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 $29,548 from our St. Elizabeth parishioners towards our goal.
The amount needed to achieve our goal is $2,541
THANK YOU for your generosity!

 


January 24, 2024


Stations of the Cross

During Lent, every Friday the 8:30am Mass will be
followed by the Stations of the Cross.

Lent runs from Wednesday, February 14th thru Thursday, March 28th


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


Fr. Charles Puthota

From the Pastor's Desktop

A Message from Father Charles Puthota

March 17, 2024

Dear Parishioners of St. Elizabeth,

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal (AAA) 2024: We are making steady progress. Thank you for donating generously for the fourth consecutive year. Please see the names of donors in the bulletin. The total amount to raise is: $32,089. So far you have donated $29,548.00 The balance amount to reach is: $2,541.00. If you are able to give 1.5%, which is $500, it would be wonderful. Please do give whatever you can quickly and generously. This fundraiser, which is actually a faith-raiser, is to support the ministries of the Archdiocese, something that we are called to do each year.

Lent leading up to the Holy Week: We are in the fifth week of Lent. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and the Sunday after that is Easter. This sacred season of spirituality and simplicity, of compassion and caring, of penance and perseverance, continues. Palm Sunday will usher in the Holy Week. It's the most sacred time in the liturgical calendar. The suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus have close parallels to our life, as we make sense of our human condition. May this week be a special time of closeness to God and to one another. As far as possible, let's pause from our hectic lives and preoccupations, from our anxiety and anguish, and look up at the cross of Christ, that symbol of shame and death, which has become the life-giving source for everyone for all time. I invite everyone to participate in the paschal mysteries celebrated at our parish. Please see the schedule in my Easter letter to the whole parish, which is on the way, and also in the bulletin. Let's get ready psychologically and spiritually for the Holy Week.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, March 17: Traditionally we celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick on March 17, though this year the Sunday liturgy takes precedence over feast day liturgy. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here's the famous prayer of St. Patrick called the 'Breastplate prayer': "Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me."

Irish Blessings for St. Patrick's Day: 1. May your neighbors respect you, troubles neglect you, the angels protect you, and Heaven accept you. 2. May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends. 3. May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand. 4. May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you are dead. 5. May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of St. Patrick behold you.

Solemnity of the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19: The foster father of Jesus, St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers, carpenters, fathers, and of the universal Church. Joseph in his dreams discerns God's call and carries out the will of God. He is attuned to the voice of God in his life. He is told to accept Mary into his home and as his wife. He is highly considerate and just as he plans on setting Mary aside quietly, but is reassured by the angel that she has conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. He flees to Egypt with the divine baby and Mary after being prompted to do so by the angel. He returns when it is safe again, heeding the voice of God. He is a man of few words. He protects Jesus and Mary and cares for them by plying his trade of carpentry. He is a patron saint of happy death because it's believed that when he was dying he was privileged to have Jesus and Mary at his deathbed.

The Word of God, Fifth Sunday of Lent: In the context of the impending death of Jesus, the Word of God invites us to journey closer to Jesus. In the gospel, there is an interesting story of the Greeks wanting to see Jesus and they go to Philip. Philip goes to Andrew. They both then go to Jesus and tell him about it. It tells us that we need to go to others for inspiration and growth in our faith. Also, we have the calling to lead and guide people to experience Jesus. There are many in our own families that long to encounter Jesus. They may not even be aware of this longing. We need to be perceptive and find ways of leading them to Jesus, as Philip and Andrew were able to do. We all need each other as we make our journey to the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, from whom blessings flow for now and forever.

Think About it: The Look of Jesus: In the gospel according to Luke we read: But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." At that moment, while he was still speaking, a cock crew; and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter... and Peter went outside and wept. Reflection: I related well with the Lord. I would converse with him, thank him, and ask for help. But always I had this uneasy feeling that he wanted me to look at him... And I would not. I would talk, but look away when I sensed he was looking at me. I was afraid I should find an accusation in his eyes of some unrepented sin. Or a demand: something he wanted from me. One day I summoned up courage and looked! There was no accusation. No demand. The eyes just said, "I love you." And, like Peter, I went outside and wept. (ADM)

Saint John the 23rd: When Pope John XXIII was dying, Cardinal Testa came to see him and asked: "How's my friend, Roncalli?" The pope answered with great effort: "Your friend Roncalli is really bad, but I heard on the radio that John XXIII is much better."

Your Friend and Pastor,

Father Charles Puthota, Ph D.


Further Listening Sessions

Toward the Synodal Meetings in October 2024

In preparation for the second session of the Synod in October 2024, the Vatican has asked all dioceses all over the world, including in the United States, to hold listening sessions on the following two questions:

  1. "Where have I seen or experienced successes -- and distresses -- within the Church's structure(s)/organization/leadership/life that encourage or hinder the mission?"

  2. "How can the structures and organization of the Church help all the baptized to respond to the call to proclaim the Gospel and to live as a community of love and mercy in Christ?

    Deadline to submit the answers to the U.S. Bishops' Conference is April 8. These reports will be synthesized regionally and nationally--- and the final report will be sent to the Vatican Synodal Office by May 15, 2024.


The Vatican's guidance that shaped the above questions incorporates four questions:

  • "How can we enhance the differentiated co-responsibility in the mission of all the members of the People of God?";
  • "What ways of relating, structures, processes of discernment and decision-making with regard to mission make it possible to recognize, shape, and promote co-responsibility?";
  • "What ministries and participatory bodies can be renewed or introduced to better express this co-responsibility?" and,
  • "How can these relations be creatively articulated in order to find 'a dynamic balance between the dimension of the Church as a whole and its local roots?' "
.............................................(Source: America Magazine and NCR)


The Synod on Synodality
October 2021 to October 2024

Theme: Communion, Participation, Mission: The Synod on Synodality is a three-year process of listening and dialogue that began with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021. The synodal process will conclude in 2024. Each individual diocese in the whole world has gone through a process of preparation for the Synod. The Synod is both an event and a process in which the whole People of God are called to walk to gather together toward what the Holy Spirit helps it to discern as being the Lord's will for his Church. Pope Francis has invited the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission: "It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium. This journey, which follows in the wake of the Church's "renewal" proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task: by journeying together and reflecting together on the path that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through Her experience which processes can help Her to live communion, to achieve participation, and to open Herself to mission." The 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held in two sessions. The first one from October 4 to 29, 2023. The second session will be in October 2024.

What is a synod? A synod in the Catholic Church is both an event and a process where clergy, religious, and laity gather to discern important matters of the faith. It is a journey of search rooted in the Holy Spirit. Synods are transformative events that lead to renewal in the life of the Church. The current synod is called “Synod on Synodality.” It’s a synod that would explore the very processes of synod and examine how as the People of God we are journeying together. Pope Francis says: “Synodality is the way of being the Church today according to the will of God, in a dynamic of discerning and listening together to the voice of the Holy Spirit.” You might want to be informed more about this Synod by going online and doing your own research.
Do check out the Synod website
https://www.synod.va/en.html


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