Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8. 14-15, 21-23. In the first reading, Moses proclaims the statutes of the Lord to the people, that they may have both life and land. In the second reading, James instructs believers to be doers of the word, caring for orphans and widows, and keeping oneself unstained by the world. In the Gospel, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes with their hypocrisy, noting that what makes a person unclean comes from within, not without.

Domenico 22A Del Tempo Ordinario La legge di Dio e la sua parola devono essere iscritte nel cuore, do dove escono i desideri cattivi, le intenzioi perverse, l’odio e la cupidigia, che rendono impuri. Il criterio ultimo della giusta osservanza della legge di Dio é la carità nei riguardi del prossimo, che prova l’autenticità della partecipazione all’eucarestia, sacramento della carità.

常年期第二十二主日

今天的三段讀經都和天主的法律有關，讀經一說明忠守法律是與天主結盟的必要條件。天主愛我們，不管我們愛不愛祂，祂仍舊愛我們，因此，守天主的法律是還報天主之愛。讀經二中，說明法律本來就在人的心裏，是天主把它種下的，但天主沒有用法律去束縛我們 而是用法律去幫助我們。我們可把法律比作在陡峭的山路上的欄杆，或校園裏的圍欄，是為保護我們，讓我們安全地上山、下山；讓孩子們可以自由安全地在校園玩耍。

遵守法律（誡命）令我們學習效法天主，並使我們清楚地知道自己正是在真和善的道路上行走，可以分享天主的美善，肖似天主。聖雅各伯勸告信徒「要以柔川之心，接受那種在你們心裏，而能救你們靈魂的聖言」。

福音更一再申明守法着重內心，外表死守法律而內心並不真心誠意，沒有懷着愛和尊重是徒然的。耶穌討厭這種形式主義，稱這種人是假善人。祂要我們時刻保存內心的潔淨和仁愛，那麼我們就自然表現出守誡的行為，完全不必刻意做作了。

From the Pastor's Desk

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In 2019, I did a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and during the trip, I visited the Jewish area of the Wailing Wall. As soon as I entered the Western Wall Plaza, I saw a number of fountains for ritual hand-washing before praying at the wall. Each station has cups that people use to get the water from the fountain and wash their hands. It is not required to do so, but for tourists, it is a way to experience the ritual.

In today’s Gospel of Mark, the Pharisees criticize Jesus and his disciples for eating meal without washing their hands. Jesus uses this opportunity to confront the Pharisees. Jesus says, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Mark 7: 14-15. Jesus just from the inside of heart to the outside of action.

The Pharisees paid more attention to the externals of the ritual washing, but they forgot the meaning of the rite itself and lost its value. Originally, the rite of purification ended with a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving. The Pharisees should focus on giving thanks to God at the ritual. They fail to do so by accusing others who break the law and miss the true meaning of it. Jesus did not discourage the washing of hands, but he wants people to practice it from within their hearts.

For us, when we come to Sunday Mass, are we participating in the liturgy to fulfill an obligation, or because of our love for the Lord, and our love for the church community? When we practice our obligation because of fear of punishment and not because of love for God, then our practice become a meaningless gesture.

There are people who only go to church on special occasions such as Christmas and Easter just to fulfill a sense of obligation—which is nothing wrong with it, but they miss the value of being with the church community and giving thanks to the Lord. The question for all of us to reflect on is: do we really love God and want to be part of this church community by attending the Sunday liturgy every week?

Let us pray for ourselves to be faithful and to persevere by practicing our faith and living it in our daily lives. And we should not forget to pray for those who miss the regular Sunday liturgy.

Have a blessed week!

Fr. Tho Pastor

Mass Intentions For The Week

Sunday September 1, 2024 8:45 The Aicardi, Dal Cin, & Camoriani Families + 10:15 Mary Tang (Owyoung) + 12:00 GB De Martini + – Alberto Caccia + 5:00 The Pierini & Spes Families +

Monday September 2, 2024 7:00 Nicola Sanguinetti + 9:00 Gaetano & Lucrezia Balestreri +

Tuesday September 3, 2024 7:00 Silvia Leonardo + – Anthony Gibson + 9:00 The Birthday of Frank Germano +

Wednesday September 4, 2024 7:00 Amelia DeNicolai + 9:00 Vincenzo & Mariannina Torrano + – Healing Bernie Poggetti

Thursday September 5, 2024 7:00 Edward Sabini + 9:00 Giovanni Riccio + – Pinuccia Piazza + Friday September 6, 2024 7:00 The Intention of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone 9:00 Joseph Leo Torre & Family + – The First Anniversary of the Death of Stephanie Santander +

Saturday September 7, 2024 7:30 Andrea Genoveffa + 9:00 For the Soul of Gelasio Bini + 5:00 Marie & Walter Souza & Gig Ghiglieri +

Marriages Paul Michael Ahearne and Rosylan Rojas

Rest in Peace Gaetana San Filippo

Particular Items

Fr. Vien Nguyen Welcome, Fr. Vien! We have a new Salesian Priest, Father Vien Nguyen, SDB. Father made his First Profession August 14, 2009; his Perpetual Profession August 15, 2016, and was Ordained a Priest in Oakland, CA in September 5, 2020. Here is brief bio: “I was assigned as the vocation director of the Salesians of Don Bosco, USA West and stationed at De Sales Hall in Bellflower, CA in 2020. I moved to Saint John Bosco High School in 2022, and moved again to Salesian College Preparatory in Richmond in 2023. After four years being a vocation director, I am currently assigned here at the Saints Peter and Paul in San Francisco with other Salesians.” Welcome, Fr. Vien, and we look forward to meeting you!

