The Third Sunday of Lent

Exodus 3:1–8a, 13–15: Psalm 103: 1 Corinthians 10:1–6. Luke 13:1–9. The Lord is kind and merciful,” we will sing in the responsorial psalm, and it is that kindness and mercy that we rely on, like the Chosen People did, rescued from slavery in Egypt, like the Corinthians, anticipating the end of the age, like the fig tree in Jesus’ parable, barren year after year. Listening to today’s readings and singing the responsorial psalm, let us consider how we stand in need of God’s infinite kindness and mercy.



 
四旬期第三主日 

教宗方濟各宣佈去年十二月八日開始為慈悲禧 年，他說「基督是天父慈悲的面容」。這話總括了基督信仰奧跡的意義。在耶穌身上，慈悲活生生地彰顯出來。今天，耶穌以無花果樹作比喻，述說出天主慈悲容貎的另一面：忍耐。 

葡萄園主人看見了不結實的無花果，便要園丁把它砍下，免得白佔土地。但園丁懇求主人把它留下，讓他施肥鬆土，給它機會繼續生長。天主就像那個園丁，祂永遠忍耐，永遠給人機會悔改，永遠寛恕。有時悲劇發生，並不是天主懲罰我們，因為天主通常不用懲罰對待人，祂總給人機會，提醒我們，藉聖經、聖母、聖人、良師、益友、幫助、引導、勸勉我們，在我們的心園中施肥、灌溉，務求結出美果，問題在我們怎樣反應。 

四旬期是改善我們自己的好時機，我們可以比平日多用點時間祈禱，不單主日參與彌撒，平日也多參與彌撒，又利用告解聖事使我們靈魂潔淨，每天默想聖經。願我們的心受到觸動，不單領受到天主仁慈忍耐的恩賜，自己也要在身處的環境中，效法天主的慈悲，散發出仁慈忍耐的氛芳 。

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Recently our Church changed the name of RCIA to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). It is the same program which the Church has been using since the 1970s. The old term RCIA reflects just a single rite of the program. The new name OCIA reflects the original Latin translation and emphasizes the ongoing faith formation for individual adult who becomes Catholic. 

This year our parish community has twelve Elect and Candidates in the OCIA program. They have been attending faith formation classes since September of 2024. The five elect are Evelyn, Jessica, Alexa, Cal, and Aziz who will be baptized, and the seven candidates are Alma, Jaslene, Christine, James, Christopher, Karen, and Maggie who will become full members of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil this year.  

Today, the Third Sunday of Lent, they will participate in the first scrutiny rite. On the Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent, these elect and candidates will participate in the second and the third scrutiny rites. During these Sundays they attend the Sunday liturgy, and we, the priests and Saints Peter and Paul church community pray over the elect and the candidates in their final days of their journey to the reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. We are so happy to welcome them as they become new members and full members of the Catholic Church. 

During these three Scrutiny Sundays of Lent the readings at our 8:45am Mass will be from on Year A. The reason for using these readings is their relevance to the OCIA program. The Gospel of John focuses on three dramatic stories: the story of the Samaritan Woman; the story of the Man Born Blind; and the story of the Raising of Lazarus. 

Today, the Third Sunday of Lent, the Gospel of John focuses on the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well. Their conversation is anchored in Jesus’ revelation to her that He is the living water, and everyone who drinks of this water will never thirst again. It is relevant to our OCIA Elect as they are preparing to receive the waters of baptism at the Easter Vigil. 

I invite all of you to pray and support our elect and candidates as they await the reception of baptism and the other sacraments. Let us join with them in our prayers. As we continue our journey through this Lenten Season, let us also remind ourselves that our own baptism calls us to give testimony to Christ by witnessing the Gospel in our daily life. 

Fr. Tho
Pastor
 
 
Mass Intentions For The Week 

Sunday              March 23, 2025
 8:45     The Aicardi, Dal Cin, & Camoriani Families +
 10:15  Judy Smith +
 12:00  Steve & Lena Cuneo + – Jerry Ellen Cannizzaro +
 5:00     For the People of Saints Peter and Paul –  Anniversary of the Death of Javier Llorente +

Monday             March 24, 2025
 7:00     Angelo Sanguinetti +
 9:00     Maria Russo & Luigi Cinelli + – Healing Jospeh Testa 

Tuesday            March 25, 2025
 7:00     Edward Sabini +
 9:00     Souls of Eleanor Sabini & Norma Frizza + 

Wednesday      March 26, 2025
 7:00     Olga DeMartini Cuneo +
9:00     Louis, Eugenia, & Raymond Raggio + – Vic Dimino + 

Thursday          March 27, 2025
 7:00     The DeNicolai Family +
 9:00     Lisa Cobler + – Fred Tocchini + 

Friday                 March 28, 2025
 7:00     Attilio De Martini +
 9:00     John Courtney + – Intention Dolores Meehan 

Saturday          March 29, 2025
 7:30     The Sanguinetti Family +
 9:00     Nick Vezzi + – Intention Alyson Voltmer
 5:00     For the People of Saints Peter and Paul –Dolores Brockenshire & Michael Czuprynski +

 
 
Particular Items 

Confirmations: Today, 11 of our young people (and one adult) will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the noon Mass. They are:

Olivia Emmanuelle Payas Bella, Paloma Castello Branco, Christopher Ho Yin Chak, Quinn Charles   Fay, Gabrielle Juliet Jarrous, Kelly Patricia Madeline Keele, Kaiser Lopez Lagerhausen, Samantha Riley Liang, Anna Marietta Manfreda, Rolando Matias-Espinoza, Samantha Madan  Schmidt, Amelie Sofia Wu.

