1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33. Elijah heard God in a tiny whispering sound. Paul writes to the Romans that he has great sorrow and constant anguish in [his] heart for his own people. In the Gospel, Peter becomes frightened while walking on the water toward Jesus. Jesus catches him from sinking.

Domenico 19A Del Tempo Ordinario 

Ogni discepolo, di cui San Pietro è il prototipo nel vangelo di questa domenica, conosce momenti di incertezza e di dubbio. Quando comincia a vacillare grida: “Signore, salvami.” Gesù gli tenderà la mano per salvarlo. La fragilità della nostra fede non ci trattenga dal partecipare alla Liturgia della festa, per proclamare, con tutta la Comunità: “Tu sei veramente il Figlio di Dio! Signore vieni in aiuto alla mia fragile fede.”

常年期第十九主日 

讀經一記述厄里亞先知因受了許多迫害，感到力不從心，十分沮喪，便登曷勒布山，想得到安慰，他聽到聲音叫他出來立在天主面前。但天主不在暴風大作，裂山碎石之中，也不在地震烈火中出現。等到一切平靜了，有輕微細弱的風聲，厄里亞聽到了天主的聲音。他蒙着臉站在洞口。天主體恤他的辛勞，以溫柔慈愛安慰他。 

福音記述伯多祿看見水面走着的耶穌，請祂也讓他走在水面上到祂身邊。可是在風浪汹湧中，他害怕了，大聲叫喊，求主救助。厄里亞疲乏沮喪，遇困難時灰心失望；伯多祿在危險中膽怯畏懼，都是人之常情。我們在危險中，要記得依靠天主，呼求聖母幫助，堅信天主常在我們之內，就不至沉淪，因為天主會以最溫柔的愛鼓勵、指導保護我。 

星期二八月十五日，是聖母升天節，是當守瞻禮日，記得參與彌撒，聖母是我們天上的母親，她有全備之德，我們要向她學習，求她助佑，告訴她你愛她，把你的一切獻給她。

From the Pastor’s Desk 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

A group and I went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and as part of the trip, we visited the Sea of Galilee. We were there around the afternoon, and because of the hot climate, the lake’s water is constantly evaporating, making it look foggy. It was difficult to see from the middle of the lake to the shore. Jesus walked toward his disciples from the shore, and they thought he was a ghost. With the presence of Jesus, no one should be afraid or doubt. Faith Catholic has a good reflection for today’s readings: 

“Anyone who has attempted to follow Jesus’ example of spending quiet time alone in prayer has probably experienced the challenge of remaining focused and open to the Lord’s movement during that time. Our minds easily wander. Whether it is noise, suddenly remembering something we need to get done, nodding off because we’re tired, or other worries on our mind, a challenge we all face is learning how not to let those things distract us from remaining focused on the Lord. 

In the first reading, the Lord instructed Elijah to come out of the cave when he, the Lord, passed by. Elijah waited in the cave, watchful and attentive. But when the wind, the earthquake, and the fire came, he discerned that the Lord wasn’t present in any of them. So he remained watchful and attentive, until finally the Lord came by in a whispering sound. It was then that he recognized the Lord’s presence and stepped out.  

Recognizing the Lord’s presence is a skill, and one that we all can develop and hone. Elijah had spent years listening to and obeying the Lord’s commands, coming to know him. At this point in his journey, Elijah was able to sort out the noise and not let it distract him from what was truly important. We can learn this skill in prayer as well. But it takes time and practice.  

In the Gospel, Jesus comes toward the disciples walking on water. Peter boldly asks to join him. When Jesus beckons for him to come, Peter steps out of the boat and, initially, his attention is focused on Jesus. The wind was blowing and the waves were crashing against the boat, but as long as Peter kept his attention on Jesus, all was well. The moment his attention veered away and he noticed the wind, fear had an opening and moved in. Peter began to sink. 

There will be many times in our prayer when the storms of our lives pull our attention away from the Lord and fill us with fear and dread. Like Peter, we might feel as if we are sinking. When this happens, it is easy to become discouraged. It can be tempting to abandon prayer because it seems a waste of time when important needs are clamoring for our attention. 

“But prayer is not useless. Prayer is what keeps us afloat amid the storms of life.  Prayer, or rather, time with the Lord, is what drives away fear, anxiety, and dread. And when prayer becomes a struggle, we can call out to the Lord for help, as Peter did, and the Lord will immediately come to our aid, as he came to Peter’s. With the Lord’s help, we can trust that the day will come when we are more like Elijah and those storms don’t distract us from what is truly important: keeping our attention fixed on God’s presence in our lives.” 

Have a blessed week! 

