Genesis 12: 1-4a; 2 Timothy 1:8b-10; Matthew 17: 1-9. Abram is sent by God to a new land, so that from him, God will create a new nation. In the second reading, Timothy is encouraged to bear his share of the hardship in living and proclaiming the Gospel. In the Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain where he is transfigured before them.

Domenica 2A Di Quaresima 

La vita è un cammino verso una mèta. Ciascuno porta nel cuore aspirazioni, progetti e ideali a volte confusi. Per perseguirli e realizzarli si cercano presenze significative, qualche segno che indichi la direzione. La vita cristiana è posta sotto il segno della tentazione e Dio può sembrare lontano, assente. Il silenzio di Dio può suscitare smarrimento e sconcerto. Chi ha scelto Dio e si fida di lui sa che la sua vita avrà un esito positivio.  

 四旬期第二主日

今天的福音叙述耶穌顯聖容的事跡，這事跡發生在耶穌第一次預言自己的苦難之後不久，好像為證明伯多說過的：「祢是默西亞，永生天主之子。」同時也要鼓勵宗徒們，不要為了耶穌所受苦難而氣餒。要他們明白，苦難不損天主聖子的光榮，而是祂獲得光榮的必經之路。 

耶穌在他們面前變得容貎光輝奪目，四周的景況安樂平和，使伯多祿禁不住歡呼起來， 要搭起帳棚，留在那裏。但大博爾山上的快樂是暫時的，祇是耶穌光榮復活的先兆而已。它又是日後宗徒傳教時不能忘懷的景像，是他們的精神食糧。耶穌離世升天後他們為傳揚福音，像耶穌一樣受苦受難時，大博爾山上那句話：「這是我的愛子，我所喜悅的，你們要聽從祂。」激勵他們、安慰他們，使他們能夠不怕艱困，勇往直前。這段事跡也叫日後的我們，要效法被釘在十字架上的耶穌，也要緊記在大博爾山上天主聖父的話，不怕艱難困苦，好能日後也分享祂的光榮與真福。

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Today we celebrate the Second Week of Lent. We are on a journey through a season of change, transformation, and transfiguration. The readings remind us to listen to God’s word, to trust, and to practice our faith.  

God called Abraham to leave everything behind and move to the land where God wanted him to settle. He left his family and his homeland to obey God’s promise. Though he did not know what the future held, he placed his absolute trust in the Lord. 

Similarly, Jesus obeyed His Father by entering into our world. Last week, we heard the Gospel of Matthew describe Jesus in the desert, praying and fasting for forty days and nights. In His hunger and vulnerability, the devil tempted Him. Jesus knew that the life ahead of Him would involve growing opposition from religious leaders who sought to end His mission. 

To find strength, Jesus often retreated to the mountains to pray. In today’s Gospel, He takes Peter, James, and John with Him to witness a mysterious scene: The Transfiguration. As they see Jesus in His glory, conversing with Moses and Elijah, the voice of God the Father envelopes them: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). This moment gave Jesus the courage to continue His mission, providing a glimpse of the Resurrection that would follow His suffering and death. What can we transfigure to become the faithful followers of Jesus? 

We are called to change and renewal as we journey through this Lenten season. We live in a world that cries out for justice and peace, but to change the world, we must first change ourselves. Sometimes we fear change because it pushes us out of our comfort zone. Jesus shows us the way: we must pass through the suffering of the cross to reach the triumph of new life. Even Jesus felt the weight of this, asking the Father to let the “bitter chalice” pass, yet He ultimately prayed, "Thy will be done." Like Jesus we take courage to sacrifice and regenerate our lives.  

As we continue through Lent, let us commit ourselves to our Lenten practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Through these, we transform ourselves to become better Christians and closer followers of Christ. 

Have a blessed Lent! 

Fr. Tho Bui, SDB
Pastor

Mass Intentions for the Week 

Sunday              March 1, 2026
8:45     Bill Marenco +
10:15  Healing Mairin O’Mahony
12:00  For the People of Saints Peter and Paul – Margherita Bacchetti +
5:00     Cecilia (Lia) Beltrame + 

Monday             March 2, 2026
7:00     Edward & Ernest Sabini + – Fr. David Purdy, SDB +
9:00     Gaetano Alioto + – Healing Louis Tenzis 

Tuesday            March 3, 2026
7:00     Anniversary of the Death of Amelia DeNicolai V+
9:00     Queena Maggiora & Fernanda Matteucci + 

Wednesday    March 4, 2026
7:00     Nicola Sanguinetti +
9:00     Joeseph Leo Torre & Family + – Healing Jan Silva                   

Thursday          March 5, 2026
7:00     Andrea & Genoveffa Sabini +
9:00     Peter Domenici & Peter Domenici, III + –Robert Akins +                    

Friday                 March 6, 2026
7:00     Intention of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
9:00     Felice & Carmella Fazio + – Joseph Machi +                             

Saturday          March 7, 2026
7:30     Romeo DeMartini  +
9:00     Thomas Mazzucco + ‑ Fred Scolari +
5:00     The Pierini & Spes Families +                              

Rest in Peace
Diane Molinari Hammermeister
Robert Akins – Arrigo Sturla – Peter Hoang

Particular Items

Second Collection: Today we will have a second collection for our Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. 

