By Mariella Zevallos The Eucharistic Rosary Congress brought a week of prayer and devotion to San Francisco from October 28 to November 4, with Saturday, November 1 (All Saints

Join the Archdiocese of San Francisco for a Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe beginning Friday, Nov. 28 and ending with the Guadalupana pilgrimage and

Hope Does not Disappoint By Sr. Celeste Arbuckle, SSS This year’s Faith Formation Conference at Saint Matthew Parish in San Mateo gathered parish leaders, catechists,

By Remee Vargas Youth Day @ SFARCH 2025 was a powerful and grace-filled night of worship, movement, stillness, and encounter. What took place was more

By Francisco Valdez What happens when you spend quality time in front of the Blessed Sacrament every day? You might become inspired to use your

By Christina Gray Serving outcast populations could become a through line in the ongoing history of Sacred Heart Parish in Olema. In 1911, Belgian Priests

By Christina Gray According to the U.S. Consumer Price Index, the overall price of groceries is nearly 3% higher than it was this time last

Pastor’s devotion to St. Padre Pio transforms parish community By Christina Gray Msgr. Romulo “Loi” Vergara, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in

Exploring the Catholic vocations of marriage, Holy Orders and consecrated life By Mary Powers The personal vocation of each baptized Catholic stems from a primary

Old St. Mary’s host site for Gospel Mass, food and fellowship By Christina Gray Old St. Mary’s Cathedral and Chinese Mission, a ministry of the

By Catholic San Francisco Holy Name of Jesus parish in San Francisco’s Sunset District marked with a two-day celebration a milestone this past weekend —

By Lidia Wasowicz Ever been touched by an “angel” whose sainthood you wish to promote but don’t know where to start? A new option is

By Catholic San Francisco On Sunday, September 28, Fr. Jose Shaji was installed as pastor of St. Emydius Catholic Church by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.

By Valerie Schmalz The testimony of Edgar Pacheco Jr., a Texas disability activist born with no arms or legs due to the rare congenital condition

Make First Profession and Celebrate their 60th Jubilee  By Catholic San Francisco On a bright, sunny Sunday morning, inside a monastery chapel in Menlo Park,

By Mariella Zevallos,Star of the Sea Parish Director of Communications and Parish Life On Sept. 7, 2025, I was one of more than 70,000 people

By Catholic San Francisco On the solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of San Francisco, hundreds of faithful took part in the

By Valerie Schmalz Director of the Archdiocesan Office of Human Life & Dignity. A moment of grace with a homeless, pregnant mom The pregnant, homeless

By Christina Gray Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org Hail Mary, full of grace Marian shrines a labor of love for San Francisco parish It’s

On Friday night, the Shrine will host the annual Transitus Service. The Franciscan tradition commemorates the death of Francis on October 3 and his entrance

By Mary Powers Catholic Charities of San Francisco honored four parishioners nominated by their pastors at their first Matthew 25 Parish Luncheon on Wednesday, September

On September 21,St. Gabriel Catholic Church in San Francisco celebrated a momentous occasion: the installation of Father Ian Quito as its new pastor. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.

Parishioners from All Souls Catholic Church gathered on Sunday, September 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, for Father Miguel Ruiz’s installation as pastor of the parish.  

Over the decades, the prodigy from Detroit took his singers in new directions and to new locations.

as an annual way to honor firefighters who lost their lives during the 1946 Herbert Hotel Fire and continues to honor all first responders.

Deacon Chuck McNeil has organized an “Out of the Darkness” interfaith prayer service at St. Dominic parish on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the church’s Lady Chapel.

Dozens of Stella Maris Academy students marched through the streets of San Francisco in Catholic school uniforms and t-shirts on Sept. 5, asking passersby to “Remember the Unborn.”

The angels — both our guardian angels as well as other angels — are constantly watching over us, interceding for us and guiding us on our journey to heaven.

Frassati, with his vibrant witness of steadfast faith and living out the beatitudes to the full, is a faithful guide to accompany us as we, too, strive to ascend the mountain of sainthood.

Blessed Carlo’s greatest legacy may be the example he set — that one can still be a typical teenager while prioritizing a devotion to faith.

“For those Catholics who see the best in technology, Carlo serves as a guiding light, always pointing us to Christ.”

School leaders should ‘enable and ennoble the faculty’

The consecration was in response to President and Rector Father Mark Doherty’s request from a group of seminarians who have been praying for the consecration.

On the memorial of the Queenship of Mary, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, chancellor of St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, consecrated the institution to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

To bear authentic, heart-changing public witness to the real power of prayer and, more importantly, to God’s presence, we Christians must be intentional and specific in our prayerful solidarity.

From August 19 to 28, St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco celebrated its 55th anniversary with a joyful series of events leading up to the parish feast day on August 28. The multi-

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone formally installed Father Armando Gutierrez as the pastor of St. Finn Barr Catholic Church on Sunday, August 24.

On Sunday, August 17, Father Gerardo Vasquez was installed as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in East Palo Alto.

Father Mario Paul Farana was laid to rest after his unexpected death on Aug. 5.

By Catholic San Francsico The Cathedral’s “Triduum” of events in celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place from Friday, August 15

A first-class relic of Blessed Michael McGivney was on display for veneration at St. Augustine Church on August 18.

St. Augustine just concluded the second of two free workshops intended to help participants recognize and respond with hope and resources to common mental health challenges.

The annual celebration for the small Church of the Assumption brings guests from all over the Bay Area – from Sunnyvale to Santa Rosa.

By Mary Powers On Sunday, July 27, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone installed Father Andrew Spyrow as the 12th pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in

Defying the adage that youth is wasted on the young, Catholic Charities San Francisco has launched a group of professionals ages 21 to 40 to infuse its initiatives with time, talent and treasure in line with the shifting needs of evolving times.

For these local priests, the great outdoors is a saving grace.

At the heart of the Fons et Culmen Liturgy Summit was the solemn pontifical celebration of the sacred liturgy, including beautiful sacred music rendered from the Church’s treasury throughout the ages by a professional choir.

Reminding Catholic business leaders of the call to live with integrity, the goal of Legatus is to help encourage and strengthen members to be the same people in the boardroom as they are at Church on Sunday.

“It is important that we include our elders in conversation and truly hear them out in all their needs. Above all, God calls each one of us to advocate for the most vulnerable in our community.”

Catholic-run residential care for seniors here has ended, but support still exists.

Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park hosted a film, honoring Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and celebrating 60 years of the Dominican Laity’s Corpus Christi Chapter in the Archdiocese.

Michael Peterson distinguished himself long ago to the community at Junipero Serra High School, where he served for more than 30 years, 25 of them as principal.

Hundreds of people gathered to venerate the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis as they traveled throughout the Archdiocese to parishes including St. Pius Catholic Church in Redwood City, St. Raphael Catholic Church in San Rafael, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Daly City.

A veteran San Francisco police officer, his two teenage sons, and his niece were confirmed together, with two other family members serving as their sponsors.

Our Lady is the refuge of sinners, offering protection and intercession for all who seek her help, no matter how grave their sins.

By Christina Gray The stunning but harsh red rock desert landscape of Moab, UT, brought a group of outgoing freshman from Nativity High School to

The docent-led tour of the church’s stained-glass windows is traditionally held at the end of the longest day of the year.

As the National Eucharistic Revival nears its end, Catholic San Francisco reflects on the many Eucharist-centered events that have taken place over the past three years.

More than 150 people filled St. Boniface Church in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood on June 13 for a Mass commemorating St. Anthony Foundation’s 75 years of compassion and service to the poor.

In a solemn Mass, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone ordained deacons Leandro Calingasan and Emmanuel Gutierrez to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and Br. Francis Xavier Khoi Trong Le of the Domus Dei Clerical Society of Apostolic Life, was ordained to the transitional diaconate.

Speaking with the newest priests of the Archdiocese, the call to their vocation was clear and they have a deep desire to lay down their lives to serve the people of God—most especially sacramentally through the Mass.

California pilgrimage meets National Eucharistic Pilgrimage as both conclude on June 22     By Christina Gray Archbishop of San Francisco Salvatore J. Cordileone, Oakland

The Vatican has designated the site as a place where the faithful have the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence in honor of the church’s 100-year anniversary. 

Over the span of two weeks, the St. Timothy Catholic School community came together to decorate 162 pillowcases for Operation Pillowcase, each one personal and full of gratitude.

The groundbreaking initiative aims to provide a roadmap for advancing candidates for canonization and increasing the chances of American candidates achieving sainthood.

By Catholic San Francisco On the evening of May 14, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Accompanied by their pastor and youth minister, 15 young pilgrims from St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Novato spent 10 days in Italy this February visiting Padua and other Italian cities rich with Catholic history and tradition, including Assisi, Rome and Venice.

By Father Bobby Barbato, Ofm Cap. A man nearly blind, for whom the light of the sun and even of fire causes pain, sings the

The beloved Easter basket. In certain Eastern Catholic churches of the Byzantine rite, it’s more than a candy-crammed straw container delivered to children by a mythical bunny. It’s a venerable faith tradition filled with foods that represent the Lenten journey to “Pascha,” or Easter.

Being baptized into the Catholic faith as an adult is a life-changing experience, the meaning of which Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone believes is expressed most fully in the ancient tradition of full-immersion baptisms.

