Acts 6: 1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14: 1-12. In the first reading, the Twelve choose seven reputable men to be their assistants and serve at table. In his Letter, Peter writes that all who have faith are to be living stones, imitating Christ. In John’s Gospel, Jesus declares himself the way and the truth and the life, calling those who believe in him to do the works he does.

Domenica 5A Di Pasqua Ai cristiani non vengono risparmiate aspre critiche e ciò li spinge a unirsi ancor più strettamente a Gesù Cristo. Soltanto con Lui sono in grado di edificare la nuova civiltà dell’amore, capace di compiere opera grande.

復活期第五主日

今天的福音充滿溫情，耶穌知道祂的十二門徒中，有人出賣祂、否認祂，必定心神沮喪，況且自己即將離開他們，他們會覺得無所依靠，心傷神喪。為此祂要安慰他們，勸他們不要心煩意亂，告訴他們，既然信賴天主，就該相信祂是去為他們作準備。祂會再來。

祂告訴他們，也告訴我們，祂是道路、真理、生命。祇要跟隨祂，不會喪亡，不會迷失。藉着祂，我們認識天主聖父，所以祂是道路；祂所講論的不是自己的話，而是天父的話，依從這教導，實行這教導，我們認識真理；永生全在於認識天主愛天主。因此，我們應該走耶穌所指示的道路，用信仰去契合，用愛德去生活。

《師主篇》的作者說得好：「沒有道路，不能到達；沒有真理，不能認識什麼，沒有生命，不能生活。」讓我們走上耶穌的道路，活出耶穌的模樣來。 今天又是母親節，讓我們祈禱求聖母保護我們的母親身體和靈魂都充滿天主的恩寵。也求她幫助天下做母親的善盡做母親的責任。

From the Pastor's Desk

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Every time we enter Saints Peter and Paul Church and look straight up to the image of Jesus on the dome, we see the face of Jesus and the book in his left hand containing the Latin verse from John’s Gospel, “Ego, Sum Via, Veritas, Vita”: in English, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:16). This Scripture verse is the answer of Jesus to Thomas the Apostle when he asked, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the Way?” (John 14:4).

Jesus said, “I am the way.” It is not a physical way like a map or GPS that Jesus is telling us. It is the spiritual way. The way that Jesus tells his disciples, and us, is that to follow him, imitate him and do whatever he commands us to do. Perhaps one of the ways is to come to Mass. Parents with children come to Mass together and this practice helps the family to be with God and with the church community. We believe this practice is one way that will lead us closer to God the Father.

Jesus said, “I am the truth.” The truth is that Jesus is truly the Son of God who comes to this world to die for our sins. Jesus reveals to us the truth of God the Father. Jesus tells his disciples, “If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” (John 14: 7). Although God is invisible and unseen, many of us may ask “What is God like?” The truth of the matter is that for us Christians, this question has already been answered. Jesus came the world more than two thousand years ago. God the Father is like Jesus and so if we know the teaching of Jesus then we know God the Father.

Jesus said, “I am the life.” Jesus Christ rose from the dead in order to lead us to eternal life. Jesus knows that he will physically leave this world but he wants to be with us always. At the Last Supper, Jesus established the Eucharist so that he remains with us, to make us fully alive in Him. Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” (John 6:54) When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are called to act Christ-like. We can recognize Jesus when someone imitates Jesus. For example, a friend by our side in a time of distress or illness or when we are down in trouble. When we make mistakes by doing the wrong things, we can seek reconciliation through a priest who, on behalf of Jesus, can forgive us.

Let us remind ourselves that Jesus is, “The Way, and the Truth and the Life.” Only through Jesus will we be closer to God. And only Jesus can lead us to the eternal life that we are all hoping for.

Have a blessed Fifth Easter Week!

Fr. Tho Bui, SDB Pastor

Mass Intentions For The Week

Sunday May 7, 2023 8:45 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul 10:15 Sin King Tam + 12:00 Birthdays of Rinaldo & Maria De Martini + – Giuliana Marciano + 5:00 Pietro, Adele, & Elena Domenici +

Monday May 8, 2023 7:00 Clementina & Giosue Bresolin + 9:00 Joseph & Grace Mazzaferri + – Healing Phyllis Ross

Tuesday May 9, 2023 7:00 Birthday of Antonia D’Ascoli + 9:00 Louis DeNicolai + – Aurora Piazza +

Wednesday May 10, 2023 7:00 In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. J.F. Kwan + 9:00 Wedding Anniversary of Marilou & Herbert Cua & The Cua Family + – Giuliana Marciano +

Thursday May 11, 2023 7:00 Edward Sabini + 9:00 Birthday of Solomon M. Bugayong + – Irma Ferro +

Friday May 12, 2023 7:00 Anniversary of the Death of Fortunato D’Ascoli + 9:00 Gaetano & Lucrezia Balistreri + – John Joseph McKeon +

Saturday May 13, 2023 7:30 Ettorina Cardella & Family + 9:00 Clementine Bresolin, Erminia & Maria Santa Lucia & Pia Ortesi + –Angelo Panari + 5:00 The Edward & Eileen Ziomek & Myrtle Lane Families +

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 - Mary Ann Podedworny

Marriages Michael Storer & Loara Barbosa

Rest in Peace Giorgio Vecchiola – Betty Hepler - Colin Kramer

Particular Items

Santa Gemma: Today at the 12:00 noon Italian Mass, we will celebrate the feast of Santa Gemma, dear to the hearts of Italians and the Lucchesi worldwide. A luncheon at the Italian Athletic Club will follow and parking will be available in the schoolyard.

