Established 1951

St. Veronica Church

December 3, 2017

First Sunday of Advent

Fax: 650-588-1481 Phone: 650-588-1455 www.stveronicassf.com

434 Alida Way South San Francisco, CA 94080

A Stewardship Parish - Grateful Living through Faith, Fellowship, Service, & Giving

“Your Church joyfully awaits

the coming of its Savior, who

enlightens our hearts and dispels

the darkness of ignorance

and sin.” - from the Blessing

of the Advent Wreath

Parish Office email: churchoffice@stveronicassf.com

St. Veronica Parish Parish Office Hours

Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed for lunch from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (unless otherwise posted)

Phone: 650-588-1455 Fax: 650-588-1481

Parish Staff

Fr. Charles Puthota, Ph.D., Pastor Fr. Tom Martin, Administrator Fr. Patrick Driscoll, Parochial Vicar

Fr. Don Sharp, S.J., Weekend Assistant

Deacon Roger Beaudry Deacon Joseph LeBlanc Patricia Spiteri, Parish Secretary, Ext. 301 Oneyda Perez, Parish Bookkeeper, Ext. 304

Karen Guglielmoni, Faith Formation & Wedding Coordinator, Ext.305

Christopher Lindstrom, Music Director, Ext. 308

Jim Rodriguez, Custodian/Maintenance

St. Veronica Catholic School

www.saintveronicassf.org Phone: 650-589-3909

Mrs. Mary Boland Principal

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are to be arranged through the Parish Office.

Baptisms in English are typically held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month.

Baptisms in Spanish are typically held on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

Baptismal Preparation classes are held once a month. Call the Parish Office at 650-588-1455

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Call the Parish Office to register 650-588-1455 Ext.309

Faith Formation: 650-588-1455 Ext. 305 Catechetical instructions (1st to 8th grades)

Confirmation Classes: 650-588-1455

Mass Intentions for the Week of December 3, 2017

Sun 12/03 7:00 † Josephine & Bill Daumler 8:30 † Isabel Massucco 10:00 † LaVerne Garcia 11:30 Norma S. Canizares 6:00 † Rosalie Grace Asciutto

Mon 12/04 6:30 † Francisca Arrobio 8:30 † Gianfranco Andreazzi

Tue 12/05 6:30 † Henry Liedich 8:30 † Cornelius Murphy Sr.

Wed 12/06 6:30 † Aurea P. Poblete 8:30 Jim Piguing

Thu 12/07 6:30 Marge Liedich 8:30 † Edward Corrigan

Fri 12/08 6:30 † Vicente Paranpan Jr. 8:30 † Edward Corrigan 6:30 † William Cagno

Sat 12/09 8:30 † Vittorio Ottoboni 5:00 † J. Kenneth Melvin

Sun 12/10 7:00 † Berenice Velarde 8:30 † Paul & Verena Broussard 10:00 † Wilson Pascual 11:30 † Ricardo Moreno 6:00 † Jorge Arcia

Second Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious

December 9-10, 2017

Next weekend our second collection benefits the retired Religious who have so faithfully dedicated their lives to the service of God’s people. Many of us have benefited from religious sisters, priests and brothers who have taught in our schools, cared for the sick, taught cate-chism and served our Archdiocese in other ways. We cannot thank them enough for their dedication and ser-vice. One way we show our gratitude is through our financial support of their well-deserved retirement. This is a much-needed return for all they have given to us. Please be generous and know of my sincere gratitude for your giving to these women and men whose ministry has been an indispensable part of the history of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Fr. Tom

Parish Registration Please complete and return form to the parish office,

or simply drop it in the collection basket. Kindly print all information.

Name(s): ____________________________________

Name(s): ____________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

___________________________________________

City & Zip: __________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________

Primary language spoken at home: ________________

Updating Current Parish Registration

Moving / Please remove from mailing list.

___This is a new registration Please call me.

Mass Schedule

Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Sundays: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.

Spanish Mass: Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Holy Days: 6:30, 8:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. (English)

Monday - Friday: 6:30 & 8:30 a.m.

Confessions Saturdays: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Liturgy of the Hours Monday - Friday: Morning Prayer at 6:00 a.m.