Lenten Opportunities: 

Lenten Disciplines: Abstinence: Everyone 14 years and older is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday. Mass attendance: During Lent, the Church encourages attendance at daily Mass and reception of the Eucharist. Almsgiving: During Lent, the Church encourages generosity to local, national, and worldwide programs of sharing. 

Bible Study! Deacon Khoa leads Bible Study every Thursday at 7:00 PM. Come join us in exploring the word of God! 

Fridays of Lent: On all the Fridays of Lent we will have Eucharistic Adoration, confession, and the Rosary following the 7:00 AM Mass. This Friday we also have the Anointing of the Sick. We will also have the Stations of the Cross and Soup Supper at these times: 

March 6 at 6:30 PM, led by the Chinese Apostolate
March 13 at 6:00 PM, led by Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club
March 20 at 6:30 PM. led by the Salesian Young Adults
March 27 at 6:00 PM, led by the Salesian Cooperators. 

New Stations Lights! Big thanks to Dominic & Minh, who donated the labor to install lighting for our Stations of the Cross just in time for Lent. This is the first time the Stations have had lights since the building of the Church—those who have attended the Stations in the past will remember someone holding a flashlight to illuminate each Station. That’s no longer necessary. And thanks to Fr. Tho, who is coming up with so many ideas for improvements! 

The Don Bosco Study Group will meet by Zoom at 4pm, Tuesday, March 3. They will discuss the movie, “Tender Mercies,” starring recently deceased Rober Duvall. It is available on Amazon Prime and other streaming. We will also discuss Chapter 1 of Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s early classic, “The Holy Longing.” For more information, the Zoom link, or a copy of the book excerpt, contact Frank Lavin 415.310.8551, or franklavin@comcast.net). 

40 Days for Life” is a peaceful prayer vigil that takes place from Ash Wednesday (February 18) through Palm Sunday (March 29) at the Planned Parenthood abortion business at 1522 Bush Street. 40 Days for Life prayer vigils are held in 622 cities in 64 countries. (To learn more or schedule a vigil time, go to: 40daysforlife.com/sanfrancisco/  

St. Joseph’s Table: Our Madonna Addolorata Society will host their traditional St. Joseph’s Table on March 11 at 6:00 PM, in the auditorium.  Menu: Open bar, Filet of Petrale, Pasta San Giuseppe, or Pasta con Pesto, vegetables, green salad, and traditional Sicilian style cookies for dessert. Tickets are $45, $10 for Children and may be purchased from Marie Lavin at 415-810-5237 or email mariedhe@comcast.net (That’s Archbishop Cordileone in white at a family St. Joseph’s table back around 1965).

 TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE! School Centennial March 14, 2026: Saints Peter & Paul School is thrilled to be celebrating our Centennial year with a Gala event at Bimbo's 365 Club! Join us as we look back on the SSPP School legacy -- and forward to a bright future! Saturday, March 14, 2026. Tickets on Sale November 2025. Visit ssppevents.org/gala-100 or email centennial@sspeterpaulsf.org for more information.  

Congratulations! To our 2026 Candidates and Catechumens! Here they are at last Sundays Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at St. Mary’s Cathedral Catechumens: Alex, Tracy, David, Irena, Stella, Nichole, Andrea, Ian, Harrison, Kevin, Katia; and Candidates: Nathaly, Tiffany, Adriene, Christopher, Angelo, Abril, Catherine, & Sophia. They are joined by Deacon & Mrs. Erlinda Te as well as their sponsors. Please keep them in your prayers as they move towards the great feast of Easter!

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: This year our assessment is $74,903, and we have received or had pledged $3,538 to date, leaving us with a balance of $71,365. If you are able, consider joining the 1% club—give $749. If you do that monthly over the next 10 month's it’s $75 a month—just $2.50 a day!

Catholic Medical Care right in our Parish! Bella Primary Care offers primary & pediatric healthcare in accordance with Catholic principles. They are located at 2000 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 304, in San Francisco.  For appointments, call 415-775-1500 or email our office at :info@bellaprimarycare.org 

Liturgical Calendar
Sunday              01          The Second  Sunday of Lent
Monday            02          Lenten Weekday
Tuesday            03          Lenten Weekday, Katherine Drexel; Virgin
Wednesday     04          Lenten Weekday. Casimir
Thursday          05          Lenten Weekday
Friday                06          Lenten Weekday
Saturday           07          Lenten Weekday. Perpetua & Felicity; Martyrs
Sunday              08          The Third Sunday of Lent

Your gifts of February 21 & 22:            $6,441.
Weekly Goal:  $8,670.
Shortfall:           $2,229.
Archdiocesan Appeal:             $823.
Ash Wednesday:          $2,292. 

We are always in shortfall. Fr. Tho asks for your help Please consider donating an amount equal to a breakfast or lunch or movie ticket. Your parish needs & appreciates your support!