Second Collections: Today there will be a second collection for our building maintenance fund Please be generous. And next week we will have a second collection for Catholic Charities.

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.

May Crowning! As we all know, May is the month of Mary. On Thursday, May 24, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, our students will present our Blessed Mother with a crown of beautiful flowers at the 9:00AM Mass. We all know how much she will love that! Everyone is invited!

The Salesian Cooperators (the Salesian Lay Ministry) will start regular monthly formation classes for those who have made their Cooperators promise already. The next meeting, via Zoom, is Thursday, May 25 at 7pm. Visit ‘Events’ on our website for the ZOOM login info.

Who ARE the Salesian Cooperators? Interested in finding out more about our Salesian mission here and around the world? About concrete ways to share in Don Bosco’s Salesian charism and spirituality while growing in your own spirituality? Consider finding out more of what it means to become a Salesian Cooperator, or a dedicated lay Salesian. Contact Frank Lavin for more info (franklavin@comcast.net, 415.310.8551).

Don Bosco Study Group: The Study Group will meet on Tuesday, May 30 at 4:00 PM in the Don Bosco Room and by ZOOM. Please email franklavin@comcast.net for more information

June 10, 2023 Eucharistic Congress: The Eucharistic Congress will take place at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on June 10, 2023, with 5:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, and Most Rev. J. Peter Sartain, Archbishop Emeritus of Seattle. The Congress will include English, Spanish, and Youth track options.The Congress will also include a Eucharistic Miracles exhibit, time for Eucharistic Adoration and Sacrament of Reconciliation. Registration is now open for the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Eucharistic Congress! Go here to register: sfarch.org/registration-eucharistic-congress/

Corpus Christi Procession: Join us, Sunday, June 11 (Corpus Christi Sunday), following the noon Mass as we honor our Risen Lord and bring him to North Beach in our annual Corpus Christi procession. We will process around Washington Square and the block of the Church. Bring flower petals to scatter and rosaries to pray! Children are especially welcome! “Only by walking with the Lord can we survive the pilgrimage of our history. Thus Corpus Christi interprets our whole life, the whole history of this world: it is a pilgrimage to the Promised Land, and it can hold its course only if it is a walking with Him who has come among us as bread and Word.” - Pope Benedict XVI, ‘Seek that Which is Above.’

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal: Our assessment this year is $64,663. Your donations help support important things like St. Patrick’s Seminary! So far 37 families/parishioners have pledged or donated $22,185 leaving us with a balance of $42,478. If you, can, join the 1% club—give $647! But ALL Parishioners should give SOMETHING! Help us to meet this shared obligation!

Thanks, Joselyn and Rich...and Fr. Armand: On Monday we celebrated the very well-attended Salesian Boys and Girls Club Old-Timers Mass. Following Mass there were dinners honoring this years recipients of the Bertha Bedoni Award (Joselyn Staley) and the Fr. Trinchieri Award (Rich Azzolino). And 103 year-old Fr. Armand Oliveri was at the men’s dinner, giving the benediction! Thanks for the photos, Patrick!

Catholic Medical Care right in our Parish! Bella Health and Wellness offers healthcare in accordance with Catholic principles. They are located at 2000 Van Ness Avenue. “Bella is an answer to my prayers to bring an authentically Catholic woman-centered healthcare clinic to our people in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. I invite your collaboration and support so together we can make something beautiful for God. May God bless and reward you for doing so!”– Archbishop Cordileone. Give at www.bellahw.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, sspeterpaulsf.org/ or Barbara Simons at the Pre-K at bsimons@sspeterpaulsf.org to learn more!

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 w 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.

Salesian Young Adults: Want fun, friends, service and faith? Our Salesian Young Adults invite you to share all of the above as we serve our Church and get to know one another! Visit https://salesiansspp.org/salesian-young-adults

Catholic Legislative Advocacy: Join us in advocating for Catholic issues of life, justice and peace. The Archdiocesan Office of Human Life & Dignity is putting together a legislative advocacy team. You can be involved as much or as little as you choose-write an email, visit a lawmaker, make phone calls and more. This year, we will be working on four issues with the California Catholic Conference: protecting prolife pregnancy centers, gun violence, housing and teacher grants. To join our team, please go to this link to sign up: https://sfarchdiocese.org/legislative-advocacy-team-sign-up/ Questions: Valerie Schmalz, Director, Office of Human Life & Dignity, schmalzv@sfarch.org

Liturgical Calendar Sunday 07 Fifth Sunday of Easter Monday 08 Easter Weekday Tuesday 09 Easter Weekday Wednesday 10 Easter Weekday, John of Avila; Priest, Doctor, Damian de Veuster; Priest Thursday 11 Easter Weekday Friday 12 Easter Weekday, Pancras; Martyr, Nereus & Achilleus; Martyrs Saturday 13 Easter Weekday, Our Lady of Fatima Sunday 14 Sixth Sunday of Easter

Your gifts of April 29/30: $3,165. Weekly Goal: $8,670. Shortfall: $5,505. Second Collection (For the Poor): $1,200. Thank you! Your Church needs and appreciates your support!