The local pilgrimage is part of the larger celebration of the Jubilee in the Universal Church. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Jubilee Year as a time to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and significant liturgies of the Church year. During the Mass, Archbishop Cordileone blessed the three sacred oils—Oil of the Sick, Oil of Catechumens, and Sacred Chrism—that will be used in sacraments throughout the coming year.

By Ed Hopfner “Rejuvenating, uplifting.”  “God knew we needed this workshop…”  “Very good and very effective.” “So many tools to use…”                 These were some

This year, we see a rare event where both calendars align and the Orthodox and Catholic churches will hold Easter on the same day, April 20.

A chorus of young voices filled the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco on Saturday, April 6, as eight Catholic school choirs and more than 150 young singers gathered for the American Federation of Pueri Cantores’ annual Northern California Catholic Youth Choral Festival & Mass.

By Father Vincent Woo For nearly 2,000 years, Catholics were only permitted to bury their bodies. Cremation, on the other hand, was strictly prohibited until

An early-morning drive to Tomales parish turned into a transformative journey filled with friendship, faith, laughter, unexpected grace, meaningful community connections, and an unforgettable encounter with Father Juan Manuel Lopez.

Father Gregory Heidenblut, O.S.A., formally began his role as pastor of Notre Dame des Victoires Parish at an Installation Mass celebrated by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone on March 30.

The Augustinian priest appointed by Archbishop Cordileone earlier this year has been parish administrator since September 2024.

In honor of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, Our Lady of Angels parish in Burlingame is hosting a “Let the Spirit Move You” speakers series throughout the year.

By Catholic San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone and Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Gerasimos joined together in prayer on March 20  for the 19th anniversary of

By Catholic San Francisco The United Irish Cultural Center (UICC) commemorated its 50th anniversary with a special Mass on March 8, celebrating five decades of

By Aaron Lambert As the Lenten season guides the path to Easter, the Church offers a beautiful tradition of prayerfully entering into Christ’s passion and

On March 8, more than 100 men gathered at St. Pius Catholic Church in Redwood City for the Bay Area Men’s Conference, a day dedicated to deepening their faith and embracing their roles as spiritual leaders.

By Catholic San Francisco Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Daly City opened its 100 years celebration with a Mass on March 15 celebrated

Father Albert Duggan, O.P., has been appointed new president of the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology (DSPT) effective July 2025.

Rite of election is a pivotal step for more than 650 individuals from 57 parishes—384 candidates and 269 catechumens—on their journey toward full communion with the Catholic Church.

In just under four minutes, 26-year-old Randall Williams contrasts the empty allure of social media “scrolling” with the lasting peace he found after returning to his childhood faith.

Neary 150 couples participate in Wedding Anniversary Mass By Ed Hopfner Nearly 150 couples joined Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone on Saturday, February 22, for the

By Christina Gray For more than one century, St. Anne’s Home in San Francisco has cared for needy seniors in their final years, including dozens

The kits included candy and an interactive dice game that invited spouses to “roll the dice” to express love for their spouse in a dozen loving ways. 

Ongoing formation for Catholic couples can help marriages thrive By Christina Gray George and Maureen Arriola have been married for 19 years. Their easy smiles

The history of the diaconate is an “ancient and rich” one that was born out of necessity. Traditionally, the Church interpreted the selection of the “seven reputable men” in the Acts of the Apostles 6:1-6 as marking the origin of the spirit of the diaconate as a distinct ministry of Christian service. The apostles appointed these men to attend to the needs of the Greek-speaking widows of the early Church in Jerusalem.

A 175-lb. African sulcata tortoise named “Tiptoe” who barely escaped with his life in January’s LA wildfires inspired St. Dunstan School kindergartners to help other animals affected by the tragedy.

Archdiocesan Women’s Conference draws women closer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Jubilee Year of Hope By Mary Powers The Archdiocese of San

In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone spoke on the theme of trusting in Divine Providence—especially as the Lunar New Year begins—drawing from St. Padre Pio’s famous quote of “Pray, hope and don’t worry.”

On Sunday, February 2, the Archdiocese of San Francisco celebrated the annual Mass for Consecrated Life and Jubilarians, honoring men and women who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and His Church.

How the late Bob Ferretti embodied what it means to be a Catholic school educator

The California bishops have dedicated the 2024-2025 pastoral year to promoting, protecting and promulgating the sacrament of marriage and empowering, embracing and encouraging married couples and families through a campaign dubbed “Radiate Love.”

Consecrated women religious dedicate their lives as spouses of Christ to serving Him in His children. Through their different charisms, women religious reveal Jesus’ heart to humanity.

The following excerpt on the Eucharist is taken from a sermon in 1856 by St. John Henry Cardinal Newman.

In a fast-paced, ever-evolving world, where students and school communities are challenged with discovering a sense of calm and peace, the Catholic school remains a beacon of light and a beacon of truth, beauty and goodness for the next generation of disciples and leaders, as it always has.

The word vocation comes from the Latin “vocare” meaning “to call.” Teaching is a profession but it is also a vocation, a calling.

Three different Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of San Francisco introduced new programs at the start of the academic year designed to help better serve the needs of local families and the mission of Catholic education itself.

By leveraging the available resources and applying strategically, families can provide their children with a rich education rooted in faith and values without undue financial strain.

At a deeply personal level, I have been struck by the renewed spirit of hope and gratitude I experience after each school visit: renewed hope because each school visit brings me into an encounter with the beauty of Catholic education.

The event marks the 19th year that the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco have come together in prayer to pray for unity.

By Catholic San Francisco Eighth-grade students from Catholic schools across the Archdiocese came together at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption for a

Central to St. Francis’ Catholic faith was his belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

“We rejoice that Br. Mikhael Josip Maria of the Holy Cross and the Holy Name of Jesus has successfully discerned and pursued [the call to the priesthood], which brings him to the altar today,” said Archbishop Cordileone.

Newly canonized saint served Christ by serving His priests

For 50 years, the Padua Dining Room has fed the body and lifted the spirit of anyone that comes through its front doors.

Of the more than 90 parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, five offer perpetual adoration, which is availability of the exposed Blessed Sacrament to the faithful 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Preparing for the 2024 Walk for Life West Coast? Join us for the many events around town!

On December 14, amidst the glow of candlelight in the storm-darkened church, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone installed Father Sebastine Bula, VC, as pastor of St. Rita Catholic Church in Fairfax, St. Cecilia Church in Lagunitas, and St. Mary’s Church in Nicasio.

Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a jubilee year with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” With this jubilee, the Church will embark on a collective pilgrimage toward “a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus…”

Joining Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem, many cultures spend the last nine days of Advent remembering the nine months Mary spent with Jesus in her womb.

Helping the bereaved find meaning in loss is the lifeblood of the Archdiocese’s grief and consolation ministry

This tradition marks the beginning of preparations for Simbang Gabi, the novena of Masses leading up to Christmas, which will commence on December 16.

“¿No estoy yo aquí, que soy tu madre?”

“Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us that we have a mother who always protects us, intercedes for us, and brings us closer to her Son.”

During this holy season of Advent, the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Office of Human Life & Dignity hosts events that help struggling families.

The year-long celebration commemorated the bicentennial of the death of their foundress, Blessed Maria Maddalena of the Incarnation.

General McMaster is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general who served in the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as the 25th U.S. National Security Advisor from 2017 to 2018.

By Christina Gray On All Saints Day on Nov. 1, Catholics recognize the holy men and women who lived, died and have already entered into

At seminaries around the country, the preparatory, probationary “propaedeutic year” that precedes formal studies is providing critical time and tools for the making of a priest.

The Armenian Apostolic Church dates back to the Apostolic age. St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew brought the Gospel to the area of modern-day Armenia.

Spiritually, The Last Judgement reminds viewers that in this life, man lives under God’s mercy. When the world ends, he will live under His justice.

He is also the namesake of one of the nation’s largest Black Catholic organizations, the Knights of Peter Claver founded on Nov. 7, 1909.

The Xavier Society for the Blind, based in New York, is the only Catholic organization that actively provides reading and audio materials to the visually impaired for free.

In a heartwarming show of community spirit and generosity, the students and staff of Our Lady of Loretto School rallied to restock the parish food

Affectionately known as “The Italian Cathedral of the West,” Sts. Peter and Paul has since become a landmark of cultural and spiritual significance in San Francisco, welcoming generations of families through its doors. 

“I am grateful to Father Roy for his presence and work in our Archdiocese. He has been a valued collaborator with me during his years here. I am very grateful to him for taking on this assignment to continue and build upon the good work here.”

An all-volunteer crew captained by a former Navy pilot has anchored hopes for helping fellow veterans combat anxiety, depression, post-traumatic-stress disorder and other mental scars of military service in a donor-funded program of sailing and restoring vessels.

By Christina Gray One of the best ways to count one’s blessings at Thanksgiving is by sharing them with others. Catholic San Francisco has compiled

Sister André Marie Vuong stepped away from a successful career as a pharmacist after a life-changing encounter with the Blessed Sacrament.

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma held a special All Souls Day Mass celebrated by retired San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William Justice on Saturday, November 2, to pray for the souls of those who had passed away over the past year and all those who were buried at the cemetery.

The longtime director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of San Francisco was named recipient of the 2024 Alleluia Award from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC).

Catholic couples gathered at St. Pius Catholic Church in Redwood City for a day dedicated to enriching their marriage and empowering families in their journey of faith.

