Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7; I Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the longing of the people of Israel for God’s return and help in times of trouble: That [he] would rend the heavens and come down, such that mountains would quake and awesome deeds take place. Paul gives thanks for the grace of God bestowed on the Corinthians, and assures them that they are not lacking in any spiritual gift. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, Be watchful! Be alert! For they do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.

Domenica 1A Di Avvento

Riprende il cammino dell’Anno Liturgico, perché il cristiano si prepare all’incontro con la Bontà di Dio. Sono duee I pensieri che accompagnano questo tempo di attesa: Dio ama gli uomini e lo dimostra facendoci, dono di suo Figlio; ogni cristano, poi, deve vivere alla luce di questa fondamentale verità sintonizzando tutte le proprie azioni sulla bontà di Dio.

將臨期第一主日

今天是教會禮儀年的開始，就像2018年一月一日是新的一年開始一樣。教會把禮儀年開始的四個主日定為將臨期，主日的讀經分甲、乙、丙三個週年，甲年讀瑪竇福音、乙年讀瑪爾谷福音、丙年讀路加福音，若望福音穿插在三年中，今年是乙年，主日的讀經專注於瑪爾谷福音。

本主日是將臨期第一主日，讀的是瑪爾谷福音13:33-37。耶穌提醒祂的門徒要提防、警醒，時刻準備，祂的話不單是對門徒們，也是對我們說的。因為世界或是我們自己終結的時刻不能預知，所以要時刻準備。

將臨期不單為準備慶祝耶穌聖誕，也為準備好世界末日耶穌在再來審判生者死者。耶穌在福音中一再提及要警醒，意思是要我們要專注，要心無旁鶩，不要想別的事情，祇想怎樣守好天主的誡命，愛天主愛人。因此，在這將臨期中，我們應該整頓生活，好好地祈禱、讀聖經、愛天主愛世人。這樣我們就可實現了像讀經二（格前1：3-9），聖保祿對格林多人的願望，充滿了對天主期盼。如果心中常有天主，什麼都不用怕了。

From the Pastor’s Desk

Saint WHO?

Ambrose; Bishop + 397

Feastday December 7

Ambrose lived in Northern Italyt in the second half of the 4th century. While he was serving as governor in Milan, he was caught up in a conflict between Catholics and Arians, who denied the full divinity of Christ. Each side wanted one of their own to be the city’s new bishop. He besought them to make their choice peacefully and the responded by electing Ambrose bishop himself.

He threw himself into his new role, sold his possessions, and lived as a father to his flock. Though he did not seek out conflict, he was not afraid to take in powerful opposition when necessary. It was during one such conflict that Ambrose’s musical power manifested itself. The Arians, backed by the government, were trying to take over a Church belonging to Catholics. The faithful, with Ambrose, occupied the church for a week, barricading the doors. To strengthen his congregation, Ambrose composed hymns for them to sing, back and forth. Ambrose wrote using a straightforward meter, with simple but profound words. As a commentator writes, his hymns were “genuinely poetic in the classical sense, yet thoroughly biblical and Christian in vocabulary and sentiment.” They were written to be memorized and served their purpose beautifully. Commenting on the Ambrosian hymns, Saint Augustine writes, “The voices flowed into my ears, and the truth was pored into my heart.”

Heavenly Father, inspired by Saint Ambrose and aided by his prayers, may the faithful find courage to resist oppression and sing your praise.

Fr. Al Mengon, SDB

Parochial Vicar

Taken from “The Magnificat”

Mass Intentions For The Week

Sunday December 3, 2023

8:45 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul

10:15 Emil & Conchita Chao & Joseph Leung +

12:00 Steve & Lena Cuneo +

5:00 The Edward & Eileen Ziomek & Myrtle Lane Families +

Monday December 4, 2023

7:00 Mylyn Kalaykan and Cathy Te (birthdays)

9:00 Maria Russo & Luigi Cirelli +

Tuesday December 5, 2023

7:00 Anniversary of the Death of Rose Marenzi +

9:00 Giuseppe & Angela Balistreri & Family +

Wednesday December 6, 2023

7:00 Nicola Sanguinetti +

9:00 Gaetano Alioto + – Jon Michael Bugatto +

Thursday December 7, 2023

7:00 The Birthday of Andrea Marenzi +

9:00 Louis, Eugenia, & Raymond Raggio +

Friday December 8, 2023

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

7:00 Andrea Genoveffa +

9:00 Concetta Romeo + – David Poss +

6:00 Healing for Rose Baglin

Saturday December 9, 2023

7:30 Birthday of Maria Fuller

9:00 Victor, Emily, & Theresa Candia + – Genio Mercurio +

5:00 Ruth, Guido, & Gig Ghiglieri +

WEEKLY INTENTIONS For each intention mentioned in the group below, individual Masses will be said in our Parishes, Schools or Missions.

In Honor of the Infant of Prague

Rest in Peace

Fabio Cortara – Flavia Bardelli

Mario Muschi – Osvaldo Dell’Angelica

Long Tran ̶ Mario Crotti

Particular Items

Eucharistic Adoration & Confession/ Anointing of the Sick: We have Adoration & Confession every Friday, following the 7:00 AM Mass. And on the first Friday of the month we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass.