Eucharistic Adoration 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

except as posted for holidays and parish events

Advent and Christmas Calendar through December 17

Sun., Dec. 3: First Sunday of Advent Santa’s Breakfast, Falcon Hall (7:45-11:45) 6th Grade Class Mass, 10:00 a.m. RCIA Rite of Acceptance, 11:30 a.m. Mass

Wed., Dec. 6: Advent speaker Fr. Joshua Clif-ton, 6:30 p.m. in the Church (see page 5)

Fri., Dec. 8: Feast of the Immaculate Concep-tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation - Masses at 6:30 & 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (all Masses in English)

Tues., Dec. 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession at 6:15 p.m.; Mass at 7:00 p.m. with reception afterward in the Parish Center

Fri., Dec. 15 - Sat., Dec. 23: Simbang Gabi No-vena of Masses; reception in the Parish Center follows the 12/15 Mass; dinner in the Parish Center follows the 12/23 Mass

Sat., Dec. 16: Posada, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Church with reception following in Falcon Hall

Sun., Dec. 17: “Bambinelli” blessing of the Christ child figures during the 10:00 a.m. Mass

Thank you for supporting St. Veronica Parish and its works.

Saturday 11/25/17 5:00PM 1552.00 216.00 1768.00

Sunday 11/26/17 7:00AM 1049.00 271.00 1320.00

8:30AM 1334.00 318.00 1652.00

10:00AM 1289.00 303.00 1592.00

11:30AM 1109.00 259.00 1368.00

Spanish Mass 6:00PM 319.50 136.00 455.50

TOTAL IN-PEW DONATIONS: $6,652.50 $1,503.00 $8,155.50

Other Contributions 31.00 n/a 31.00

Day Mass Time 1st Collection Maintenance Totals

Envelopes received in the First Collection:

November 11 & 12: 315 November 18 & 19: 331 November 25 & 26: 344

If you currently receive envelopes but do not use them, please prayerfully consider including your donation in the collection basket.

November 18-19 Collection Totals:

First Collection: $6,749.00 Second Collection (Campaign for Human Development): $2,676.00

Total Collection: $9,425.00

Thanksgiving Mass Total: $2,290.00 benefitting St. Vincent de Paul

From the Desk of Fr. Tom Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today begins the holy season of Advent, a time of expectation and waiting. One of the enduring memories of my childhood is the First Sunday of Advent. At the Slovene-Croatian Church of the Nativity in San Francisco, its long-time pastor, Father Vital Vodusek, would don purple vestments and light the first purple candle of the Advent wreath. The organist would begin Mass with the singing of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” I recall feeling a sense of the cold and darkness, of time almost standing still as I would stare at the flicker of the candle. Time, so it seemed, stood still. These images of Advent seasons past are etched in my memory and they continue to be a power-ful reminder to me of how important it is as Catholics to ponder and meditate upon that which we are waiting and what we expect of the Incarnation. The late Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan and noted Scripture Scholar Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini, S.J., in his book I Believe in Eternal Life, offers a powerful reflection on the spirituality of waiting. “To live the spirituality of waiting is to live the contemplative dimension of life in the profound awareness of the absolute primacy of God over life and history. Therefore the spiritual attitude of vigilance is a continual referring to the Lord who becomes one’s life and human concern in the light of faith that makes us walk as pilgrims toward the fatherland and allows us to direct our every act toward it. “The spirituality of waiting requires, therefore, poverty of heart to be open to the surprises of God, listening perse-veringly to his Word and to his Silences in order to allow ourselves to be led by him, in docility and solidarity with our companions of the journey and the witnesses to the faith that God has placed at our side on the way to the prom-ised goal. Vigilance nurtures our sense of the Church, in the company of the faith and hope of those who walk with us toward the celestial Jerusalem.” The words of Isaiah in today’s first reading reflect the dynamic of human history, of people coming to and away from the Lord. Far afield, the people of Israel feel estranged from and abandoned by God. God’s response, as re-vealed to us in salvation history, is always one of mercy and faithfulness. Isaiah acknowledges human weakness and suffering but is also reminded that ultimately God is the arbiter of all things. “Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you are the potter; we are all the works of your hands.” The words of Cardinal Martini resonate so well in light of Mark’s Gospel in which Jesus says to his disciples, “Be watchful! Be alert!” Are we attentive to God’s providential handiwork in our lives? Do we see God operative with-in the contours of daily living, the circumstances in which we find ourselves? This Season of Advent is an invitation to shake off our slumber, our “un-awareness” of how each one of us is truly the work of God’s own hands. May this pilgrimage toward the indwelling of God into the world through His Son, infuse our hearts with awe and wonder. May we support one another in thoughts, words, deeds, and prayers! - Fr. Tom

St. Veronica Honors Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of the Americas)

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Mass begins at 7:00 p.m. Preceded by a procession around the parish grounds beginning at

6:15 p.m. and followed by a reception in the Parish Center

All are welcome to be part of this Aztec tradition!

