The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Micah 5:1-4a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45. Micha prophesies that the ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem-Ephrathah. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes that Christ said that he had come to do God’s will and that all have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. In the Gospel, Mary visits Elizabeth and the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps at the sound of Mary’s voice.
 
 
將臨期第四主日 

在將臨期的彌撒中，我們多次在讀經一中，讀到《依撒爾亞先知書》，所選的章節往往是預言救主的來臨，勸人攺過遷善，充滿喜樂與和平的訊息：惡獅猛獸和平相處，豺狼與羔羊共存，那是天國的預像。沒有人作惡， 也沒有戰爭，因為那時萬物充滿了對天主的認識。這是天堂，是天主對世人的許諾。也是祂對我們的期望。    祂要我們締造世上的天堂。 
       
我們會說：「我們現在生活在世上，不是在天堂，這事怎能實現？」那是可以的，我們可以創出一個小小的天堂，最少，可以在我們自己的心中及身邊的人中，創造這樣的一個天堂，祇要我們誠心地按天主的誡命對自己、對我們的近人做出來。 

在今天的福音中，我們可以看到一個絕好的榜樣。我們沒有看到有多少有關聖若瑟的記載，祇說他是個義人，他也沒有說過一句話，可是從他所作作為，一目了然他是怎樣的一個人，他的操守、聖德、他的為人、他的信德，他的忠誠，默默地盡心做好天主願意他做的事：保護養育耶穌，做聖母忠誠的淨配，幫助保護她。沒有聖若瑟，聖經可能要改寫呢！
 
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The themes for each Sunday of Advent are hope, peace, joy and love. Our Christmas season reminds us to continue to live out all these themes. Today we celebrate the 4^th Sunday of Advent and the theme is love. It is the love of God that sent his only Son to this world. During the Advent season, we are called to spiritual renewal. We are invited to confess, attend retreats and focus on prayers. All the readings we have been listening to lead us to meditate on the birth of Jesus and to hope for the second coming of Christ. Today’s the responsorial Psalm invites us to meditate, “Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” (Psalm 80). We want to see the face of Jesus as we are on the pilgrimage of hope that we will meet Jesus Christ when he comes again.  

In a few days, our Catholic Church will celebrate Christmas. A special thing about this Christmas celebration is that Pope Francis will announce the Jubilee Year and the theme is “Pilgrims of Hope.” The pope asks all the faithful to focus on Jesus Christ who is the reason for us to have hope. Our world is broken due to wars, the effects of the pandemic and the climate crisis. We hope that God will bring peace to our world. You will attend the Christmas Eve Mass. Pay attention to the responsorial Psalm which tells us, “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” (Psalm 98). Due to our human suffering and challenges we live in hope to see the saving power of God who can set us free.
 
 We are pilgrims waiting for the second coming of Christ. At the Christmas Day Mass, we will hear the responsorial Psalm proclaim “Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:11). Jesus came into this world more than two thousand years ago and continues to remain in our midst through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I invite you to meditate or reflect on all the readings and on these Psalm verses during this Christmas season. It is very important for us to understand the meaning of our Christian faith, hope and love. We believe that Jesus comes and becomes the center of our lives. Jesus wants to be with, incarnate in the form of a human being, to understand our human condition. He is God’s Son who has the power to heal our wounds and forgive our sins. 

Let us together to live and practice these themes: hope, peace, joy and love in our daily lives, throughout this Christmas season and this Jubilee year. May we remain in tune with God and witness the Gospel. 

