Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church
Parish established 1912 - Present Church dedicated 1962

Parish Office & Mailing Address: 449 Holyoke Street, San Francisco, CA 94134-1734
Phone: (415) 468-0820. FAX: (415) 468-1457

Church Address (not for mail) - 459 Somerset Street, San Francisco, CA
Find Saint Elizabeth's Church on Google Maps

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2024 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal - goal is $32,089

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We have received $43,193 from our St. Elizabeth parishioners towards our goal.
We have met our goal !
Any donations beyond the goal of $32,089 will be returned to our parish so we could continue to do God's work. THANK YOU for your generosity!

 


January 24, 2024


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fr. Charles Puthota

From the Pastor's Desktop

A Message from Father Charles Puthota

November 3, 2024

Dear Parishioners of St. Elizabeth,


All Saints: November 1:
We began this emotion-laden month of November with the solemnity of All Saints (All Hallows), which was a holy day of obligation, with Masses at 8:30am and 6:00pm. Having observed the cultural celebration of the Eve of Hallows as Halloween, here we celebrated the holy feast of all saints, canonized and not canonized, known and unknown. Originally the feast began when there were so many martyrs that there was a felt-need to honor them. It then became a way of honoring all saints, all holy men and women, who have reached the beatific vision of God and are now safe in the very heart of God, even if they are not officially declared as saints by the Church. I would like to think that some or many of our own family members have been privileged to become saints and have attained the life of perfection in heaven; that they have joined Mary, our blessed mother, the angels, and saints; that they are beholding the face of God for eternity with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. What a blessed state! What a glorious life of fulfillment! This feast invites us to thank God for all the marvelous deeds God in Jesus has done in the lives of all these saints. We feel a deep sense of gratitude and joy. This feast also reminds us that we are all destined to be saints; that we are all called to holiness. "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," is the challenge. Be holy. Do holy. It is not easy, though. We are pulled and pushed by external and internal forces, drives, and allurements. We are tempted and dazzled by all sorts of things in the world. To seek holiness amidst bewildering things and choices is not at all easy. Jesus walks with us and gives us his Spirit to lead and guide us so that we may keep running the race, knowing that in all our endeavors, struggles, and failures, we are graced and strengthened on this pilgrimage of life.

All Souls: November 2: We commemorated all those who have been called to God. We think especially of those in our own families who have gone before us. We hold their memory sacred. We loved them in life, we continue to love them in death. In death, life is changed, not ended. Love is stronger than death. We bring our love, faith, and prayers to support them on their journey of purification and attainment of perfection with God. It has always been a tradition in the Catholic faith to visit graves on this day and in the whole month of November dedicated to the dear departed. So let's make time for that. As we stand at their graves, perhaps with tears and a deep sense of grief, let us know that God will wipe away all tears and grant them eternal peace and fulfillment. It is also a grace-filled occasion for us "in this valley of tears" to think of life and death. Awareness of death can make life more precious and beautiful. Against the background of death, life takes on great urgency and acute significance. Because of death, we have to live better lives. Because of death, we have to become the persons God wants us to be in this life. Because of death, we need to become more authentic disciples and apostles of Jesus. Because of death, love becomes not only necessary but also urgent. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace! Amen. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Elections: The Bishops of the United States have guidelines for Catholics, especially in the election cycles, through a well-balanced document titled "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship." If you would like to read it in detail, just google it. The Bishops encourage us to apply Catholic social teaching to major issues we face in our nation and the world. They list these major issues as: 1. Human Life. 2. Promoting Peace. 3. Marriage & Family Life. 4. Religious Freedom. 5. Health Care. 6. Migration. 7. Catholic Education. 8. Promoting Justice and Countering Violence. 9. Combatting Unjust Discrimination. 10. Care for our Common Home. 11. Communications, Media, and Culture. 12. Global Solidarity. We need to look at all these major issues in totality and search and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit before we elect our leaders. May our nation have the leaders we deserve, the leaders who are according to the mind and heart of Christ, humble and honest, selfless and serene, generous and gentle, always willing to give of themselves in service for the common good. Let us keep our nation in our prayers.