Friday, December 8, 2017 Holy Day of Obligation

The Immaculate Conception

of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mass times: 6:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Advent Food Drive

Each year, our parish supports the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Veronica Parish by participating in food drives during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Can you spare a few items for those in need?

What to Donate: Money, non-perishable foods/canned goods, toiletries. Most of our clients are one- or two-person families, so please keep this in mind when choosing your donated items.

Duration: through Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24th

Drop Off Locations: The Church Vestibule food bin OR the Pastoral Center during business hours

Seeking Advent Candle Lighters! Parishioners (individuals or families) are needed to light the Advent Wreath candles at all Saturday evening and Sunday masses during the four weeks of Advent. If you are interested, call the Pastoral Center at 650-588-1455 to sign up. Masses will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Instructions and guidance will be provided. Come be a part of this beautiful Advent tradition!

Bambinelli Blessing

Sunday, December 17, at the 10:00 a.m. Mass Bring your Christ child figurines!

St. Veronica continues the Vatican tradition of bless-ing the Christ child figurines from our family Nativity scenes on Gaudete Sunday. All will be asked to come forward with their Christ child figurines during Mass and receive a special blessing before bringing Baby Jesus to their homes for Christmas.

Christmas Cantata - Join Us!

The St. Veronica Adult Choir invites you to “Light of the World” which will be

performed in the Church on Wednesday, December 13, at 3:30 p.m., and Sunday,

December 24 at 8:30 p.m. before the Christmas Eve Mass. All are welcome to attend these FREE performances and take a little time to relax and reflect on the true

meaning of the holiday season.

Visit our “Giving Tree”

Beginning this first weekend of Ad-vent, you are invited to select a tag or two and purchase the requested item for someone in need.

Please return your wrapped gift with the tag attached by Monday, Decem-ber 18, to allow time for distribution. Gifts can be placed by the tree or dropped off at the Par-ish Office. Be an Angel today!

Are You Spiritually Prepared for Christmas?

There are gifts to buy, cards to send, homes to decorate, and parties to attend, but how are you spiritually planning for the birth of our Savior?

Join Fr. Joshua Clifton on Wednesday, December 6 (the Feast of St. Nicholas) at 6:30 p.m. in our Church for the spiritual presentation “The Three Advents: Christmas Past, Christmas

Present, Christmas Yet to Come.” Father Clifton travels to St. Veronica from the Diocese of Mon-terey, where he given extensive talks related to our Catholic faith. The presentation is open to all who wish to attend, and - best of all - the cost is simply a free-will donation.

Reflecting on the Word

First Sunday of Advent

Some recent conversations have helped me see how many people want God to “rend the heavens and come down with the mountains quaking before [God]” (Isaiah 63:19). It seems that we want a God who dramatically comes into our midst to end vio-lence, war, poverty, famine, and the various “isms” that divide us. But God has already come by taking on our flesh in Jesus Christ. Every Advent recalls his first coming, looks forward to his return - which could occur at any time - and prepares us to cele-brate that incarnation on Christmas. Baptism makes us sharers in his first coming. We put on Christ and have what we need to experience God’s saving love today. It’s up to us to make Christ’s coming known. In Advent we prepare God’s way by placing ourselves into the hands of our potter, God, by be-coming more mindful that we constantly live in God’s presence. In advent we call upon God’s name to make a difference in our world. We experience that difference by living the peace we seek, becom-ing the nonviolence we desire, and affirming the uniqueness of persons to proclaim that our diverse lives matter. Christ is born again at Christmas through us. God rouses power and comes to save our world through us. When we turn to God in abundance, in need, or in between, we become alert to God’s presence. Alert, we are ready whenever Christ returns, and the heavens are rent, the earth quakes, and true peace transforms us and our world. Pray. Listen. Watch, so that God finds us do-ing right. Be clay in the hands of a God who wants to transform us more clearly into being and seeing the face of Jesus Christ, who came to make known the power of God’s saving love.

For Prayerful Consideration & Discussion

What small step can you take to be more mindful of God’s presence, make Christ’s coming known, and be the difference you seek?

Where to you want God to break into the world and recreate it? - Living the Word

Baptism Information

Registration forms are available from the Pastoral Center during regular office hours,

or you may download a form from our website at www.stveronicassf.com.

Baptisms are generally celebrated monthly on the 1st and 3rd Saturday in English

and on occasional 2nd Saturdays in Spanish. Please call the Parish Office to sign up.

Upcoming baptism dates are as follows: December 16 (cancelled)

January 6 & 20 February 3 & 17

Preparation classes for parents and godparents are held on the second Tuesday of the month.

