1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7. 10-13a; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38. In the first reading, the Lord sends Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem because the Lord has chosen the new king from among Jesse’s sons. Samue l goes, and anoints David in the presence of his brothers. In Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, he exhorts them to live as children of light. In the Gospel, Jesus encounters a man blind from birth. After Jesus gives the man sight, the Pharisees become divided over the account. The man defends Jesus, explaining that he must be from God.

Domenica 4A Di Quaresima

In un mondo in cui violenza, conflitto, rivalità e menzogna sembrano avere il sopravvento, la presenza dei cristiani pone una forza di segno contrario. La bontà è vita di amore, accoglienza, disponibilità, perdono; la giustizia è onestà, apertura alla volontà del Signore; la verità è adesione al Vangelo e ai suoi criteri. La famiglia e la comunità cristiana sono luoghi in cui si manifesta la luce, in cui si educa alla fede e ai suoi valori.

封齋期第四主日（四旬期第四主日）

今天的福音記述耶穌治好胎生瞎子。聖史若望用了好長的一段，描寫瞎子被法利塞人反覆盤問，以至問到他的父母，目的無非是想低貶耶穌，想盡方法去說服其他人，祂不是默西亞。他們不肯相信那失明的人先前是瞎子，後來經耶穌醫治後看見了，最後他們說耶穌是罪人，不守安息日，在安息日治病。這一切無非都是極力想否認耶穌的能力。但敵不過瞎子極力證明，終於祇好把瞎子趕出會堂。

瞎子單純的信德和法利塞人的不信造成強烈的對比。他和耶穌的對話令人佩服：耶穌問：「你信人子麼？」回答：「主，他是誰？好使我去信他。」他原本以為耶穌是先知，但從耶穌所行的奇跡，他相信耶穌的話可靠，耶穌說：「你已看見他了，和你講話的就是！」瞎子聽了就信，他說：「主，我信。」並立即俯伏朝拜了耶穌。多麼單純的信德！

我們對耶穌的態度是怎樣？像法利塞人的多疑不信嗎？還是像瞎子那樣單純地信？

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

This year our parish has three catechumens: Erika Rael, Christoval Rael and Garon Cummings, and two candidates: Rachael Mallory and Rebecca Bradshaw. They have been attending classes and preparing for baptism and confirmation. Last Sunday, they participated in the special rites of the Church which are called the Scrutinies. The rites of Scrutinies starts on the Third, then the Fourth and then Fifth Sundays of Lent. Three Sunday Gospel readings from the Year A cycle where the Scrutinies are celebrated, teach the elect (catechumens and candidates) about the mystery of sin, and fill them with the Spirit of Christ.

Many of us may ask, what are the Scrutinies? They are the rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The Scrutinies are meant to uncover, and heal, all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect to bring out and strengthen all that is good. For the Scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all things.

The rites of Scrutinies reflect on the Gospel passages:

Third Sunday of Lent, the Gospel is about the Samaritan Woman at the well, describes Christ is the Living Water. Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel is about the healing of the man who was born blind, describes Jesus is the Light of the World. Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel is about the raising of Lazarus from the dead, describes Jesus is the Resurrection and the life.

There are three Scrutinies. The first Scrutiny includes a “Rite of Exorcism” which is a prayer for the elect to free them from sin, protect them from the power of Satan and help them toward salvation. The second Scrutiny reminds the elect of the enlightenment or illumination that they are preparing for in baptism and confirmation in the Easter. For us who are already Catholic and the elect, Lent is a time to intensify the desire to be enlightened by Christ the Light. Jesus, who says, “I am the light of the world.” Christ helps us to open our eyes, our minds and our hearts to his words. He came into the world to be our light. And the third Scrutiny reminds the elect and all of us who are baptized of the promises God has made through Jesus of eternal life. Jesus raises Lazarus from death to life. He will also raise us up on the last day. Let us pray for our catechumens and candidates as they continue to prepare for the baptism and confirmation on the coming of Saturday Easter Vigil. Have a blessed week!