Father Schunk comes to St. Stephen parish having previously served as the administrator at St. Monica-St. Thomas the Apostle parish. He also served as the vice-rector of the North American College in Rome from 2017 – 2023 and the vocations director for the Archdiocese of San Francisco from 2013 – 2017.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco welcomed the Sisters of Life October 25-27, with Mother Agnes Donovan, SV, Sr. Ann Immaculée, SV, and Sr. Mary Pieta, SV, spending several days meeting with parish groups, students, and young adults across the Archdiocese.

On Sunday, October 20, Father Manuel Igrobay was installed as the new pastor of St. Timothy and St. Luke parishes, and Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone blessed the newly renovated gym at St. Timothy.

The Mass brought together parishioners and first responders from across San Mateo County.

“May prayer be the underpinning of all we do in sharing our faith and knowing Christ Jesus.”

Friends of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption had been planning for some time a special gift and unique presentation for the Archbishop to commemorate the occasion.

Medical professionals are blessed with “this holy call as a Catholic health care worker healing mind and body with the selfless love of the Mother of God, with the compassion revealed by her Son on the cross.”

St. Patrick’s Seminary was bustling with excitement on September 28 as Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone ordained five men to the transitional diaconate.

“This school has survived earthquakes, it has survived fires, it has survived politics and so many other challenges, and here it is, stronger than ever,” Mayor Breed said.

St. Francis of Assisi: Join us in celebrating the 800 anniversary of the stigmata. CLICK HERE FOR EVENTS THIS WEEK!

“I have worked very closely with Father Faller for many years now…He is a man who is guided by the wisdom from above that teaches us what to ask for and gives us the desire to act accordingly.”

“After being ordained to the priesthood, it feels like probably the greatest day of my life,” said Father Vito Joseph Mary Perrone of the Holy Face and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“Having this community gathered here to sing the historic music of the Church is just a spectacular gift.”

Members of the legal profession gathered at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Thursday, September 19, for the annual Red Mass sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.

ore than 120 youth and their leaders from nine Archdiocesan ministries joined 1,500 other Catholics on Saturday, September 14, for ONFiRE, an annual event that kicks off the year’s youth and young adult ministries in Northern California.

The French national parish of Rome (San Luigi dei Francesi) contains three priceless paintings by Michelangelo Caravaggio (1571–1610) known collectively as the Matthew Cycle. The three paintings depict, respectively, the calling of St. Matthew, his writing of the Gospel that bears his name and his martyrdom.

Father William O’Connell passed away peacefully at his home in Moss Beach, at the age of 97.

The annual Police-Fire-Sheriff Mass originated as a way to honor the firefighters who lost their lives during the 1946 Herbert Hotel Fire and continues to honor all first responders.

By Mary Powers In a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, members of the legal profession gather at the beginning of each court year

By Rev. Vincent Woo, J.C.D. The content of this piece is drawn from Father Vincent Woo’s article titled “Historical Development of the Times of Ordinations: A

The Church traditionally dedicates the month of September to Our Lady of Sorrows, a title given to Mary that recalls the deep sorrows she felt as she witnessed the passion and death of her Son, not only as His mother, but also as a co-redemptrix.

Get to know our new superintendent of Catholic Schools

The celebration included a procession through the town, a blessing by Archbishop Cordileone and Mass for the solemnity of the Assumption.

“Let’s bring our Lord out into the streets, not just around the church…Our faith is not meant to be hidden, it’s meant to be shown, shown to others.”

Standing before the Archbishop, the candidates resolved to complete their preparation for Holy Orders, to form their heart and mind to faithfully serve Christ the Lord and His Body, the Church.

The bi-lingual parish event attended by several hundred was a special day of liturgical worship and celebration commemorating the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15.

This year’s event was different in that it was the first time the group was able to come together with the new Superintendent of Schools, Chris Fisher, and the new Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools, Angela Johnson, Ed.D., who shared their vision for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

The culmination of St. Dominic Catholic Church’s 150 year Jubilee celebration occurred on August 4 with a special parish-wide Mass celebrated by the Master of the Order of Preachers, Father Gerard Timoner who made a special trip from Rome for the event.

As a Catholic education leader, Dr. Johnson brings to this position a wealth of experience at all levels of education. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Mission and Catholic Identity at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas.

“In a way, we were living that missionary spirit that St. Junipero Serra had when establishing the missions and evangelizing to different people.”

This is a first in a series of stories and reflections from the Perpetual Pilgrims on the St. Junipero Serra Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. The following is an interview with San Francisco seminarians Dereck Delgado and Jimmy Valesco.

“A Eucharistic marriage starts with us as individuals being fed by Christ in the Eucharist, then going out and feeding one another and the world around us.”

Thus, in celebration of the love found in marriage and family, we, the Catholic bishops of California, are overjoyed to introduce ‘Radiate Love’ – a new initiative to encourage and inspire marriage.

Cardinal Tagle relayed a message from the Holy Father: “Conversion to the Eucharist.”

Sister Josephine Garrett delivered a hopeful keynote that acknowledged our brokenness as humans and as a Church, pointing to Jesus as the Divine Physician who longs to meet us in that place of woundedness and make us new.

“Knowledge can make someone great, but only love can make a saint. And the road to love is repentance.”

The first day of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress included Eucharistic Adoration, Sacrament of Reconciliation, opportunities to browse exhibitions on Eucharistic Miracles and the Shroud of Turin, and veneration of the relics of the saints of the four routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Blessed Carlos Acutis.

On an early muggy morning in Indianapolis, the streets were quiet as the first pilgrims of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes made their way to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A small group walked with the St. Junipero Serra Route perpetual pilgrims, finishing their more than 2,500 mile procession that began in San Francisco.

Sister André Marie Vuong stepped away from a career as a pharmacist after a life-changing encounter with the Blessed Sacrament.

“We are starting something very positive here, something that is very needed,” said Archbishop Cordileone after blessing the school. “I couldn’t be prouder of you and more grateful.”

In June, the arm of St. Jude Thaddeus visited four parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Thousands came to venerate the relic of the

What’s the secret behind this quality of care? Catholic values. Bella provides life-affirming, lifelong care for any patient, in any walk of life, whether insured, underinsured or self-pay.

Visitors to the Vatican are often surprised to learn that several important structures have stood on the very spot where St. Peter’s Basilica currently stands. These structures tell the story of how the most famous Catholic church in the world came to be.

Deacon David Mees ordained to the priesthood June 15: “The purpose of a priest is to bring Jesus to the people, and the people to Jesus. It’s as simple as that.”

“Behold the heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love. … I promise you that my heart shall expand itself to shed in abundance the influence of its divine love upon those who shall thus honor it, and cause it to be honored.”

The arm of Saint Jude Thaddeus, venerated in Rome from ancient times, is currently on pilgrimage in the United States, making stops in more than 100 cities. The relics will be visiting the Archdiocese June 14, 15, 20, and 22.

On May 10, Archbishop Cordileone rededicated a chapel in the mansion on the property of Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park. The new chapel brings together history from different parts of the Archdiocese.

Rini Stefani, Mary Ann Robbiano, and Marion Moreno seem to back up research that suggests faith, family, and friendship are keys to longevity. All three longtime St. Raymond parishioners — who happen to be good friends — are 100 years old.

Thousands join in launch of National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in San Francisco.

View pictures from the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in the Archdiocese of San Francisco!

View new schedule and travel advisory.

The Office of Faith Formation honored catechists from parishes across the Archdiocese on Thursday, May 2 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. The annual St. Pius X dinner honored the many years of service for those present from five years to 55 years.

Catholics gathered on May 7 and 8 to pray for the persecuted Church in Hong Kong and China.

“It is truly an honor to represent our Archdiocese on the Serra Route…I’d like to ask readers to please pray for us.”

On April 28, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone celebrated Mass to a standing-room-only crowd at the church, installing Carmelite Father Gregory Houck as pastor and confirming four young women in the faith. Following Mass, the Archbishop blessed the parish’s new prayer garden.  

“Congratulations to the students who entered, and thanks to their teachers who encouraged them,” said Valerie Schmalz, director of the Office of Human Life and Dignity. “We are also grateful to the many Respect Life volunteers who helped judge the entries.”

We are all called to act as stewards to help reach future generations with the Church’s message of faith, love and hope. Robert and Barbara McCullough’s support and commitment exemplified their deep love of our Catholic faith. They are a great inspiration and their commitment lives on.

At 88, St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Noreen O’Connor has certainly earned her rest, even if she is unlikely to take it. As she approaches her 70th jubilee on April 21, she told Catholic San Francisco she has “no plans to stop working.”

“Prayer is where we meet God,” master catechist John Michael Reyes told Catholic San Francisco. “Jesus didn’t tell them to read the Torah,” he said. “He was saying, ‘I just talk to My Father.’”

Like its namesake angel who told Mary, “do not be afraid” after her pregnancy with Jesus was revealed, the Gabriel Project promised the couple it could help them and assured them of what Gabriel said to Mary: “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Father John A. Balleza passed into eternal life over Easter weekend at the Contemplatives of St. Joseph Monastery at Mater Dolorosa at the age of 70 years. 

San Francisco-born Father Gibson was an active Dominican priest until three months before his death on March 11 at age 92. One month prior to his death, Father Gibson was featured in a story on the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the Easter issue of Catholic San Francisco.

“Continuing education for priests is important to be able to understand the world and how to best minister in that world. We wouldn’t be able to engage in this continuing education for priests if not for the support of the Annual Appeal.” 

