The Epiphany of the Lord

Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Today’s first reading is a prophecy about the radiance of the Lord’s light shining on all nations. The second reading speaks of the Gentiles as co-heirs, along with the Jews, to the promises of Jesus. The Gospel tells of the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus, and how they were led by a star, fulfilling ancient prophesies.

 
 
 主顯節 

今天讀經一唱出了歡樂的歌詞：「……萬民要奔赴祢的光明，眾王要投奔祢升起的光輝。」（依：60)。今天福音記載東方的三位賢士遠道而來朝拜新生的天地君王耶穌。他們不在王宮中找到祂，而是在卑微的馬槽中找到祂。象徵耶穌紓尊降貴，來到人間，不單是為王侯貴族或卑微貧賤的人，而是為整個人類。 

住在耶路撒冷的人也看到那顆奇異的星，也看到新生的嬰孩耶穌，但他們覺得沒有什麼希奇 , 沒有什麼特別，可是三賢士多方尋覓，憑信德找到祂。今天，耶穌離我們很近，祂隱藏在麵餅和酒之內，但我們很容易忘記祂離我們多麼近，因為祂願意在尋常中顯示祂自己。我們不要因為耶穌不按我自己的方式顯現而失望 。 

我相信，在我們心中，也常常有一顆異星，天主明顯地感召我們，叫我們慷慨地做某一件事 , 放棄某些事物，過某種生活。我們必需像三賢士那樣留神和相信，因為天主也在每天平常的生活中展示祂自己，願我們留心去發掘內心的神光，好能在喜樂中、痛苦中、或每天枯燥乏味的生活中看到祂和祂的母親，得到祂的指引，和祂親近。 

我們也要跪下來，向祂獻上內心真誠的崇拜, 誠心的信賴和永遠不死的堅貞之愛。

 
Before closing the books of the 2024 festivities, the people of Bavaria, Poland among others, have one more tradition to celebrate. The entire family assembles in front of the house, the father of the family with fresh chalk completes the numbers of the new year – 2025- then touches up the letters in between: C M B. These letters are significant. With these letters the family prays that CHRIST may BLESS this HOUSE. At the same time the family is reminded once again who were the famous visitors who brought wonderful gifts to Jesus on the day of the Epiphany: CASPAR, MELCHIOR, BALTASAR. 

Happy Feast of the Epiphany 2025!
 
Know, dear brethren, (brothers and sisters,) that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior.  

On the fifth day of March will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.  

On the twentieth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
[In those places where the Ascension is observed on Thursday: On the twenty-ninth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.]  

[In those places where the Ascension is transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter: On the first day of June will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.]  

On the eighth day of June, the feast of Pentecost.  

On the twenty-second day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. 
 
On the thirtieth day of November, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Fr. Al Mengon, SDB
Parochial Vicar 
 
Mass Intentions For The Week 

Sunday              January 5, 2025
 8:45     Luigi Marciano & Giuliana Marciano +
 10:15  Lok King Tang & Sau Wah Wong Tang +
 12:00  For the People of Saints Peter and Paul – Lorenzo Simi +
 5:00     The Fanucchi Family and Lucchesi Family + 

Monday             January 6, 2025
 7:00     Henry Ravetto + –  Anthony (Tony) Ragusa +
 9:00     Giuseppe & Angela Balistreri & Family and Francesco Balestreri +
 
Tuesday            January 7, 2025
 7:00     Alberto & Eva Siu Lu & Family (Thanksgiving)
 9:00     Virginia Sanguinetti + 

Wednesday    January 8, 2025
 7:00     Andrea Genoveffa + – Vincenzo & Marianinna Torrano +
 9:00     Francesco & Antoinette Germano + 

Thursday          January 9, 2025
 7:00     Lorriane DeNicolai +
 9:00     Martin Jospeh Kilgariff + 

Friday                 January 10, 2025
 7:00     Joseph Leo Torre & Family +
 9:00     Salvatore & Pinuccia Piazza + 

Saturday          January 11, 2025
 7:30     Edward Sabini +
 9:00     William Giusti +
 5:00     Frank (Death Anniversary) & Linda Machi + 
 
 
Particular Items 

玫瑰經 Chinese Apostolate First Sunday Rosary: The Apostolate meets every first Sunday of the month, following the 10:15 AM Mass, to pray the Rosary in the Don Bosco Room. 

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 we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass. 

January, The month of Salesian Saints! January is a month loaded with our Salesian Saints. On January 22, Holy Mother Church celebrated the Blessed Laura Vicuña, patroness of our Pre-K. On January 24, we celebrate St. Francis de Sales, Patron of the Salesians. And on January 31, we celebrate the Feast of Don Bosco himself. Salesian Saints, pray for us! 

Mrs. Simons teaching.
Laura Vicuña Pre-Kindergarten Open House: Since 1987 the Laura Vicuña Pre-K has been providing early education to the children of North Beach and beyond. Curiosity, creativity, and exploration through play are encouraged in an environment that fosters a love for learning at an early age.  Parents are invited to come and tour both classroom spaces on Sunday, January 12 from 10:00 AM to 12 noon. Visit prek.sspeterpaulsf.org or call 415-296-8549 or email [email protected] to learn more. 


Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: The 2024 AAA is almost done and we still have a way to go. Our assessment for this year is $68,867. So far 78 families/parishioners have given $66,391 leaving us with a balance of $2,476. If you have not contributed, please help us to meet this shared obligation. 

Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School & Pre-K Accepting Applications: Our K-8 Salesian school is accepting applications for this year and next. Please email Dr. Lisa Harris at the school at [email protected], or Barbara Simons at the Pre-K at [email protected] to learn more!

Sponsor a Student! We are receiving more request for financial aid than ever before. We invite financially able parishioners to help with this ministry. Please call Fr. Tho or Dr. Harris.


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 in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, and the Walk, down Market Street, begins at 1:30PM. Last year’s Walk drew tens of thousands of people. For complete information about the Walk, visit walkforlifewc.com or call 415‐658‐1793. 

Jubilee Year of Hope! On December 24, Pope Francis  opened the Holy Year of Hope with the rite of the Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter. Here are some thoughts from his Papal Bull SPES NON CONFUNDIT. “Openness to life and responsible parenthood is the design that the Creator has implanted in the hearts and bodies of men and women, a mission that the Lord has entrusted to spouses and to their love. It is urgent that responsible legislation on the part of states be accompanied by the firm support of communities of believers and the entire civil community in all its components. For the desire of young people to give birth to new sons and daughters as a sign of the fruitfulness of their love ensures a future for every society. This is a matter of hope: it is born of hope and it generates hope.”
 
OUR JUBILEE YEAR!
 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 Guido Bardini & Shirley Guerra, married here in 1958.  Want to see more SSPP 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!    





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               05          The Epiphany of the Lord
Monday             06          Christmas Weekday; André Bessette; Religious
Tuesday            07          Christmas Weekday; Raymond of Peñaforth; Priest
Wednesday       08          Christmas Weekday
Thursday           09          Christmas Weekday
Friday                10          Christmas Weekday
Saturday            11          Christmas Weekday
Sunday              12          The Baptism of the Lord 

Your gifts of December 22, 25, & 29 will be published in next week’s bulletin.
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!