermit’s cave where Francis had come to pray. Franciscan brothers and people from the village pitched in to help. A manger was placed in the middle. A manger is another name for an animal’s feed box. Hay was put into the feed box, as it would be for the animals to eat. Cows and donkeys were placed around the manger. Horses and mules were brought close by. Surrounding this manger, just as in Bethlehem, was to be a stable, a barn, where animals were kept. At last, all was complete. The crèche at Greccio looked like a new Bethlehem. The baby Jesus would be placed in the manger at midnight Mass. Francis was very happy.”
During this Christmas season, I invite you to take sometimes to visit, meditate on the nativity scene, pray to Jesus for peace, justice, and love to each of our families and our world.
Merry Christmas!
Fr. Tho Bui, SDB
Pastor
Mass Intentions For The Week
Sunday December 25, 2022
12:00 Thanksgiving from Deacon Edward, Erlinda, & Emmanuel Te – Pietro Piazza +
7:30 Intention Aurora Piazza
8:45 The DeNicolai Family +
10:15 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul
12:00 In Memory of Louis & Ilva Baccetti, Costantino Laurent, & Norma & Joseph Frizza + – Lorenzo Simi +
Monday December 26, 2022
7:00 Anniversary of the Death of Teresa Bonjean +
9:00 Evelina Riccio + – 51st Anniversary of the Wedding Of Jose & Lina Dacio
Tuesday December 27, 2022
7:00 Ernesto, Ilide, & Pietro Piazza & Fr. Joseph Costanzo, SDB +
9:00 Mario Russo & Luigi Cirelli + – Healing Ashley Grupy
Wednesday December 28, 2022
7:00 Frank Sanguinetti +
9:00 In Honor of Madonna della Guardia –Paolo Nascimbene +
Thursday December 29, 2022
7:00 Birthday of Louis DeNicolai +
9:00 Vivian Rohner + – Gloria Casaretto +
Friday December 30, 2022
7:00 Joseph Leo Torre & Family +
9:00 Br. Roy Vetari, SDB & Fr. Attilio Giovannini, SDB +
Saturday December 31, 2022
7:30 Edward Sabini +
9:00 Thanksgiving Deacon Edward Te & Family – Conchita Chao +
5:00 Thanksgiving from the Lucchesi Family
WEEKLY INTENTIONS
For each intention mentioned in the group below, individual Masses will be said in our Parishes, Schools or Missions.
Robert PossRest in Peace
Dale Michael – Paul G. Organ - Henry P. Organ
Particular Items
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 (this Friday) 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.
Laura Vicuña Pre-K Open House: Our Laura Vicuña Pre-Kindergarten, the oldest Catholic Pre-K in San Francisco is hosting an Open House on Sunday January 8, 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!
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 20203: 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.
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!
Liturgical Calendar
Sunday 25 The Nativity of the Lord
Monday 26 Stephen; the First Christmas Martyr
Tuesday 27 John; Apostle & Evangelist
Wednesday 28 The Holy Innocents; Martyrs
Thursday 29 Fifth Day Within the Octave of Christmas
Friday 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph
Saturday 31 Seventh Day Within the Octave of Christmas
Sunday 01 Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Your gifts of December 10/11: $3,196.
Weekly Goal: $8,670.
Shortfall taken from savings: $5,474.
Second Collection (Priests’ Retirement Fund): $883.
Immaculate Conception: $825.
Your gifts of December 17/18: $3,064.
Weekly Goal: $8,670.
Shortfall taken from savings: $5,606.
Thank You! Your parish appreciated your support!