Archbishop Joseph Alemany, OP, the first Archbishop of San Francisco, desired to build a college in the city shortly after the Archdiocese was founded. Purchasing a piece of farmland property, he founded the first St. Mary’s College in 1863.

Rev. Joseph E. Richard passed into eternal life on Friday, March 29 at Redwood Acres Residential Home at the age of 94 years. 

The Mass is the eternal sacrifice of the Lamb of God for your sins, for my sins, that saves the entire world. Here are 14 meditations on the Eucharist beginning in the Book of Genesis.

As the Church celebrates the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood on Holy Thursday each year, the stunning window at St. Anne’s is fit for meditation, giving us a glimpse into the beauty of the new covenant and the gift of the sacramental life of the Church, carried on by her priests in apostolic tradition.

On Thursday, March 21, Archbishop Cordileone gathered with priests and lay faithful of the Archdiocese at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption for the annual Chrism Mass. 

On Saturday, March 16, more than 200 Catholic youth singers in grades 4-12 from different Catholic schools and parishes across Northern California united as one combined choir for the 2024 Pueri Cantores Northern California Catholic Youth Choral Festival & Mass.

St. Peter Catholic School in San Francisco is the first school in the Archdiocese to implement this unique program.

Even halfhearted followers of March Madness can find religion in the sport when spotting an iconic fixture at the home games of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team — a 104-year-old dynamo known to her fans as Sister Jean.

“We often fail to realize that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an encounter with the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, just like the Eucharist is.”

The California Catholic Conference announced today that it is vehemently opposed to SB 1196, the proposed bill that would expand the definitions for eligibility and eliminate residency requirements for those seeking suicide options from their physicians.

Monsignor Labib was ordained a priest on June 7, 1975. He was a priest with the Patriarca of Jerusalem and in residence in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

“Family catechesis” is the heart of St. Bartholomew’s parish religious education program, serving about 30 families. “My goal is simple. It’s to make disciples,” said JacobTolentino.

Participants joined from across Archdiocesan parishes to engage in reflections and discussions designed to help shape the Church’s understanding of herself and her mission of evangelization and forming disciples. All Catholic were invited to participate in the local Synod process during Lent.

More than 100 people gathered together in prayer for the 18th annual Ecumenical service of Salutations to the Holy Cross, drawing Catholic and Greek Orthodox faithful from across counties.

“It’s our mission to be with those who are in need and help in any way we can. It’s our presence, wherever we are, whatever we do. We don’t ever stop.”

“We pray for our clergy, staff, ministers, parishioners, neighbors, law enforcement officers and their families, asking for Your healing touch to mend the physical and emotional wounds caused by this senseless act,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “Bless and guide our community, and guide us in the ways of justice, peace, and love.

On Sunday, March 3, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone joined St. Anselm’s parish for Fr. Gabriel Wanker’s pastor installation ceremony. The joyful celebration honored Fr. Wanker’s Nigerian heritage. Concelebrating the Mass were Father Raymond Tyohemba, Father Sebastian Bula, Father Celestine Tyowua, and Father Cameron Faller.

By helping educators with some of the financial burdens of professional development, archdiocesan Catholic schools are benefiting from the knowledge they bring back to the schools and students they serve.

Archbishop Cordileone spoke with Catholic San Francisco about his favorite memories and family traditions surrounding the Festa di San Guiseppe.

More than 130 women from across the Archdiocese gathered at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church on Saturday, February 24, for the Archdiocesan Women’s Conference.

“Tonight is the fruit of the living faith of so many who are seeking to know and spread the love of Jesus Christ., said Archbishop Cordileone. “Thank you!”

A third-generation Hong Kong Catholic and MIT-educated engineer and his wife are funding a unique new University of San Francisco service scholarship to build a bridge between campus and community.

All of us, as Catholics, use our gifts and talents to support and serve others. A way we do so is through supporting the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco is pleased to announce that Chris Fisher will be the next Superintendent of the Archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools. Chris will assume the position of Superintendent on July 1, 2024, after completing his role as Executive Director of the Portsmouth Institute for Faith and Culture at Portsmouth Abbey and School, a Benedictine monastery and Catholic boarding school in Rhode Island.

It’s precisely their Jewish faith, tradition, practices and beliefs that lay the foundation for their belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

The theme of atonement takes us to the very heart of the mission of Jesus Christ. Revealing the love of God as a mortal man, while bearing the conditions of sin-wrought estrangement, God’s Son atoned for the sins of the whole world (cf. 1 Jn 2:2). Atonement is the form that the love of God takes in his Son, Jesus Christ, under sin-wrought conditions – a love than which no greater can be conceived. Christians in every age should know and witness to the God of Jesus Christ in precisely these terms.

“To our dear consecrated religious, and especially those of you celebrating milestone anniversaries of your consecration this year, we express to you a resounding and emphatic thank you to match the resounding and emphatic yes you gave to Jesus Christ in accepting this extraordinary call in your life,” said Archbishop Cordileone.

God’s design for marriage is to take two “opposite” people, opposite in the sense of equal and complementary, to unite them, and through their union and communion, their struggles and triumphs together, teach each of them to become more selfless, and ultimately arrive at the true happiness God wants for all of us. 

Lent is the season of grace in which the desert can become once more – in the words of the prophet Hosea – the place of our first love (cf. Hos 2:16-17). God shapes his people, he enables us to leave our slavery behind and experience a Passover from death to life. Like a bridegroom, the Lord draws us once more to himself, whispering words of love to our hearts.

The Office of Consecrated Life, based out of the pastoral center in San Francisco, is focused on serving and supporting professed religious and consecrated persons in the Archdiocese. This includes 36 congregations and 300 sisters, as well as consecrated virgins and hermits—two other vocations within the consecrated life of the Church. In the future, Sister Diane hopes to expand support for religious brothers.

Can today’s Catholic educators help shape new generations of Catholics who embrace the real presence and its centrality to the faith? Catholic San Francisco talked to several Catholic school administrators across the Archdiocese about how they are recultivating a “Eucharistic culture” in their schools — one shared by administrators, faculty and students alike.

My role as superintendent has been to sustain the work of the Church by supporting our presidents, principals, teachers and staff spiritually and professionally, creating a climate where Christ is at the center of all we do and ensuring that every aspect of the school, from finance to discipline, is driven by our mission.

To gather before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ  to show him that we still strive to live according to his words to his disciples, “that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17.11), and to open our hearts to Him to confess what we still lack, and ask for Him to journey with us, as He journeyed on the road to Emmaus, teaching us all that we must know, before we may break bread together at His table, in the Eucharist.

January 2024 commemorates the 60th anniversary of the historic, break-through meeting in Jerusalem on the slopes of the Mount of Olives between Pope St. Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. This meeting provided a catalyst for open dialogue toward hopeful restoration of full communion between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

On Nov. 19, the SI awarded their highest honor, the Christ the King Award, to Drucker, a 1958 alum.
Joining the faculty of SI in 1965 to teach history and physical education, Drucker began coaching the boys’ basketball team a year later, leading the team to a championship win.

Stella Maris students again earned top honors in the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. This year, the students wrote their history essays on American musical composer, and 17th Director of the “The President’s Own” Marine Band John Philip Sousa (1854-1932).

St. Paul’s life was marked by travel and missionary work, founding Christian communities in Greece and Asia Minor, and encouraging Christians in various communities by writing to them and praying for their flourishing. Today, his spiritual daughters live out this same call, fostering spiritual communities that spread the good news of the Gospel through various mediums including books, blogs, social media, and videos.

Curtin siblings Joey, Danny, and Jennifer grew up in Noe Valley and the Cayunga Terrace neighborhoods in San Francisco, attending St. Paul Catholic School. While high school separated them, they have joined forces again at Archbishop Riordan High School.

21st-century Eucharistic miracles provide us with validated scientific evidence that it truly is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus.

“What started out to be a one-year emergency shelter is entering its 35th year,” said Michael Pappas, who succeeded Semel as executive director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council 18 years ago. Pappas said the city depends upon the Winter Shelter to augment its facilities during the colder seasons.

Preparing for the 2024 Walk for Life West Coast? Join us for the many events around town!

Pope St. John Paul II writes in the concluding meditations of his great document on suffering, quoting an earlier document from the Second Vatican Council: Man cannot “fully find himself” except through a sincere gift of himself. There is a peace that comes from the acknowledgement that the idols of this world – wealth, pleasure, power and honor – cannot and do not satisfy.

Grieving during Advent can feel a lot like the part of the Christmas story where danger is lurking in the darkness. While most people are singing carols and decorating Christmas trees, those who are grieving are anticipating a Christmas without their loved one and dreading its arrival.

“You can’t talk about the coming of Jesus, without talking about why he came,” said Father Michaels, who has crafted Jesse Tree ornaments for the parish Jesse tree with as much care and forethought as he creates his glass ornaments.

Yet if Catholic fiction is to do justice to the mystery of grace, then its own portrayal of the workings of grace must be as non-coercive as is grace itself. Just as God, in offering grace, leaves the person free to accept or reject the gift, so the Catholic writer, in telling her story, should leave the reader free … to see or remain blind to the grace-informed depth of the story.

For the second year in a row, Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Navato hosted a Marian Exhibit from Dec. 7 – 14, displaying statues and other Marian images from the homes of its parishioners. Chaired by six volunteers, the 2023 collection was separated into months, highlighting the different feast days of Our Lady throughout the year.

During the final days of Advent, the Church offers an ancient and timeless way of anticipating the celebration of Christmas: the O Antiphons. These are special prayers that recall the whole of salvation history and anticipate the birth of Christ.