玫瑰經 Chinese Apostolate First Sunday Rosary: The Apostolate meets every first Sunday of the month following the 10:15 AM Mass, to pray the Rosary in the Don Bosco Room.

Christmas Legends: St. Nicholas: December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas. How did St. Nicholas become “Santa Claus”? Nicholas was a priest, born in Patara, in 280 AD, in what is now Turkey. He became Bishop of the city of Myra. He was well known for his generosity to the poor. Once, a merchant in Myra had a business disaster, leaving his three daughters without dowries. This meant they couldn’t get married, and might be sold into slavery by creditors. Nicholas, the good bishop, heard about this and decided to take action. He sneaked onto the roof of the merchant’s house on three successive nights, dropping a bag of gold down the chimney each night. The astonished father, wondering where the gold was coming from, lay in wait on the third night. He caught St. Nicholas in the act, and embraced him in gratitude. In due course, all three daughters got married. Ever since, children have hung their stockings by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, to make things as easy as possible for St. Nick! The kindly St. Nick is also remembered for punching the arch-heretic Arius in the nose at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.

Lessons and Carols December 7 at 6:00 PM: Once again, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Saints Peter and Paul School invite you to Lessons & Carols, a glorious preparation for the great celebration of Christ mas! The SHC Chamber Choir and the Saints Peter and Paul School Children's Choir will come together to perform a joyous collection of carols and hymns paired with reflective readings to usher in the Christmas season. The doors open at 6 pm, performance begins promptly at 6:30 pm.. The event is free, but an RSVP is required for tickets.

Immaculate Conception: Friday we celebrate the wonderful Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have Masses at 7:00 & 9:00AM and 6:00PM. Due to a scheduling error, this year there will NOT be a Vigil Mass on December 7.

Brave Catholics wanted for the Cruzada Guadalupaña! This year marks the 30th Annual Cruzada Guadalupaña honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe! It begins Saturday, December 9 at 5:00AM at All Souls Parish in South San Francisco, and pilgrims walk to St. Mary’s Cathedral for a 2PM Mass with Archbishop Cordileone. Buses leave the Cathedral at 4:00AM to bring walkers from SF to All Souls, and after the Mass, buses will bring people who need it back to all souls. All info is here: cruzadaguadalupana.org/ It’s a long walk, but: "No estoy yo aquí que soy tu Madre?"

Advent Marian Prayer Service with Archbishop Cordileone: Join Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship at Star of the Sea Church on Sunday, December 10, at 4:00 PM. The service will feature the premiere of two new pieces of music: the Chesterton Carol by Mark Nowakowski and Mina Pariseau’s Our Lady Expectant, an Advent Carol. A reception will follow. Star of the Sea is at 8th Ave. & Geary in San Francisco.

Christmas Poinsettias: In a Saints Peter and Paul tradition we are offering Christmas Memorial poinsettias for sale. You can remember a loved one and decorate the Church for Christmas at the same time! People will be taking orders in front of the church on December 10 & 17, or you can email or call the parish office. Price is $20.

Advent Penance Service: On Thursday, December 14, at 7:00 PM, we will host our Advent Penance Service. Individual confessions will be heard in English, Spanish, Italian, Cantonese and Vietnamese. In the words of the Baptist, let’s “make straight the paths of the Lord’ into our hearts!

Christmas Novena Services: Come join your Salesian Priests, brothers, and Sisters at our Advent Novena Services. They will be prayed from Monday December 18 through Wednesday, December 20, and on Friday, December 22 at 5:00 PM

Advent Giving Tree for Poor Moms & Children: Project Gabriel of the Archdiocese of San Francisco has an Advent Giving Tree where you can support mothers in need and their children this Christmas. Go to sfarch.org/gabriel-project-advent-tree/ and select the gift you would like to give!

Sponsor a Student! Are you able to help a student receive a Catholic education? We are receiving more request for financial aid than ever before. The Salesians started by educating the children of the poor and we are not about to stop now—but like Don Bosco before us we need your help! We invite financially able parishioners to help with this ministry. Please call Dr. Lisa Harris at 421-5219 or Fr. Tho Bui at 421-0809.

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: Our assessment this year is $64,663. You can watch a video showing some of the things your AAA gifts support at www.salesiansspp.org/donations. So far 69 families/parishioners have pledged or donated $49,856 leaving us with a balance of $14,807. If you, can, join the 1% club—give $647! But ALL Parishioners should give SOMETHING! Help us to meet this shared obligation!

Liturgical Calendar

Sunday 03 First Sunday of Advent

Monday 04 John Damascene

Tuesday 05 Advent Weekday

Wednesday 06 Nicholas; Bishop

Thursday 07 Ambrose; Bishop, Doctor

Friday 08 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday 09 Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

Sunday 10 Second Sunday of Advent

Your gifts of November 25/26: $2,903.

Weekly goal: $8,670.

Shortfall: $5,767.

Your Gifts of November 18/19: $2,370.

Shortfall: $6,300.

Second Collection (CHD): $738.

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. Thank you!