Here is a reflection about the Sacrament from Pope Francis: “Dear brothers and sisters: In our catechesis on the sacrament of Confirmation, we have seen that it is a further spiritual anointing that completes the grace of Baptism and leads to the Eucharist.  The rite of Confirmation recalls and renews the promises made at Baptism and invokes a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Just as Jesus received the outpouring of the Spirit at his baptism in order to carry out his messianic mission, the Church prays that we too may receive the gifts and fruits of the Spirit that enable us to help the Body of Christ grow in unity and missionary zeal.  The gift of the Spirit is communicated through the laying on of hands and anointing with sacred chrism.  Saint Paul sheds lights on the meaning of these sacramental signs when he says that ‘God… has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts.’ (2 Cor 1:21-22).  Sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are configured more closely to Christ and strengthened to bear witness to him in our world.  May each of us grow in gratitude for the gift received at our Confirmation and open our hearts ever more fully to the creativity of the Spirit who makes all things new.” 

Want to go deeper in Salesian Spirituality? Founded by Don Bosco himself, the Salesian Cooperators are an association of Christians living in the world according to the Chrism of Don Bosco. Our monthly formation meeting for those interested in becoming a Salesian Cooperator is Monday, March 24th at 7pm by Zoom . Sr. Mary Link will lead the session. For the Zoom link contact Frank Lavin at (415.310.8551, or email [email protected]).

The Angel of the Lord...The Annunciation! The great Solemnity of the Annunciation is this Tuesday! We have Masses at 7:00 & 9:00 AM.

Bible Study with Fr. Vien! Every Thursday Fr. Vien will host weekly Bible Study at 7:00 PM. Come join with others and  deepen your understanding of the Word of God!

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.


Stations of the Cross: We will have Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent at 6:30pm followed by a soup supper. The Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club will be hosting this Friday, March 14, at 6pm. All are welcome!

Mark your Calendars! & SAVE THE DATE! This year’s school Spring Fundraiser “The Greatest Show” will be on March 29 from 6:00-10:00 PM at  the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. Live auction, DJ, Dancing, Live Auction and more! Details and tickets may be found by visiting ssppevents.org/spring-gala

40 Days for Life Lenten Campaign! Join in peacefully praying for the end to abortion in San Francisco! The 40 Days for Life campaign runs from March 5 to April 13 at the Planned Parenthood business at 1522 Bush Street. You may sign up for vigil hours here www.40daysforlife.com/sanfrancisco.

Support the ONLY Catholic Healthcare in San Francisco at the Bella Primary Care Founders Gala: Celebrate Bella’s third year of Life-Affirming Catholic Healthcare on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at St. Mary's Cathedral Event Center. 6:00 pm Cocktails | 7:00 PM Dinner. Proceeds from our gala will provide funding for our underinsured patients. For more info: bellafoundersgala.com

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!

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.

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. The Salesians started by educating the children of the poor and we are not about to stop now—but like Don Bosco before us we need your help! We invite financially able parishioners to help with this ministry. Please call Fr. Tho at 415-421-0809 or Dr. Lisa Harris at 415-421-5219!

PLANNED GIVING: One Charitable Gift, A Legacy of Faith 
Consider listing Saints Peter and Paul as beneficiary in your Will (it’s advisable to have one). It preserves the mission and values of the church in its ministry. 
HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH A PLANNED GIFT? 
Call for information: Fr. Tho Bui, 415-421-0809 or [email protected]

Archbishops Annual Appeal 2025! Our AAA for 2025 has begun. This year’s assessment is $65,600, a little lower than last year’s which we did not quite make. So far, 23 parishioners/families have given $18,329, leaving us with a balance of $47,271. Join the 1% club! But all amounts greatly appreciated.

Liturgical Calendar
Sunday               23          The Third Sunday of Lent
Monday              24          Lenten Weekday
Tuesday             25          The Annunciation of the Lord
Wednesday        26          Lenten Weekday
Thursday           27          Lenten Weekday
Friday                 28          Lenten Weekday
Saturday            29          Lenten Weekday
Sunday               30          The Fourth Sunday of Lent; Laetare Sunday 

Your gifts of March 15 & 16:  $3,476.
Goal:                                      $8,670.
Shortfall:                                $5,194.

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. Your parish needs & appreciates your support!