Articles
June 27, 2008 - Editorial
In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, the concept of contemporary culture can be substituted for the word “people” when Jesus at Caesarea Philippi asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man [ more... ]California Catholic bishops affirm sanctitiy of marriage
Marriage is a God-given institution to join a man and woman in nurturing and supporting new life and can only be harmed if it is redefined, several Catholic bishops have said in pastoral responses to the California Supreme [ more... ]Archbishop Niederauer Statement on Same Sex Marriage
In a recent decision the Supreme Court of the State of California ruled unconstitutional an initiative passed by California voters eight years ago, defining marriage as “between one man and one woman." In its [ more... ]Seminary leader calls papal visit 'masterful performance'
Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic visit to the United States was a masterful performance of head and heart. The pope not only directed a distinct message to a number of different audiences but also conveyed a depth of personal [ more... ]USF student sketches Catholic churches of San Francisco
Catholic San Francisco By Michael Vick After the death of his father in 2002, then high school student Francis Putulin set off on a mission. His goal was to draw every Catholic Church in San [ more... ]Christ Our Hope
In a message prior to his apostolic journey to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI told American Catholics: "Together with your bishops, I have chosen as the theme of my journey three simple but essential words: 'Christ [ more... ]Bishop Justice - A Timeline of his Life
Bishop William J. Justice – a timeline MAY 8, 1942: Born to William J. Justice and Ann Vallely Justice, Lawrence, Mass. 1946: Justice Family moves to San Mateo. 1956: Graduates from St. Gregory Elementary [ more... ]Two men to be ordained to the Archdiocese in June
Rev. Mr. Juan Lopez is looking forward to making himself at home among the faithful of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The transitional deacon will be ordained to the priesthood June 7 at St. Mary’s Cathedral by [ more... ]New auxiliary bishop's heart, wisdom, experience praised
The "pastoral experience, generous heart and wise judgment" of Bishop - elect William J. Justice were underscored by San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer as announcement of the appointment of the Archdiocese's [ more... ]Abortion notification initiative appears headed for ballot
The Sarah's Law initiative campaign for a state constitutional amendment requiring family notification before ending a minor's pregnancy appears to have gathered enough names to qualify for the Nov. 4 ballot. The campaign [ more... ]How it all works: Ordination of a Bishop has roots in ancient tradition
Drawing on strong biblical images, the Second Vatican Council describes the bishop as one who is truly a “pastor, chosen to shepherd the Lord’s flock, a servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God. He is [ more... ]Catholic San Francisco Awards
In the 2008 Catholic Press Association awards competition, a Catholic San Francisco editorial won recognition for the ninth consecutive year, while the newspaper also was honored for a special supplement on senior living. The [ more... ]Disappointing Decision
In a surprising decision announced May 15, a divided California Supreme Court, by a one-vote margin, struck down the California Defense of Marriage Act, a ballot initiative (Proposition 22) approved by more than 61 percent of [ more... ]All or nothing measure headed to voters
An initiative to ban gay marriage in California has qualified for the Nov. 4 ballot, just two weeks before county clerks are to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples to comply with a new state Supreme Court [ more... ]Northern California to be well represented at World Youth Day 2008
(SAN FRANCISCO) July 3, 2008 - Young adults from the Archdiocese of San Francisco and surrounding Northern California dioceses will gather for Mass July 8 at 6:30 p.m. at San Francisco International Airport Chapel before [ more... ]World Youth Day events to be televised by EWTN
Live and encore coverage of World Youth Day 2008 will carried on the Eternal Word Television Network with the July 14 opening Mass at Barangaroo on Darling Harbor in Sydney, Australia. Cardinal George Pell, the archbishop of [ more... ]New permanent deacons exhorted to 'become the good news'
Underscoring the call to be “gentle, humble, strong and wise” in their ministries, Archbishop George H. Niederauer exhorted the five men being ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on June 29 to [ more... ]Priest’s faith, loyalty, caring, intelligence and wit recalled
Msgr. Francis Lacey, retired pastor of St. Hilary Parish in Tiburon, died July 5 at Nazareth House in San Rafael. He was 81 years old and a priest for 57 years. Msgr. Lacey was appointed honorary prelate with title of [ more... ]Lourdes at 150 years: 'God is very much the God of surprises here'
Oblate Father Martin Moran issues what sounds like a spiritual guarantee: lives of pilgrims to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France have a “99 percent” chance of improving. “I would say that almost [ more... ]Catholic advocates tame ‘stealth’ assisted-suicide
For the fourth time in as many years, Catholic bishops and health-care providers have staved off an end-of-life bill proposed by advocates of physician-assisted suicide. The bill, AB 2747, narrowly passed the Senate Health and [ more... ]Pope tells young people Holy Spirit can transform world
SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- With prayer and openness, young people can receive the power of the Holy Spirit and transform the world, Pope Benedict XVI told participants at World Youth Day. "Do not be [ more... ]Senior center sees need increase, funds decrease