Spectacular ‘life-size’ nativity scene attracts many faithful to Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption By Francisco Valdez Five Cathedral of St. Mary of the

St. Vincent de Paul School in San Francisco held a celebration of Visual Arts and Performing Arts (VAPA) in November, highlighting student accomplishments with a theater festival, art show, and family style meal.

The drawings are part of the Survivor Studio Project, which offers middle and high school students a creative, experiential way to learn about the Holocaust. The Farkas Center, a Bay Area nonprofit that brings Holocaust education into Catholic schools, initiated the program in 2020 to keep students engaged when schools were closed during the early months of COVID-19.

Among all these signs of suffering, right now, the United States and the West in general are suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. The suffering of loneliness in the United States has only gotten worse. Earlier this year, the Surgeon General’s report noted that this massive social disconnect causes health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Beginning at All Souls Catholic Church early in the morning, the pilgrimage travels to Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma for a quick stop and then continues to the cathedral. The pilgrimage is followed by devotions to Our Lady and Mass with the Archbishop. The many pilgrims who travel through the city carry intentions with them for friends and family who need prayers or in gratitude for prayers answered.

Fifty years ago, upon seeing the shifting conversation in abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe vs Wade, Father Francesco Filice and a group of Catholics in the Archdiocese of San Francisco decided that the issue of abortion and the dignity of every person needed to be fought in the public square and in the arena of ideas.

The sisters joyfully launched the holy year with a procession and the opening of the holy door on Wednesday, November 29, along with their morning Mass. A picture of Mother Mary Magdelene was prominently displayed on the altar, honoring their foundress.

Enduring profound physical and psychological pain, Servant of God Cora Louise Evans pushed for the mission commissioned by Christ with whom she reported sharing intimate conversations and precious moments in His earthly life.

November is Black Catholic History Month, a time to remember and celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics.

The 59-unit shelter, formerly the Oasis Inn, is in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The motel temporarily housed homeless women and children, including domestic violence survivors during the pandemic, and was on the brink of shuttering when St. Anthony’s stepped up, agreeing to purchase the facility. A major gift from the Kaplan Family Trust was the cornerstone that launched the project.

The Office of Faith Formation held their annual conference on November 4 at St. Matthew Church and School in San Mateo. Drawing more than 700 catechists, directors of religious education, and other parish leaders, participants had the opportunity to come together in prayer and renew their faith. The bilinugal event featured more than 25 speakers and was the first in-person conference since 2019.

“In Psalm 82, the highest judge of all gives a plan of action for judges, ‘Defend the weak and orphans, uphold the laws for the poor and oppressed, rescue the meek and the needy.’

In the month of November, as we remember those who have gone before us, we also hold deceased priests in our prayers—those who have impacted our lives over the years and those we may not have known in this life. In November, the Archdiocese of San Francisco particularly honors the many deceased priests who have served the faithful, most of whom are buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.

Religious orders and communities, particularly those blessed with acres of productive land, have long relied on small cottage industries to support their charisms. A notable few in California have cultivated a solid income stream with handmade gift items that are especially popular for Christmas giving.

But he felt “an inner tug” toward something that did not point toward marriage. The thought of the priesthood grew stronger, and he signed up for a discernment retreat. “I didn’t want to live out the rest of my life not knowing whether I was called to be a priest,” he said.

Father Edward A. Bohnert was born in Charleston, West Virginia in 1949 to his parents Edward A. Bohnert Jr., and Dawn W. Bohnert. Ed was the second of six children.

On Saturday, October 14, the Knights of Columbus Council St. Joseph the Workman at Star of the Sea Parish held their 4th Annual public Rosary in front of the Richmond District Police Station in San Francisco. 

Marriage is an icon of God’s love for His people, and our marriages are called to show that love to the world. The marriage vows themselves are a promise to love our spouse as Christ loved us: freely, fully, faithfully, and fruitfully. 

On behalf of our retired priests and everyone committed to their care, we thank you for making the luncheon – and the lively social event that preceded it – a fantastic celebration for our retired priests and everyone who comes to honor them.

By Laura Elmore Some 45 years after joining the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin at Our Lady of Angels parish in Burlingame, Los Angeles Bishop

Love introduces a “completely new dimension” to the concept of suffering (“Salvifici Doloris,” Par. 14). While the Old Testament addresses suffering within the limits of justice, the New Testament, precisely because it extends justice into the realm of charity, moves suffering out of the merely temporal realm and into the supernatural.

The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco hosted their annual Gala showcasing their rich cultural heritage.  For the past 13 years, the Archdiocesan Filipino Ministry has promoted the best in Filipino culture and enriched the multicultural life of the local church through devotional practices and religious-cultural celebrations that embrace a vision of a church that is open and welcoming to all.

“By producing good fruit, by your hard work and your dedication…you continue to be an example to all of us of selfless care and devotion. May the fruit that you produce transform and change our towns, our cities, our states, our nation, and our global community.”

The Archdiocese of San Francisco held its annual Rosary Rally on Saturday, October 7. The day fell on the first Saturday, a special day dedicated to Our Lady each month, and also on the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.

How to start a daily prayer life? This question may seem unrelated to fatherhood at first, but there is a profound relation between prayer and paternity. This relation is rooted in the fertile ground of the Catholic faith: divine paternity, which is the source and summit of the Holy Trinity.

The solemnity of St. Francis is day of great rejoicing and festivities honoring the patron saint of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

More than 70 years ago, influenced by the joyful presence of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet through grade school and high school, Sister Noreen O’Connor entered religious life.

The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, tucked in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, held their St. Padre Pio Festival on September 24. Partnering with the Saint Padre Pio Foundation, the National Shrine hosted the relics of St. Padre Pio, which brought hundreds of people to the Shrine throughout the day.

St. Michael the Archangel, the leader of the angelic army and great defender of heaven, has also been given to us as an advocate in our earthly journey and battles against temptation. He is thought to have been Jesus’ guardian on earth and today is referred to as the guardian angel of the Eucharist.

Since the first Priests Retirement Luncheon in 2011, nearly $2.6 million has been raised for the Priests Retirement Fund. This support helps provide financial security for our retired priests by alleviating their living expenses, health care and extended care costs. It is critical in our ability to care for these special men, and it helps ensure they are cared for in the same way they have cared for us.

More than 350 people gathered at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 20, for the REBOOT! event with Chris Stefanick, president of Real Life Catholic, author, speaker, and television host. Attendees, including many youth and young adults, came from all three counties of the Archdiocese.

As part of the Eucharistic Revival in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and living the consecration that was made in 2017 to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Archdiocese will hold its 12th annual Rosary Rally on Oct. 7, 2023, on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

On Saturday, September 16, the Archdiocesan Filipino Ministry celebrated the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila at St. Mark’s Church in Belmont.  Following the Mass celebrated by Father Peter Eugenio, there was a short procession with the statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz from the Church to the parish hall. A reception was held after the procession.

On Sunday, September 10, civic and religious leaders join Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and concelebrating priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco for the 75th annual Police-Fire-Sheriff Mass at St. Anne of the Sunset Catholic Church.

On Saturday, September 9, the main chapel at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University was filled with bright morning light and friends and family who had gathered to support San Francisco seminarian David Mees as Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone ordained Mees as a transitional deacon, bringing him one step closer to priestly ordination.

Annual Mass honoring San Francisco’s first responders began nearly 80 years ago after historic hotel fire

After one year at the helm of Catholic Charities, Ellen Hammerle talks about “rebuilding” from the inside out after COVID-19

When a student enters one of our Catholic high schools, they are treated as one of God’s beloved children, created in His image and likeness, and as such, inherently good. In other words, all of our students are beloved because they are created by God.

Pope St. John Paul II continues his meditation on suffering by discussing one of the causes of suffering — evil in the form of personal sin. He writes: “The conscious and free violation of this good by man is not only a transgression of the law but at the same time an offense against the Creator, who is the first Lawgiver.”

It seems that when we truly love things, our heart struggles to find similarities between those things. Perhaps that is why I am often struck by how much baseball resembles the Catholic spiritual life.

Four Perpetual Adoration Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament from the congregation’s community in San Francisco shared their personal experiences with EWTN News at World Youth Day which took place in Lisbon, Portugal.

Rev. Msgr. J. Warren Holleran, after a long illness, died on July 30, 2023 at the age of 95.

“When you share about your own life and how God has worked miracles in it, I think that story is a way to reach youth and young adults.”

Memories, I realized, aren’t just a part of bricks and mortar, but are shaped by weather, the renderings of the earth, the lay of the land and meals shared. Our houses are part of a much bigger picture, animated by love, sacrifice, ritual and seasons that make up what it truly means to be home.

At Archbishop Cordileone’s request, and with appreciation to the Priest Personnel Board: Please see, below, the clergy announcements for fiscal year 2023-2024.

Perspectives from Catholic school students on topics of faith By Sam Meraw Without water, devastating effects can occur such as the death and decline of

On Sunday, July 16, the Carmelite Monastery in San Francisco held its annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Each year, the Carmelites offer Masses on nine consecutive days leading up to the feast day. This year, the celebration included morning Mass with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, all-day adoration, a Eucharistic procession, and Mass celebrated by Carmelite Father Peter Mary Vecellio to finish the novena.