Monday, December 9: Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, Masses at 8:30am and 6:00pm.

Pope Francis' Latest Encyclical:
Pope Francis has just released his fourth encyclical called "Dilexit Nos" (He Loved Us) on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His three other encyclicals are "Lumen Fidei," "Laudato Si," and "Fretelli Tutti." The Holy Father calls the Church and the world through the latest one to the heart of Christ, the seat of God's immense love. More about this encyclical in this column in the coming bulletins.

Synod on Synodality: The second and final session of the Synod on Synodality came to a close last week. It took place from October 2 through October 27, 2024. The theme of the whole synod spread over three years was: "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission."

Gustavo Gutierez, RIP: One of my favorite theologians, the Peruvian Dominican Father Gustavo Gutierez passed away last week. I regularly meditate on his scripture reflections for Sunday readings. He has a powerful and inspiring way of looking at the scriptures from the perspective of God as liberator and in favor of justice, peace, dignity, and the human rights, which are God's universal blessings for everyone. May Father Gutierez rest in peace!

Humor: The pastor confronted his tipsy church member: "Joe, whiskey is your worst enemy." "But didn't you tell us last Sunday to love our enemies?" Joe replied. "Sure," the pastor answered, "but I didn't say anything about swallowing them."

Your Friend and Pastor,

Father Charles Puthota.


MASS SCHEDULE
as of November 23, 2023

Saturday:

.. 4:30 p.m.

... Sunday:

.. 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Monday thru Saturday:

.. 8:30 a.m.

Holy Days:

.. 8:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Confessions:

..4:00 p.m. on Saturdays before the 4:30 Vigil Mass

10:00 a.m. on Sundays before the 10:30 a.m. Mass


PARISH SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Please call the Parish Office for more information. (415-468-0820) - Details

Baptismal Registration Form

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

High School Students should call the Religious Education Office for more information.
Adult confirmation is available on an individual basis. -
.Details

SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Call the Parish Office in case of serious illness and before surgery and hospital care. - Details

SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST

Our Eucharistic Ministers are available to bring the Eucharist to the sick or homebound. Contact the Parish Office. - Details

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturday 3:30pm to 4:15pm or by appointment. - Details

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

There is a six month period of preparation for the celebration of this Sacrament. Contact the Parish Office to make arrangements. - Details

Faith Formation - Cantwell Hall

Saturday 9:00am to 11:00am. - Details

Parish Office: (415) 468-0820


Benediction and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena: Wednesdays after the 8:30am Mass.

Legion of Mary Meeting 5:00pm Monday in the Church.

1000 Hail Mary's Third Saturday after the 8:30am Mass until 3:30pm.

Over 50 Group Thursdays at 12:00pm in Cantwell Hall.


Rev. Charles Puthota, Ph. D., Pastor

Sandy Mehrwein, Parish Secretary

Patricia Spiteri, Pastoral Coordinator

Laurrie Digneo, Coordinator of Faith Formation



LINKS to:

OUR FAVORITES

NATIONAL & GLOBAL

Archdiocese of San Francisco

Catholic Press

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

EWTN Global Catholic Network

The Culture Project (San Francisco)

US Catholic

VATICAN WEB SITE

NATIONAL MEDIA

Vatican Web Site (ENGLISH)

Vatican YouTube Channel

Vatican Web Site (ESPAÑOL)

Salt + Light TV

The New American Bible

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Social Justice - Resource Center

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Alternatives for Simple Living

Code of Canon Law: Table of Contents

Documents of the Second Vatican Council

Fr. CHARLES' HELPFUL LINKS

Proclaiming Christ in the culture - WordOnFire.com

The Catholic Bible Online - MyCatholicLife.com

The Spiritual Exercises - IgnatianSpirituality.com

Home - osvnews.com