Classes are conducted in the Pastoral Center from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. (Adults only please).

Please call the Parish Office at 650-588-1455 for specific dates and to reserve your space for the

Baptismal Preparation Classes.

St. Veronica Catholic School Tours for 2018-19 School Year

For more than 56 years, St. Veronica Catholic School has provided the environment to nurture your child’s love of learning. Our School provides a quality education while keeping Christ at the center of its being. Our curriculum, resource program, before-and-after-school extended care, as well as our enrichment offerings provide a supportive setting for our Kindergarten through eighth grade students. We welcome students from our neighboring parishes which do not have parish schools. Our school tours begin at 9:00 a.m. They are an in-

formative session in which you can view the classroom and

ask questions.

Please call St. Veronica Catholic School at (650) 589-3909 to schedule your tour. All tour dates are Tuesdays.

Dec. 5, 2017 Jan. 9, 2018

St. Veronica Catholic School, mindful of its mission to be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, and na-tional and/or ethnic origin with all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded to or made available to students at this school. St. Veronica Catholic School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin, age, gen-der or disability in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Ushers’ Meeting - December 14

Current ushers and those interested in learning more about or joining the ministry are invited to a meeting on Thursday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Pastoral Cen-ter (parish office). This is a great way to give back to our parish, and is open to women & men, teens & adults.

Most Convenient SF/Peninsula Location

Traditional and Cremation ServicesUnlimited Parking

500 Westlake Avenue Daly City

(650) 756-4500 FD1098www.duggansserra.com

JIM SCANNELL CONSTRUCTION CO.Additions, Remodeling, New Construction

Lic. # 562854 • Insured(650) 873-4502

Parishioner jimscannellconstruction.com

$29.95/Mo. billed quarterly

• One Free Month• No Long-Term Contract• Price Guarantee• Easy Self Installation

Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608

Medical Alert System

SOUTHWOOD PLUMBING & HEATINGWater Heaters, Copper PipingSewer Repair & Replacement1059 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno

583-0391 Lic. #818070

Garden ChapelFuneral Directors

Serving All FamiliesWith Reverence & Dignity

885 El Camino RealSo. San Francisco, Calif.

Telephone 583-2510Lic FD #805

“Where Patients Come First!”~ Conveniently Open 7am-7pm ~

931 El Camino Real • SSFwww.myvistadentalcare.com

6 5 0 . 8 7 1 . 1 4 3 0

CATHERINE VISTA,D.D.S.

967394 St Veronica Church

RANCHO LAS TRANCASAuthentic Mexican Cuisine

583-4751792 El Camino Real

Order 2 Lunch or Dinner EntréesReceive 50% Off 1 Entréeof Equal or Lesser Value

The Most Complete

Online National

Directory of

Catholic ParishesCheck It Out Today!

Donate your vehicle,household items or your time!learn more at www.svdp-sanmateoco.org

650 871-6844 Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Saint MargaretSunday MissalAn ideal companionfor personal prayer.

In Stock & Ready to Order Today.

CALL OR ORDER ONLINE. $39.95

800-566-6150 • www.wlpmusic.com

www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-231-0805

From the WLP Vaultcomes the Bible Story of Christmas

featuring 8 Classic Christmas Carols and a reading of the Gospel of Luke 2: 4-20 by Bing Crosby!

Also available on vinyl.

Visit WLPmusic.com to purchase your copy - CD $10.00

800-566-6150 Photo Courtesy of Bing Crosby Enterprises

Grow Your Business, Advertise Here.Support Your Church & Bulletin.

Free professional ad design & my help!email: kwiatkowskim@jspaluch.com

Call Marcy Kwiatkowski925.239.1401

www.jspaluch.com

“I truly care about each and every family that we serve, and we do our best to treat every family with the highest standards, the way we’d want to be treated ourselves. All my best to you, from Paul Larson”.

SSeerrvviinngg tthhee ffaammiilliieess ooff SSaaiinntt VVeerroonniiccaa’’ss

CChhaappeell ooff tthhee HHiigghhllaannddssFFuunneerraall && CCrreemmaattiioonn CCaarree PPrrooffeessssiioonnaallss

• El Camino Real at194 Millwood DriveMillbrae, CA 94030

• Highly Recommended• CA License FD 915

• (650) 588-5116Paul Larson ~ PresidentCA License FDR 41 ~ Italian Catholic Federation Branch 403 Saint Dunstan’s

wwwwww..cchhaappeelloofftthheehhiigghhllaannddss..ccoomm

KAMAMESHI HOUSE

Japanese Restaurant2085 Gellert Blvd.