Seniors feeling the pinch of the economic downturn are turning increasingly to charitable services to make ends meet. One such group, Catholic Charities CYO, offers food and other services for low-income seniors at the OMI [ more... ]Fair trade aims at fair deal for poor farmers
Two local Catholics have been appointed by Catholic Relief Services to be fair trade ambassadors for the organization’s initiative to promote sustainable, financially beneficial markets for poor farmers. The two are [ more... ]US Bishops issue Labor Day Statement - An American Tradition
The late Msgr. George G. Higgins was a remarkable priest whose primary work for many years was connecting the Church and the labor movement around Catholic teaching on worker rights. One of his many contributions was to offer an [ more... ]California Catholic Conference Approved Electoral Materials for Use in Parishes
"For Catholics, participation in the political process is a moral and ethical obligation. This program [Catholic Legislative Network] will help Catholics in the effort to sort through the often confusing rhetoric of [ more... ]Pelosi's nationally aired abortion comments "disgraceful", "incompetent", "incredible"
USCCB corrects House Speaker’s views as “misleading” and outdated Catholic and conservative commentators reacted with outrage and disbelief to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s nationally televised [ more... ]' Beautiful Boy' speaks of addiction in authentic voice
There are any number of autobiographical books on the market these days about the wrenching impact drug addiction has not only on the addict, but the addict' s family, friends, co - workers and even addiction professionals who [ more... ]Parental notice law endorsed by California Catholic Conference
Pro - life groups are asking California voters to approve a measure that would prohibit abortions involving underage girls until 48 hours after a parent or other family member has been notified. Proposition 4, commonly [ more... ]St. Francis’ conversions: Part One
What might St. Francis’ life say to us today ? The dedication of the “Porziuncola Chapel” at the National Shrine of St. Francis on Sept. 27 provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the life of the [ more... ]Immaculate Conception Academy moving to Cristo Rey model
The education tradition of the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose continues at Immaculate Conception Academy with the addition next year of a new look at tuition and preparing young women for life in today’s world. The [ more... ]St. Francis’ conversions: II
(Following is the second in a series of reflections on the life of St. Francis of Assisi provided by the Archdiocesan Worship Commission.) Exasperated by his son’s foolishness, Pietro da Bernadone dragged Francis before the [ more... ]God did not ‘mind his own business'
(Following is Archbishop George H. Niederauer’s homily delivered Sept. 7 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco.) During my days of teaching English in college there was a class in which the students read and [ more... ]‘Stone-for-stone’ Porziuncola reproduction to be dedicated
The rock-for-rock, stone-for-stone, fresco-for-fresco replica of St. Francis of Assisi’s tiny Porziuncola church near Assisi, Italy will be dedicated Sept. 27 in a building adjoining the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi [ more... ]Plain talk about life
Recently, the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a fact sheet on the Catholic Church’s constant teaching of respect for unborn human life – quoting The Catechism of the Catholic [ more... ]Plenary indulgence announced
Not only will the visual impact and prayerful atmosphere of the famed Porziuncola church of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy be mirrored by an exacting replica at San Francisco’s National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, but an [ more... ]Local priest founds effort to aid blind Vietnamese children
During a 1998 trip to his native Vietnam, Father Thuan Hoang was shocked to find blind children living on the streets. An official in the Archdiocese of San Francisco's Metropolitan Tribunal and Department of Canonical [ more... ]St. Anthony's celebrates anniversary in new facility
The St. Anthony Foundation will celebrate its 58th anniversary with the dedication and opening of a new social services center at 150 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco on Oct. 3, the day before the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi [ more... ]Economic crisis and low media focus equal scant relief gifts?
WASHINGTON (CNS) – The combined hurricanes and tropical storms that have devastated U.S. communities and Caribbean nations in the past few months have exceeded the damage Hurricane Katrina inflicted on New Orleans in 2005, but [ more... ]Gianna’s life proclaims God’s transforming power
Twenty weeks into their third pregnancy, John and Jennifer Schmidt were on top of the world. They’d just told their two young sons - Jacob, 5, and John Paul, 2 - that there was a new baby on the way. Now, all four of [ more... ]Cardinal: ‘spiritual nourishment’ of Bible to be a synod focus
SAN FRANCISCO – A renewed appreciation for the “spiritual nourishment” available in sacred Scripture, a shot in the arm for ecumenical dialogue, and enhanced preaching on “the word of God in Scripture” are among hopeful outcomes [ more... ]Porziuncola: ‘an oasis of peace, of prayer, and of spiritual renewal'
Following is the homily delivered by Archbishop George H. Niederauer at the Sept. 27 Mass celebrating the opening and blessing of the Porziuncola Shrine at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in San Francisco. A week [ more... ]The California Catholic Conferences issues a brief summary of the Propositions
.