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
Parish e-Mail:
stelizabethchurchsf@gmail.com

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

0%

2025 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal - goal is $36,292

100%

We have received $48,324 from our St. Elizabeth parishioners towards our goal.

Any donations beyond our goal of $36,292 will be returned to our parish so we could continue to do God's work. THANK YOU for your generosity!

 


February 11, 2025


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

Fr. Charles Puthota

From the Pastor's Desktop

A Message from Father Charles Puthota

October 19, 2025

Dear Parishioners of St. Elizabeth,

World Mission Sunday this Sunday, October 19: This is an annual celebration in the Catholic Church dedicated to renewing the Church's commitment to mission, particularly in places where Christ is little known, where the Church is young, or where communities face persecution or hardship. The theme for 2025, as chosen by Pope Francis (who passed away on April 21, 2025), is "Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples." In his message, the Pope emphasized that hope lies at the heart of Christian mission. He called all baptized persons to become "messengers and builders of hope," especially in a world where many experience despair, isolation, poverty, or injustice.

On this day, Catholics across the globe unite in prayer, reflection, and a special collection (Holy Father's Universal Solidarity Fund) to support missionary efforts. The funds raised go entirely to support over 1,100 mission territories in parts of Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, Latin America, and Europe - helping to build churches, train clergy and catechists, support pastoral formation, and provide essential services in communities in need. In 2025's Jubilee Year context, the celebration is an invitation for every believer and community to share in Christ's mission, especially through closeness, solidarity, and concrete acts of generosity and hope.

Five Concrete Things to Do in Light of World Mission Sunday: 1. Pray daily for missionaries-especially those serving in difficult or dangerous places. 2. Support the Pontifical Mission Societies through the annual collection or monthly giving, helping build churches, schools, and clinics in mission territories. 3. Learn about global missions by reading stories of missionaries and reflecting on how the Gospel is lived in diverse cultures. 4. Witness to faith locally-by kindness, forgiveness, and integrity in daily life, becoming "missionaries of hope" in workplaces and families. 5. Encourage vocations to priesthood, religious life, and lay mission service, reminding others that all baptized are called to share Christ's love.

Word of God: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C: Theme: Persistent Prayer: The readings remind us of the power and necessity of persistent prayer. In the first reading, Moses keeps his hands raised in prayer as Israel battles Amalek. When his hands grow weary, Aaron and Hur support him-showing that prayer is not a solitary act but a community effort sustained by faith and love. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow who refuses to give up until the unjust judge grants her justice. Through her perseverance, Jesus teaches us that faith must be tenacious and prayer must be constant. God is not like the unjust judge; he listens with compassion and mercy. Yet Jesus asks a sobering question: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Our persistence in prayer reveals the depth of our trust in God's goodness, even when answers are delayed.

In our busy, anxious world, we are invited to pray with faith and perseverance-for justice, for peace, for healing, and for conversion. Let us support one another, as Moses was supported, and never lose heart, knowing that prayer changes us and draws us ever closer to the heart of God who always hears his people.

From the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Why must the Church proclaim the Gospel to the whole world? The Church must do so because Christ has given the command: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This missionary mandate of the Lord has its origin in the eternal love of God who has sent his Son and the Holy Spirit because "he desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).

Feast of Saint John Paul II, Wednesday, Ocotber 22: Saint John Paul II (1920-2005), born Karol Józef Wojty?a in Wadowice, Poland, was one of the most influential popes of the 20th century. Ordained a priest in 1946, he became Archbishop of Kraków and was appointed cardinal in 1967. Elected pope in 1978, he was the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years. His papacy emphasized human dignity, the sanctity of life, and the universal call to holiness. He played a crucial role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, especially in his native Poland. John Paul II tirelessly traveled the world, visiting 129 countries to bring Christ's message of hope. He wrote extensively on faith, reason, and the family, inspiring millions. Despite suffering from Parkinson's disease, he remained steadfast in prayer and witness. Canonized in 2014, he is remembered as a missionary pope, philosopher, and saint of courage and compassion.

Pope Leo XIV's First Apostolic Exhortation: It is entitled Dilexi Te ("I Have Loved You"), signed October 4, 2025 by the Holy Father and published on October 9, places the poor at the center of the Gospel. It takes up draft work begun under Pope Francis and completed by Pope Leo builds upon the theme of divine love to call Christians to solidarity, justice, and service. It warns that one cannot serve God and money, urging the Church to cast off self-interest and be a "church for the poor."

A Wisdom Story: A monk asked his master, "What must I do to find peace?" The master pointed to a river and said, "See how it flows? It doesn't fight the rocks; it flows around them." The monk understood: peace is not the absence of obstacles, but the grace to flow through them.

Religious Humor: 1. The Ten Commandments were given to us in tablet form, and by following their direction, we could save a lot of other tablets from being used. 2. An African-American preacher began his sermon by saying, "Brethren and sisters, here you is coming to pray for rain. I'd like to ask you just one question --- where is yo' umbrellas?"


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

Suzanne Brachna, Parish Administrative Assistant

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