Daly City650.952.0444

If You Live Alone You Need LIFEWatch!24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY!

✔Ambulance✔Police✔Fire✔Friends/Family

CALLNOW! 800.809.3352

FREE ShippingFREE ActivationNO Long Term Contracts

Solutions as Low as

$19.95 a month

No Landline? No Problem!* Real Time GPS Tracking

* Fall Detection

Garden ClubFamily Style Dining1144 Mission RoadSouth San Francisco, 94080(650) 873-4910

Dinner: Wednesday - SundayLunch: Monday - SaturdayBreakfast on Saturday Mornings

Grow in your faith,find a Mass, and

connect with yourCatholic Community

with OneParish!

Download Our Free App or Visit

MY.ONEPARISH.COM

Come Sail Awayon a 7-night CatholicExotic Cruise startingas low as $1045 per couple

Brian or Sally, coordinators860.399.1785

an OfficialTravel Agencyof Apostleshipof the Sea-USA

CST 2117990-70

THE CONSECRATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, Part 41 & 42

IT WAS AFTER THIS FIRST HOSPITALIZATION THAT OUR LADY revealed to Jacinta that she would undergo the suffering of dying alone. In this, the nine-year-old saint was to be conformed to the lonely and abandoned Crucified Lord. "Lucia," she related to her cousin, sobbing, "Our Lady told me that I'm going to go to another hospital in Lisbon and that I'll never see you again or my parents and that after suffering a great deal, I shall die alone. She said that I should not be afraid since she will come to take me with her to Heaven. I will never see you again. Pray a lot for me for I am going to die alone." Saint Jacinta was deeply saddened by the thought of dying alone. One time, Lucia found her, speaking to Our Lady, "My dear little Mother, so I am going to die alone?" Lucia reminded her that Our Lady would always be with her and that she would come to take her to Heaven. It was Lucia, then, who had reason to be sorrowful, for she had to remain in this valley of tears. "Poor thing. Don't cry, Lucia," Jacinta said, comforting her. "I shall pray a lot in

Heaven for you. You are going to stay here, but it is Our Lady who wants it." The two little girls were deeply surrendered to the Will of God, trusting completely in His Providence. They found their joy only in spiritual things. "Jacinta, what are you going to do in Heaven?" "I'm going to love Jesus a lot, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and pray and pray for you, for the Holy Fa-ther, my parents, brothers, sisters, for everyone who asked me, and for sinners. I love to suffer for the love of Our Lord and Our Lady. They love those who suffer for the conversion of sinners."

THE TIME HAD FINALLY COME FOR JACINTA'S second hospital visit, this time in Lisbon, as Our Lady had said. Her visit to the hospital came about due to the offer of a devout physician, who placed her under the care of one of the leading specialists of children's diseases at that time. Before Jacinta left Fatima for the last time, she begged her mother to take her once more to the Cova da Iria. Jacinta was so weak she could not even stand. At a certain place, she got down from the donkey and began to pray the Rosary alone. Then she picked some flowers to adorn the little chapel that had been built at the place of the ap-paritions. Her mother noted that when they arrived at the Cova, they all knelt down and Jacinta "prayed for a while in her own way." After she got up, she said, "When Our Lady went away, she passed over those trees and entered Heaven so fast that it seemed as if her feet were caught in the door." The following day, Jacinta said her final goodbye to Lucia. "She kept her arms around me for a long time," Lucia recounted. "She was crying and saying to me, 'Never

again shall we see each other. Pray a great deal for me for I am going to Heaven. There I will pray a lot for you. Don't ever tell anyone the secret even if they kill you. Love Jesus a great deal and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Make many sacrifices for sinners.'" The train ride to Lisbon was a sorrowful journey. Jacinta sat at the window, admiring the countryside and watching the people in the villages. No doubt she was interceding for them, to keep them from falling into the Hell she had seen. At one of the stops, Jacinta was offered candy by a well-intentioned admirer, but she refused to eat it, to offer the sacrifice. When they arrived in Lisbon, they were greeted by friends who tried to help them find a place to stay. No one would take in a sick child. In this, Jacinta was conformed to the sorrow of the Holy Family, for whom there was no lodging in Bethlehem. Finally, they were welcomed at the Orphanage of Our Lady of Miracles. The mother superior of the place knew of Jacinta and welcomed them with open arms. †

- By Fr. Joseph Previtali, Adjunct Instructor of Dogmatics, St. Patrick’s Seminary