Have a Merry Christmas! 
Fr. Tho 
Pastor
 
 
Mass Intentions For The Week
 
Sunday              December 22, 2024
 8:45                   For the People of Saints Peter and Paul
10:15                  Aurora Piazza +
12:00                  Loriano & Anita Belluomini + – Sergio Tuccori + –   Irene Jimenez +
5:00                    Anniversary of the Death of Andrea Marenzi +
 
Monday             December 23, 2024
7:00                     Vivian Rohner +
9:00                     Mary & Joseph Lavin + –  Jim Larsen +
 
Tuesday             December 24, 2024
7:00                     Anniversary of the Death of Louis DeNicolai +
9:00                     Mercedes and Jarnal Kalaykan + – Donie Doody +
5:00                     Frank & Linda Machi  +
 
Wednesday        December 25, 2024
12:00                   Fr. John Malloy, SDB  +
7:30                     Fr. Mike Ribotta, SDB +
8:45                     The DeNicolai Family
10:15                  Deceased Members and Ancestors of the Chinese Apostolate of Saints Peter and Paul +
12:00                  GB De Martini +
 
Thursday            December 26, 2024
7:00                     Edward Sabini +
9:00                     Anniversary of the Death of Jerry Bonjean + – For the Recovery of Robert Keller
 
Friday                 December 27, 2024
7:00                     Frank Sanguinetti +
9:00                     Evelina Riccio  + ‑ Caterina Aiello  +
 
Saturday             December 28, 2024
7:30                     Joseph Leo Torre & Family +
9:00                     The Giurlani Family  +  – Maurice Casals +
5:00                     Thanksgiving from the Lucchesi Family +
 
 
 
Particular Items
 
Christmas Novena! Our final chanted Christmas Novena, service will be on December 23, at 5:00PM in the Church. Join us! 

Christmas Carols: Be sure to join us for Christmas Carols on December 24. We gather at 9:00 AM in the playground, then proceed through North Beach spreading the Good News!

Christmas Eve
Carols 9:00 AM in front of Church, then through North Beach
Confessions 4-5 PM
Vigil Mass 5:00 PM
Prophecies Fulfilled Christmas Carols 11:30 PM, followed by the Midnight Mass 

Christmas Day
English Masses: 12:00, 7:30, and 8:45 AM
Cantonese Mass: 10:15 AM. Italian Mass: 12:00 PM
NO 5:00 PM Mass Christmas Day 

Christmas Second Collection: On Christmas Day we will have our traditional annual second collection, which supports our music ministry. Please be generous. 

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. 

Mrs. Rojas teaches gardening!
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.




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. For complete information about the Walk, visit walkforlifewc.com or call 415‐658‐1793.  

See her "M"?Christmas Legends: The Tabby Cat: “It was late at night in Bethlehem. All the visitors to the stable had gone home leaving only the Holy Family. All who remained were the holy animals and, outside, a tabby cat. Standoffish, she had watched the events with awe, but had not come into the stable. Now the only sound to be heard was the crying of Our Lord Jesus. He could not sleep. Our Blessed Mother comforted him, but to no avail. Even the ox and ass tried to help. Something compelled the tabby to help. She walked into the stable, and jumped into the manger. She lay down next to Our little Lord, and soon a loud purring filled the stable. Tabby’s purring calmed baby Jesus, and soon He was fast asleep. Our grateful Lady said ‘O proud cat, although you will never be tamed, from now on there will always be a warm place for you with the family by the fire.’ Then Our Lady rubbed the cat’s forehead, and, with her finger, drew a mark. That’s why even today the Tabby cat has an “M” on her forehead—in memory of her good deed in Bethlehem” 

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 76 families/parishioners have given $61,384, leaving us with a balance of $7,483. If you have not contributed, please help us to meet this shared obligation.
 
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!   

Who are they?
Guess Who? 
Can you recognize this week’s lovely mystery married couple? Last week’s couple were Renzo and Maria Sereni, married here back in 2013.  Want to see more SSPP married couples? Go here, and you can find our full slideshow.  

 
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!  
  

Care for Body & SoulCatholic 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               22          Fourth Sunday in Advent
Monday              23          Late Advent Weekday
Tuesday             24          Late Advent Weekday
Wednesday        25          Christmas Day
Thursday           26          Stephen; the First Christian Martyr
Friday                 27          John; Apostle, Evangelist
Saturday            28          The Holy Innocents; Martyrs
Sunday               29          The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph

Your gifts of December 14/15 :           $3,225.
Weekly goal:                                            $8,670.
Shortfall:                                                  $5,445.

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!