Fr. Tho
Pastor 

Mass Intentions for the Week 

Sunday              August 9, 2026
8:45     Grazia Basuino & Family + – Dolores Smolen +
10:15  For the People of Saints Peter and Paul
12:00  Loriano & Anita Belluomini +
5:00     Steve, Lena, & Louise Cuneo + 

Monday             August 10, 2026
7:00     Angelo Sanguinetti +
9:00     Anniversary of the Death of Luigi Marciano + 

Tuesday            August 11, 2026
7:00     Louis DeNicolai +
9:00     Madeline Curreri + – Rose Pierucci + 

Wednesday    August 12, 2026
7:00     Annette & Tom Lazio +
9:00     Vincenzo & Mariannina Torrano +                    

Thursday          August 13, 2026
7:00     Ettorina Cardella & Family +
9:00     Joseph Leo Torre & Family + – Frances Irene Flynn + 

Friday                 August 14, 2026
7:00     Edward & Ernest Sabini +
9:00     Felice & Carmella Fazio + – Healing for Geoff Hoag                            

Saturday          August 15, 2026
7:30     Ettorina Cardella & Family +
9:00     Ralph & Evelyn Lavin + – Sue Lesca +
5:00     Elia & Franco Bruno + – Michael Munroe +                 

Baptisms
Cabrini Whittaker 

Rest in Peace
Dr. Haywood Robinson

Particular Items 

Mission Appeal: Today we have the annual Mission Appeal. This year’s guest missionary will be Fr. Ronald Sibugan, A.A., of the Assumptionists order. The North American Province of the Assumptionists carry on missionary work in Mexico, the Philippines, and East Africa. Their works include schools and nurseries, formation programs for both laity and clergy, and education and aid programs for underprivileged villages. Fr. Ronald will tell us more and please be generous! 

Salesian Cooperators Formation Meeting: The Cooperators, the Salesian Lay Ministry, founded by Don Bosco himself, will have their next formation meeting on August 10 at 7:00 PM, via Zoom. For the Zoom link, please email franklavin@comcast.net 

Don Bosco Study Group: The next meeting of the Study Group will be on August 18 at 4:00 PM, via Zoom. For summer reading, they are diving into “Child of These Tears,” by Molly McNett, an historical fiction novel. For the zoom link or more information, email franklavin@comcast.net. 

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 of the Sick 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. 

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Because August 15 falls on a Saturday this year, the Solemnity of the Assumption is not a Holy Day of Obligation. But Our Lady would probably be a little disappointed if we did not go to Mass! The Masses for the Solemnity of the Assumption will be at 7:30 and 9:00 AM. 

Is God Calling You? Discover OCIA! Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic faith? The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a welcoming journey for anyone:

· Seeking Baptism,
· Coming from another Christian tradition,
· Or looking to complete the sacraments,
· Join us for open discussion, prayer, and community.

When: Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.  Program begins September 23, 2026 – Pentecost 2027

Where: Don Bosco Room

Contact: Deacon Edward to register or ask questions. 

Come, open your heart to the wonderful future God wants to give you!  Let us walk beside you as you seek guidance and answers to your faith and spiritual path.

Introduce your children to their best friend, Jesus! CCD (Religious Education for Children and Youth): The 2026 CCD, for children grades K-12 will begin in September. Classes take place following the 8:45 AM Sunday Mass in the Don Bosco Room.. The CCD prepares children for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, and is directed by the Animator of our Salesian Sisters, Sr. Maria Luong, FMA.

First Religious Profession! On Saturday, August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, Salesian novice, Joseph Vu, will make his First Religious Profession at the 5:00 PM Mass. All are invited to attend and pray for Joseph as he moves forward on this journey!

School Golf Tournament! On September 28 at the Sonoma Golf Club, Saints Peter and Paul School will host their third annual golf tournament. The 18-hole tournament is the perfect chance to reconnect with classmates and make new connections with the Salesian Family. And all proceeds from the event benefit the school’s scholarship fund! 

For full details and tickets, visit ssppevents.org

Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School & Pre-K Accepting Applications: Our K-8 Salesian school is accepting applications for this year and next. Please email Dr. Lisa Harris at the school at lharris@sspeterpaulsf.org, or Jessyca Ng at the Pre-K at jng@sspeterpaulsf.org to learn more.

Sponsor a Student! 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 Fr. Tho at 415-421-0809 or Dr. Lisa Harris at 415-421-5219.

Salesian Young Adults:. THE YAG has Bible study, board games, monthly Mass, volunteering,, excursions and so much more. Events will be posted weekly on the Grapevine, the website for young Bay Area Catholics, and you can learn more here. yag.salesians.sspp@gmail.com

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: This year, our Archdiocesan Annual Assessment is $74,903. So far 49 families/parishioners have given or pledged $46,243 leaving us with a balance of $28,660. If you are able, consider joining the 1% club—give $749. That’s just $2.50 a day—less than a cup of coffee!

Catholic Primary Medical Care right in our Parish! Looking for a new primary care provider? Bella Primary Care offers healthcare in accordance with Catholic principles. They are located at 2000 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 304, in San Francisco. Now scheduling appointments for: For appointments, call 415-775-1500 or email our office at info@bellaprimarycare.org.  We look forward to caring for your families in a Christ-centered way!  Support Bella’s mission at www.bellaprimarycare.org

Liturgical Calendar
Sunday               09          The 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday              10          Lawrence; Deacon & Martyr
Tuesday             11          Clare; Virgin
Wednesday     12          Jane Frances de Chantal; Religious
Thursday           13          Pontian; Pope & Hippolytus; Priest; Martyrs
Friday                 14          Maximillian Kolbe; Priest, Martyr
Saturday            15          The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sunday               16          The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Your gifts of August 1 & 2: $3,433.
Weekly Goal: $8,670
Shortfall: $5,237.

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 and appreciates your support.