The St. Anthony Foundation has expanded its services to vulnerable families by buying the shuttered Oasis Inn in San Francisco’s Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The Oasis will continue to serve as a permanent emergency family shelter with expanded services.

“You can’t run against nature. You have to work with it or it will run you over. Nature just is….”

Catholic Charities partners with city, county and state agencies to help make aging services possible in each of the archdiocese’s three counties. This currently includes the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, San Mateo County Health, Aging and Adult Services, and the support of local foundations, civic organizations and private donors.

A talk on parental rights and religious freedom and a separate event focusing on Christianity in Lebanon are the highlights of Religious Freedom Week (June 22 – June 29) in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops designa

A shield from the competitiveness of the world, a spiritual father sows seeds of hope, encourages forgiveness and teaches how to sacrifice in a way that only a father can do. He answers doubts and reproposes the faith when it is shaken. In this way, a spiritual father helps men and women answer the call of God and step into the greatness for which they are made. In a culture overtly hostile to the faith, such fathers gather islands of humanity and are needed more than ever.

By Christina Gray The heart of the Catholic faith — the Eucharist — was explored, experienced, and reverenced by more than 1,500 people at a

Father Peter Prusakiewicz, a member of the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel, brought the message of Divine Mercy and St. Michael the Archangel to St. Veronica church parishioners for a two-night healing mission on June 6 – 7. Each evening included a healing Mass, Eucharistic adoration and  a blessing with a first-class relic of St. Faustina.

On Sunday, June 4, Archbishop Cordileone joined the vibrant parish community of Our Lady of Angels (OLA) in Burlingame for a joyful day celebrating the opening of their new garden. The event included Mass with the Archbishop followed by a blessing of the garden.

Joined by Sister M. Juan, delegate of the Superior General, Sister M. Joseph, MC, Sister Ancy, Counselor from the Contemplative branch of the Society, Sister Paula Marie, Local Regional Superior, and Sr. Marie do Carmo, Formation Coordinator, 11 sisters made their final profession of vows on May 24.

Thousands came to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Redwood City on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, to venerate the relics of St. Padre Pio, coming from as far as Fairfield and Salinas.

Crowning the Blessed Mother in May is a long-standing tradition in the Church and the Archdiocese. Parishes and schools have their own unique way of crowning Mary. St. Matthew School Principal, Marc Nava, writes about their tradition for Catholic San Francisco.

Santo Cristo Society of San Mateo County held their annual Festa do Santo Cristo dos Milagres on May 13 and 14, the first since the pandemic.

A celebration of 60 and 70 years of religious life took place Sunday, April 23, at the Sisters of the Presentation Motherhouse in San Francisco.

The doctrine of the Real Presence asserts that in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is literally and wholly present—body and blood, soul and divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and fellow priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco gathered on May 10 to recognize six Jubilarian priests celebrating 25- and 60-year anniversaries of ordination.

In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, revealing to them the importance of devotion to her Immaculate Heart — a mother’s heart, filled with love for her Son and also for all humanity. Yet, it is deeply wounded by the sins committed against God and her heart. It was a message from a mother. A request for reparations, but also prayers for peace.

Nearly 250 catechists, priests and parishioners gathered on Thursday, May 4, to celebrate those who selflessly give of their time, treasure, and talent to form souls in faith formation programs in parishes across the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone spent the day at Junipero Serra High School on Monday, May 1, where he blessed the new Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation, spoke with students, toured classrooms, and met with theology teachers and campus ministers.

May is a special month — it’s no mere coincidence that the Church dedicates the most colorful month of the year to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. A popular tradition within the Church that has endured through the centuries is the May crowning ceremony. And as with most Catholic traditions, the history of how it came to be helps us Catholics to better appreciate the richness of the ritual.

The Dominican Friars hosted a fundraising garden party on April 22 to advance the order’s mission in an apostolic age.

The National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year, grassroots initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It launched nationally on June 19, 2022, the feast of Corpus Christi. The bishops hope the initiative will restore and reinforce the essential Catholic devotion to the mystery of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Students welcomed Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco to speak about the Church and Catholic perspective surrounding the death penalty as part of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory juniors’ preparation for the most intensive research project in ethics class all year.

We pray for our diaconate candidates that they may continue to discern and heed to the calling of the Holy Spirit. 

The word “conversion” has at its root the verb, “convertir,” meaning “to turn around; to turn toward.” This Easter, as hundreds of thousands of new Catholics enter the Catholic Church worldwide, let us consider, as we read these local stories of conversion, our own call to lifelong conversion.

The “Capuchin Family Kitchen” Food Truck made its debut on Palm Sunday weekend in San Francisco. Based in Los Angeles, the food truck visited the city to prepare for a San Francisco version based out of the National Shrine of St. Francis in North Beach. 

The study of rhetoric involves the art of effective communication, including the use of language, persuasion, and delivery, to influence or persuade an audience.

On Saturday, April 1, a time capsule was unearthed from the foot of Mt. Davidson Cross in San Francisco in front of a large crowd of onlookers.  Ninety years ago to the day, San Francisco officials and community members gathered at the top of Mt. Davidson Cross to witness Boy Scouts of America Troop 88 bury a sealed copper box at the foot of the Cross to commemorate the first Easter Sunrise Service held there on April 1, 1923.

Nearly 100 years after his death, Irish-born Father Peter C. Yorke (1864-1925) is still remembered in the Archdiocese of San Francisco for his fierce and feisty defense of the Catholic faith, Irish nationalism and immigrant laborers.

It is unsurprising that St. John Paul II, in his meditation on the meaning of suffering, explores the problem of human pain and suffering in light of the biblical character of Job. We discover in examining the Book of Job not only rich content for some of the reasons behind suffering but also the way in which suffering undoubtedly affects our relationship with God.

We often say that Lent is a journey, and so it is. It is like the travel through various lands before we reach the Holy Land. On Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, we finally arrive and enter Jerusalem with our Lord.  The next few days, in the services of Holy Week, we experience the Gospel account of our Lord’s passion, death, and Resurrection.

School choirs came together to participate in the Archdiocesan Choral Festival at Riordan High School on March 16. This was the first time that the festival has taken place since the onset of the pandemic.

Each year, the priests of the Archdiocese join Archbishop Cordileone at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption for the annual Chrism Mass. Traditionally, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday morning, but due to Holy Week schedules, the Archdiocese will celebrate the Mass on March 30, the Thursday prior to Holy Week.

A light in darkness, bringing Christ to the pagan world of Ireland, St. Patrick courageously fought for the souls of the Irish people. For that reason, he is revered as their patron saint and a co-patron of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption hosted on March 4 the 2023 Northern California Youth Choir Festival and Mass with 10 schools participating from as far away as Reno, Nevada. Pueri Cantores, the sponsor of the festival, is the Vatican-based student choral organization of the Catholic Church.

Parishioners of St. Finn Barr Parish in San Francisco have responded enthusiastically to their pastor’s invitation to pray for local seminarians this Lent.

The service includes an opportunity for Catholic and Orthodox communities to joined together in prayer and to venerate a relic of the True Cross of Jesus.

It was quite an exciting science fair season for all the junior scientists at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School.  Coming off of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was also the first science fair held in person in two years.

This year, Marin Catholic High School has gone through the process of rewriting the school motto and has adopted “Duc in Altum,” Latin for “cast into the deep.” This change comes with a new focus not only on academics, but on bringing students into a deeper relationship with God.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of America, Most Honorable Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, met on Thursday, March 2, with The Most Reverend Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, at his residence on the grounds of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone welcomed catechumens and candidates from 37 parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, along with their sponsors, to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption on Feb. 26 for the Rite of Election.

Catholic men from five neighboring dioceses gathered on Saturday, February 25 at St Pius X Catholic Church for the annual SF Bay Area Catholic Men’s Conference.  Attendees heard presentations by Catholic speakers and had the opportunity to share practical ideas to live out their faith in discussion with other Catholic men from throughout the Bay Area.            

Excell Network helps formerly incarcerated men and women rebuild productive, meaningful lives outside prison walls through educational scholarships, personal development, mentorship and community and peer support. The program was conceived two years ago by Julio Escobar, Restorative Justice coordinator for the Archdiocese’s Office of Human Life & Dignity.

The rupture of a family through divorce or separation is a destabilizing event for everyone, but it is children who often carry their wounds into adulthood. This appears to be true no matter what the circumstances of the divorce, no matter your age at the time of the divorce, and indeed, no matter whether you are a monarch or movie star.

The Knights of Columbus Council at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption received the Contest of Champions Award on January 27.  The award was presented to District Deputy Wallace Moore during a recent St. Francis Chapter meeting.

During this liturgical season, the Lord takes us with him to a place apart. While our ordinary commitments compel us to remain in our usual places and our often repetitive and sometimes boring routines, during Lent we are invited to ascend “a high mountain” in the company of Jesus and to live a particular experience of spiritual discipline – ascesis – as God’s holy people.

We often hear it said that “Jesus meets us where we are.” Of course, Jesus doesn’t just leave us where we are but calls us to fullness of life, to somewhere greater than where we were before. God is always the one who takes the initiative and calls us to respond.

“Thank you for living and persevering in the Sacrament of Matrimony. The world needs you to live this life-long communion of body, mind and spirit well, so that it may understand the life-giving love of God and that future generations may become capable of receiving and sharing His love.

The Chesterton Academy of St. James, the new classical high school in Menlo Park, held its inaugural Mass of the Holy Spirit and school blessing on Feb. 8. Archbishop Cordileone celebrated Mass in the main chapel at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University for students, parents, faculty, staff, board members and other supporters of the school.