–Fr. Tho Bui, SDB Pastor

Mass Intentions For The Week

Sunday March 19, 2023 8:45 Louis & Enes Greco + 10:15 Michael Roman + 12:00 Steve & Lena Cuneo + – Sergio Tuccori + 5:00 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul

Monday March 20, 2023 7:00 Domenico, Francesca, Tom, Giuseppe, & Frances Cresci + 9:00 Healing Michael Pellissier – Lucy Chan +

Tuesday March 21, 2023 7:00 Giuseppina Ross + 9:00 Joseph Maggiora & the Maggiora Family + –Lindy Bacchetti +

Wednesday March 22, 2023 7:00 Josephine Mazzucco + 9:00 Luigi & Rosa Mangini + – Rosario Etcheveste +

Thursday March 23, 2023 7:00 Michael Gunning + 9:00 Pietro, Adele, & Elena Domenici + – Joe Machi +

Friday March 24, 2023 7:00 Joseph Leo Torre & Family + 9:00 Anniversary of the Death of Javier Llorente + – Lucy Chan +

Saturday March 25, 2023 7:30 The Giurlani Family + 9:00 The Soul of Eleanor Sabini + – Tom Costello + 5:00 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul

Rest in Peace Marie Moresco – Lucy Chan Irma Ferro

Particular Items

Second Collection: Today there will be a special collection for Catholic Relief Services. A we speak CRS is sending funds to partner organizations in Turkey and Syria to help the survivors of the devastating earthquake. Please be generous!

‘Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord’ (Is. 1:18) Lenten Penance Service: We will have a Lenten Penance Service on Monday March 20 at 7:00 PM. Confessions will be heard in English, Spanish, Italian, & Vietnamese. All parishioners are invited and urged to attend.

GREAT WEEK! This week we celebrate TWO Solemnities! Monday we celebrate St. Joseph, who humbly accepted his role as Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And Saturday we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord, when Mary, humbly accepting God’s will, moved forward the plan of salvation!

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.

Lenten Penance Service: Join us Monday, March 20 at 7:00 PM for our Lenten Penance Service with individual confession heard in English, Spanish, Italian, & Vietnamese.

Archdiocesan Lenten Speaker Series On the Eucharistic Revival:Throughout March the Archdiocese is hosting speakers at various parishes discussing the Eucharistic Revival. On March 21 Fr. Robert McTeague, SJ will speak at 7:00PM, at Star of the Sea Church, 8th Avenue & Geary in San Francisco. Adoration & confession will follow.

Stations of the Cross: We will observe the Stations of the Cross every Friday in Lent at 6:00 PM. Stations will be followed by a soup supper in the cafeteria.

40 Days for Life” is a peaceful prayer vigil that takes place from Ash Wednesday (February 22) through Palm Sunday (April 2) 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/

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. Give back some time to Jesus!

“Havana Nights” School Spring Fundraiser: Mark your calendars for Havana Nights, Saints Peter & Paul Salesian School’s Spring Fundraiser! Join us on March 25 at the Italian Athletic Club! The fun begins at 6:30 PM with a Live Auction, light bites, champagne toast, cocktails & mocktails, and dancing! Call 415-421-5219 or visit https://sites.google.com/view/ssppgala/ for tickets!

Catholic Medical Care right in our Parish! The fundraiser for Bella Health & Wellness, offering healthcare in accordance with Catholic principles at 2000 Van Ness Avenue, is sold out! But they can still use your donations and you can stiull support Catholic healthcare in San Francisco! Visit bellahw.org/ to learn more and help!

The Salesian Cooperators (the Salesian Lay Ministry) will start regular monthly formation classes for those who have made their Cooperators promise already. Upcoming dates, all by Zoom, are: Thursday, Thursday, 4-27-23 at 7pm, Thursday, 5-25-23 at 7pm. Visit ‘Events’ on our website for the ZOOM login info.

Apologetics Course: The Archdiocese has a great upcoming online course on understanding some of the deepest questions of our faith. Go to sfarch.org/apologetics-course/ register and listen to Mark Brumley give a short intro about the topics that will be covered.

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

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

Liturgical Calendar Sunday 19 Fourth Sunday of Lent Monday 20 Joseph; Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday 21 Lenten Weekday Wednesday 22 Lenten Weekday Thursday 23 Turibus of Mogrojevo; Bishop Friday 24 Lenten Weekday Saturday 25 The Annunciation of the Lord Sunday 26 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Your gifts of March 12: $2,896. Weekly Goal: $8,670. Shortfall: $5,774.. Thank You! Your parish needs &appreciated your continue support!