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

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 (this Friday!) we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass.

Saints Peter and Paul School Golf Tournament! Join us September 16 for an 18-hole tournament at the beautiful Sonoma Golf Club, with a shotgun start at 10:00 AM. Single-player or foursome ticket options are available. Registration includes golf, a boxed lunch on the cart, and a tee prize. All proceeds benefit Saints Peter and Paul School. For tickets and to learn more, visit ssppevents.org/golf. And if you have questions, please contact PTO@ssppevents.org

Bishop Athanasius Schneider: On Monday, September 16, at Star of the Sea Church, 8th Avenue and Geary, Bishop Athanasius Schneider will speak on his new book “Flee from Heresy.” The event begins with a reception at 5:45PM. Learn more at starparish.com. Sponsored by the Benedict XVI Institute.

November Centennial Celebration!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! On November 9-10, 2024 we will mark the 100 Year Anniversary of Saints Peter and Paul Church. Of course, the first Saints Peter and Paul was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906, but the cornerstone for this lovely Church you see around you was laid in 1924, so this year marks 100 years!

On SATURDAY, November 9, at 5:00 PM, we will have a special Mass which will include a Renewal of Marriage Vows for all who were married here, (or were married in another Catholic Church).

100th Anniversary Banquet: There will also be a prime rib banquet, after the Saturday Mass, open to all, in the auditorium. Tickets for the Saturday banquet are $80; $40 for children under 12. For more info and banquet tickets, use the qcode at left or visit https://bit.ly/SsPP100Banquet, or call the parish office at 415-421-0809.

AND on SUNDAY, November 10, at 11:00 AM we will have our 100 Year Anniversary celebration! Fr. Mel Trinidad, our Salesian Provincial will be the principal celebrant of the Mass, which will be followed by a luncheon for all in the auditorium.

Guess who?

HELP! & GUESS WHO? As we prepare for the 100th Anniversary we need help from parishioners. Were you or your parents married here? We want pictures! Call Gibbons at the parish office or email gibbons@salesiansspp.org. Meanwhile, can you name this lovely SSPP couple? (Last week’s mystery couple were Benedictus Ong and Diah Ida Ayu, married her on March 29, 2014).

Want to See our100th Anniversary Video Invitation? Of course you do! Please check out our video invitation by going to https://bit.ly/SsPP100Anni, and please share with all your friends and family!

See the Unseen! Brennan Award Dinner: Please “See the Unseen” by joining the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco at the 31st Brennan Award Dinner on Thursday, October 3rd at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Proceeds support programs offering hope and service to those in need. "No need is foreign to us." San Francisco's Society, one of the first in the United States, manages the City's largest shelter, as well as a Navigation Center and a secure refuge for victims of domestic violence. To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, please visit svdp-sf.org and click on “Purchase a Sponsorship” or scan the QR code

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 Barbara Simons at the Pre-K at bsimons@sspeterpaulsf.org to learn more!

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: The 2024 Archdiocesan Appeal is underway. This year’s assessment is $68,867. So far 54 families/parishioners have given $37,927 leaving us with a balance of $30,940. To donate or watch a good video about the 2024 appeal, and what it supports, go to salesiansspp.org/donations. If you can, join the 1% club! Give $688! But all gifts are deeply appreciated!

2024-2025 Religious Education Religious Education—(CCD Sunday School): "Lord, when did we see you hungry" Mt 25:37 - 2024 Catechetical Theme. Welcome back old and new students, registration for 2024-2025 school year is now open. (Grades K to 8). Application forms are available in the parish office or Sts Peter and Paul Church website https://salesiansspp.org/religious-education. Classes are from 9:45 to 11:00 AM on Sundays.

Volunteer CCD Sunday School teacher search: We are looking for volunteers who would like to teach Grade school students. Join us in this honorable ministry of teaching and sharing faith. For more information, please email ete@sspeterpaulsf.org or call (415) 421-0809.

RCIA: RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a program through which the Church welcomes, educates, and journeys those persons seeking full communion in the Catholic faith through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The 2024-2025 sessions begins in September 2024 and continues through Pentecost, 2025. Sessions are held every Wednesday from 7-8:30pm in the Don Bosco room. Registration forms and more info may be found at salesiansspp.org/religious-education

Sponsor a Student! 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 Fr. Tho!

Liturgical Calendar Sunday 01 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday 02 Weekday in Ordinary Time Tuesday 03 Gregory the Great; Pope, Doctor Wednesday 04 Weekday in Ordinary Time Thursday 05 Weekday in Ordinary Time riday 06 Weekday in Ordinary Time Saturday 07 Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sunday 08 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Your gifts of August 24/25: $3,705. Your gifts of August 17/18: $2,743. Two Weeks Goal: $17,340. Shortfall: $10,892. August 17/18 Second Collection (AAA): $823.

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! Your parish appreciates your continued support!