The idea that suffering, or rather the search for its meaning, belongs to “man’s transcendence,” gives it a vocational quality. John Paul cites the apostle Paul in his epistle to the Colossians (1:24): “In my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.” Man is mysteriously called to participate in suffering and therefore to really and truly participate in the salvation offered by the Church for the Church. Furthermore, Paul writes: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.” (Par 1, SD)

Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States highlighting the faith, excellence and service of schools around the country and in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

On May 15, 2022, Pope Francis canonized Blessed Titus Brandsma as a saint, and shortly after, supporters asked that he be named as a patron saint of journalists alongside St. Francis de Sales, who has been the patron of journalists and writers since 1923.

Every year, the Archdiocese of San Francisco celebrates a Mass in honor of the Chinese New Year. The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was the host location for the Mass on January 28.

Imagine a world where empathy was a superpower that generated creative and successful solutions to human problems. Junipero Serra High School students can not only imagine that world but are invited into it with the Design-Led Innovation Program.

This June, the first wave of locally trained and certified Catholic school principals will be prepared to start K-8 school leadership positions in the fall. These are individuals with years of service in our Catholic school system who have discerned that the next step for them professionally will be to take on a principal position in a Catholic school within the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

‘Visible Learning’ is an intentional teaching method bringing clarity and confidence to both teachers and students

Amid the hustle and bustle of high school life, there is one place on Marin Catholic High School’s campus where students can find solace — in the magnificent St. Francis Chapel.

When Sister Mary Euphemia, PVBM, passed on to her eternal reward on Jan. 17, 2023, after an 85-year vocation, her death marked the end of a Catholic family dynasty of sorts in San Francisco.

By educating the whole child, with Jesus at the center of all we do, the students and families we serve are part of our own family of faith, where students are and will always remain our top priority.

While mission and Catholic identity is the first of four domain areas in the benchmarks and standards, it is not merely one domain area among others. It serves as the foundation of all other domain areas and is what makes the other domain areas unique and our schools unique. Commitment to mission and Catholic identity amplifies and elevates every aspect of a Catholic school as grace elevates nature.

For the 17th year, Archbishop Cordileone and Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Gerasimos joined together in prayer during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Archbishop Cordileone

Prayers of thanksgiving, renewed hope and a spirit of perseverance infused the 2023 Walk for Life weekend, beginning with  the Vigil for Life Mass on Jan. 20, followed by the Walk for Life Mass, rally and walk the following day.

On Jan. 14, the Filipino Ministry hosted the annual Santo Niño Fiesta honoring the infant Jesus and the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines. The celebration included Mass celebrated by Father Eduardo Dura, parochial vicar at St. Augustine Church in South San Francisco, and concelebrated by priests from across the Archdiocese. The event also included a luncheon where the Santo Niño statue was processed in and honored with dancing and music.

One of the Faith in Action Programs sponsored by the Knights of Columbus is a Free Throw Championship for boys and girls from the ages of nine to 14 to encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. 

Preparing for the 2023 Walk for Life West Coast? Join us for the many events around town!

When those seeking shelter come to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin, there is room at the inn – and sustenance and services and support.

From a small seaside German town through the heights of corporate America to a destination that amazed his family, friends and colleagues, Nils Behnke has kept to a faith-directed path on his life’s odyssey.

St. Vincent de Paul Church was full of joy and excitement on the Fourth Sunday of Advent as Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone presided at the 10:00 a.m. Mass to install their new pastor, Father Arturo Albano.

Ten years after the devastating 1906 earthquake, San Francisco hosted the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition celebrating the newly rebuilt city. Constructing a “city within a city” by filling in part of the bay to create the Marina District, the exposition lasted from February to December 1915.

Make no mistake, Christmas at Kohl is not Christmas at Kohl’s. Christmas at Kohl is a beloved annual holiday “boutique” that for more than 30 years has brought the school and local community together at Kohl Mansion, the stately English Tudor-style estate that is Mercy High School Burlingame.

“Write a letter to the Christ Child and ask him for the red wagon.”

Predating the foundation of the City of San Francisco, the National Shrine of St. Francis was established in June of 1849. Archbishop Alemany, the first Archbishop of San Francisco, consecrated the Church in 1851 and used it as his Cathedral for three years.

From early morning Mañanitas and Masses to the shower of rose petals at Mission Dolores to school reenactments of St. Juan Diego’s encounter with Our Lady, Dec. 12 is a special day in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Each year, the Archdiocese of San Francisco holds a Commissioning Mass to herald the beginning of “Simbang Gabi Masses” widely celebrated in its various parishes during the Christmas season.

You enter your parish church and purple adorns the altar. The Advent candle stands ready to be lit. There is a somber yet anticipatory ambience about the nave, punctuated by the cooling weather outside. The priest begins to process in, and the familiar melody of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” fills the air as the voices of the congregation echo off the walls and rise, carried by the incense as prayers to the heavens above.

A pesar de la lluvia, miles de personas participaron en la peregrinación Cruzada Guadalupana el 3 de diciembre desde la Parroquia de Todas las Almas en el Sur de San Francisco hasta la Catedral de San María de la Asunción en San Francisco, terminando con la Misa con el Arzobispo Salvatore J. Cordileone. Los peregrinos también hicieron una breve parada en Colma, en el Cementerio de la Santa Cruz en su camino a la ciudad.

Despite the rain, thousands participated in the Cruzada Guadalupana pilgrimage on Dec. 3 from All Souls Parish in South San Francisco to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, finishing with Mass with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone. The pilgrims also made a brief stop in Colma at Holy Cross Cemetery on their way to the city.

Baltasar Jaime Martinez Compañón served as Bishop of Trujillo, Peru from 1779 to 1790 at Trujillo Cathedral. During his time in Peru, Bishop Martínez Compañón engaged in research of native customs and local music, architectural ruins and native plants and animals.

The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption was filled with excitement and joy as the parish welcomed its new rector and pastor, Father Kevin Kennedy. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone installed Father Kennedy on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, at the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

By Christina Gray Louis Kolenda was living the high life as a creative director in downtown Manhattan when he had an epiphany over a bowl

From the opening hymn to the greetings at the reception, Contemplative of St. Joseph Father Vito Perrone’s pastor installation was one reflecting humble service, continuing to answer God’s call in his life.

Elizabeth Du Par was not alone as she gulped her grief watching her dying mother gasp for breath. Neither was Lisa Hamrick during her recuperation from sickness and surgery and her mother’s losing struggle with illness and injury.

More than 25 priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco joined Archbishop Cordileone and retired Bishop Daniel Walsh, on Friday, Nov. 4, at Holy Cross Cemetery for the Mass for Deceased Priests.

Immersed in prayer, Filipino immigrant Kyle Franz Laluces, 30, of Daly City, feels a strengthening of his lifelong love for the Church and a surging of confidence in the path he chose following a “sign” from St. Joseph.

The California Catholic Conference released the following statement in response to the passage of Proposition 1

In October and November, the Church reflects on the gift of the rosary and the glory to come for those who remain faithful to Christ and close to Him through the grace of the sacraments.

As the founder of the Contemplatives of St. Joseph, a religious family created to serve the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Father Vito Perrone always imagined creating an urban oasis where people could come and pray.

Pierre Smit, St. Emydius Parish’s longtime “Turkey Guy,” is gearing up with other parishioners and community volunteers to feed the hungry again this holiday season.

Parishioners from across the Archdiocese joined in prayer on October 27 to honor Cardinal Robert McElroy, the first native son of San Francisco to be made a Cardinal. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone hosted the Cardinal for Vespers and a reception.

On the memorial of Pope St. John Paul II, more than 37 married couples from across the Archdiocese gathered at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Redwood City for the Together in Holiness marriage retreat co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the St. John Paul II Foundation.

The St. Thomas More Society gathered at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in North Beach for its annual Red Mass on Oct. 20, celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, and also honored the 2022 St. Thomas More award recipient, Jilma Meneses.

The Blessed Virgin Mary stands alongside her beloved Son as one of the most revered figures in all of human history. And how could she not? God the Father chose her out of all of humanity and eternity to bear His only begotten Son so that whoever believed in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. She birthed and nurtured love Himself, mankind’s only means of salvation, and offered her entire life in worship to Him.

Thwap! The sudden sound jumps out up above the orchestra and interrupts the soaring notes of the altos and sopranos. Thwap! It comes again. Again! And then again. Sixteen times in all, with no rhythm or sense. The sound of mechanical violence jars against the music, which is plaintive, joyous and even triumphant.

The joyous celebration known as the Priests Retirement Luncheon was held on Friday, October 14, at Patron’s Hall in St. Mary’s Cathedral. 

For years, people have walked the so-called California Missions Trail, which ends at Mission San Francisco Solano, the northernmost of the state’s Franciscan missions and the last one built. Now, there’s a new trail picking up where the old trail ends – both literally and symbolically.

The 11 canonized saints of the United States, and the five Blesseds as well as the numerous Venerables who are on the path to official recognition as saints, are a true representation of the best of the Land of the Free.

Catholic medical professionals are standing in the breach against what Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone called ‘very much the throwaway culture,’ tangibly demonstrating Christ’s love by caring for those ill in body and mind.

St. Pius X Catholic Church hosted its 2nd annual Faith and Blue Mass for first responders within the San Mateo County. The Mass was part of the greater National Faith and Blue Weekend honoring first responders and facilitating safer and stronger communities by engaging law enforcement officers and local residents through faith-based organizations.

Father Roland De La Rosa was installed as the pastor of St. Bruno Catholic Church in San Bruno on Sunday, Oct. 9. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone celebrated the Mass, which was followed by a vibrant celebration.

Junípero Serra High School broke ground to mark the start of the construction for a $17.5 million Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation. The 13,000-square-foot learning space, previously known as the Zoph Library, will be reimagined into a state-of-the-art student center.

Hundreds gathered at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco for the 2022 Rosary Rally, celebrating the Archdiocesan Year of the National Eucharistic Revival.

Though it may seem like a distant memory today, there was once a time when the Catholic Church was as much a part of American culture as baseball.

The Solemnity of St. Francis is filled with many celebrations across the Archdiocese each year including traditional pet blessings for families, individuals and even for K9 officers of the police force.

The Annual Blessing of the Animals, a tradition beloved by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, took place Sunday, Oct. 2, inside the gates of St. Boniface Parish in the city’s Tenderloin district.

By Christina Gray Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone joined St. Finn Barr Parish in honoring its patron saint on the weekend of Sept. 25, his feast

In his essay “Why I Am a Catholic,” the British writer and convert G.K. Chesterton explained that one of the things that drew him to the Catholic faith was that “it is the only large attempt to change the world from the inside; working through wills and not laws.”

On Tuesday, Cardinal Joseph Zen’s second day in court in Hong Kong, five witnesses were cross-examined and the magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence to justify a trial.

“You need to have a sense of adventure.” That was what one sister told Sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet Theresa Kvale when she asked her in high school about religious life. This year, Sr. Theresa celebrates 60 years in religious life.

Less than a month after receiving the Cardinal’s biretta from Pope Francis in Rome, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the 80th anniversary of St. Gregory Parish in San Mateo where he served as pastor from 1997 to 2010.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone joined candidates for the diaconate and their families at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on August 31 for the minor rite of the Installation to the Ministry of Lector.

The Adrian Dominican Congregation celebrates the dedication and commitment of 53 Sisters who in 2022 mark their Jubilees, their milestone years of service and dedication to the Church and the Congregation.

Over the past year, the Legion of Mary has celebrated their centennial anniversary. Begun in 1921 by Servant of God Frank Duff in Dublin, Ireland, the Legion of Mary is a lay apostolate whose mission is to serve the spiritual and social welfare of the Church through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces. 

At Archbishop Cordileone’s request, and with appreciation to the Priest Personnel Board, please see, below, the Clergy Announcement for fiscal year 2022-2023.

Over 230 people gathered on Thursday, May 12 to celebrate those who selflessly give of their time, treasure and talent to form souls in faith formation programs in parishes across the Archdiocese.

On March 25 Pope Francis led a celebration of the sacrament of penance and the act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in St. Peter’s Basilica. The following is the full text of the pope’s prepared homily.

BY ED HOPFNER Marriage and family are at the heart of the Church. “The whole Bible can be summed up in five words: God wants

The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary March 25, and that a papal envoy will conduct the same consecration in Fatima

If you are getting regular emails or texts from your pastor or parish, odds are they were sent using software from Flocknote — a Catholic company whose communications tools have been adopted by parishes and dioceses across the country.

For more than two millennia, the star of Bethlehem, which guided the Magi to the city where Jesus was born, has been arousing the curiosity of researchers worldwide.

Is it possible to see God as our friend? Jesus says, I call you friends. If God calls us friends, then we ought to call God our friend. Certainly, God is not a “friend” like our virtual friends on social media. He is a real friend who loves and wills the best for us. But how do we communicate with the divine? It is done through prayer.

Each year, parishioners at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park arrive to midnight Mass in the dark of night to see a great light. The church is unlit, illumined solely by the stained-glass rose window of the Nativity – a reminder of the joy of that first Christmas when Christ, the light of the world, was born in a humble stable.

During the pandemic, parishes innovated. Catholics attended livestream Masses and outdoor Masses in parking lots, on lawns and in school yards. Priests heard confessions through car windows at Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame, and homeless ministries made bag lunches and handed them out at the door of free dining rooms shut down by Covid-19. Bible studies went on Zoom.

On a beautiful, sunshine-filled Saturday, women and men religious representing 11 congregations gathered at Most Holy Redeemer Church on Nov. 13 to serve at the annual barbeque for persons living on the streets of San Francisco.

“No need is foreign to us,” said Marc Bruno hours after canvassing the streets of San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood on a sweltering summer Sunday, handing out thick sandwiches from a local Italian deli to “anyone who is homeless or appears homeless.”

Some perceive a parish as a provider of soul food for the spiritually hungry, offering the Eucharist at every Mass and a menu of ministries to carry out the works of mercy.

Father Moises Agudo was recognized by San Francisco Mayor London Breed as one of nine “unsung heroes” in the city’s successful COVID-19 response, all serving populations in underserved areas of the city.

“These people represent the heartbeat of the city,” Breed said in a ceremony on the steps of City Hall Nov. 15.

When my husband Dan was 11, his parents separated. Like other children in this situation, he started shuttling between two ever-diverging homes. He dealt with feelings of anger, hurt and betrayal, but wasn’t sure where to turn for help or understanding. His parents’ split shook his trust in relationships, raised big questions about his own identity, and, for a time, damaged his relationship with God and the church.

By Col. (retired) Cameron Song Sellers I have spent most of my adult life serving and helping others. This desire started when I was a

On Sunday, Oct. 24, the Church will celebrate World Mission Sunday—the annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions of the Church. World Mission Sunday is an opportunity for Catholics to recommit themselves to their Baptismal call to evangelization and mission, standing in solidarity with missionaries around the world serving the poor, proclaiming the Gospel and building the Church.

The year 2021 marks the quincentennial celebration—or 500 year celebration—of Christianity in the lives of Filipinos across the world. To celebrate this milestone, the archdiocese is holding events throughout the year, including a virtual event on Nov. 5 at 7pm during the Hope, Heal, Renew Conference.

By Christina Gray The city’s Tenderloin neighborhood was alive with the spirit and memory of St. Francis of Assisi today on his Oct. 4 feast

St. Junipero Serra’s heroism did not change when California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to ensure that his statue will no longer stand on the state capitol grounds, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said.

Members of law enforcement protect society from the forces of chaos, maintaining the physical order necessary to keep evil at bay, San Francisco’s archbishop told first responders at the second annual Faith & Blue Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral Oct. 3.

Photo Credit: Dennis Callahan By Mary Powers On Sunday, Sept. 19, parishes across the archdiocese celebrated Catechetical Sunday, the opening Mass for faith formation programs.

German artists’ work adorns many archdiocesan churches By: Mary Powers St. Francis holds a special place in the heart of the city of San Francisco

By Christina Gray Men and women called to religious life are “the true philosophers…our noble sages, the truly wise ones pointing us to the path

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is ever-expanding, and the latest offering about everyone’s favorite Norse god of mischief, Loki, is getting all kinds of time-traveling buzz, and for good reason.

Zoom is a not a word Msgr. Michael Harriman would have connected to his retirement after 53 years as a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Not as a verb or a noun.

God’s revelation in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all Christian faith. As followers of His, He calls us to be “Church,” that is, a people assembled to worship Him and give Him honor and glory. The distress of the restrictions on worship all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic made it more evident than ever just how important this aspect of our faith is in our lives.

This year, 2021, is the 130th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical letter Rerum Novarum (The Rights and Duties of Labor), the foundational document of modern Catholic teaching on the relations of employers and employees.

Christina Gray Roots of Peace CEO Heidi Kuhn and her husband Gary were thwarted last month in their mission to evacuate the most vulnerable of

The Archdiocese of San Francisco’s herculean efforts to bring children back for in-person classroom learning during the past school year paid off, based on new scholastic test results.

Please join us in celebrating the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s retired clergy at our Priests Retirement Luncheon on Friday, October 22, 2021.  The Luncheon will

Christina Gray August 30, 2021 After unsuccessfully working at a safe distance to get the most vulnerable of her nearly 400 employees out of Afghanistan

Christina Gray Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone has issued a statement on the Kabul-based employees of Roots of Peace (a Marin County organization) and high school students from San

Mercy High School in Burlingame presented diplomas to 116 graduates on June 6 at St. Pius Church in Redwood City. Nancy Astabie was named valedictorian, and

Christina Gray Catholic San Francisco Nicholas Case and Cameron Pollette were ordained to the priesthood June 19 at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Archbishop Salvatore J.

Sister Deborah Watson, RSM, graduated from Mercy High School Burlingame and entered the Sisters of Mercy in The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted today during its annual spring

Sister Deborah Watson, RSM, graduated from Mercy High School Burlingame and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1961. After 17 years in elementary education and parish religious education at

The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael will be streaming their 2021 Jubilee Eucharistic Celebration July 24 at 10 a.m. in San Rafael, celebrating nine 2021 jubilarians, and two

Catholic San Francisco staff In 1858, Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, OP, the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco (1853-1884), founded its first newspaper, The

We are embarking on a new era in Archdiocesan communications – one suited to the modes of communications that define the 21st century. Catholic San Francisco as a weekly and

Lorena Rojas San Francisco Catolico On Jan. 24, 2019, Augusto César Noguera, Damaris Berrios and their 11-year-old son Augusto José Noguera Berrios left their home in the dark of