Respect Life Events
Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m.: "Pasta Per Vita," a spaghetti dinner benefiting the Respect Life Program of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, at Knights of Columbus Hall, 167 Tunstead, San Anselmo. Evening includes entertainment by pianist Patrick Blake and a talk by Bill May of Catholics for the Common Good. Tickets are $15/adults, $5 children/ 6 - 12, under five free. Call Peggy Bartley at ( 415 ) 457 - 6386. Sponsored by St. Anselm Reverence for Life Prayer Group and Knights of Columbus. Please buy tickets by Aug. 10.

Aug. 23, following 5 p.m. Mass: Bioethics Barbecue and Potluck dinner at St. Sebastian Church, Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bon Air Rd. in Greenbrae. Legionaries of Christ Father Joseph Tham, a physician, ethicist and member of the faculty at Rome's Pontifical University, will speak on the challenges faced by Catholics today in the area of bioethics. Sponsored by the Respect Life Program of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Contact Vicki Evans at ( 415 ) 945 - 0180.

Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: "End of Life Issues Conference," sponsored by the Respect Life Program, Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns of the Archdiocese of San Francisco at St. Mary Cathedral Rooms A/B/C. Continuing education credit of 5 hours is available for nurses at a cost of $50. General admission is $35 ( scholarships available ) , which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Speakers include Nancy Valko, RN, president of Missouri Nurses for Life; Carol Hogan, California Catholic Conference; Mary Male Schembri, Catholic Charities CYO. They will speak on contemporary end - of - life topics including definition of death, organ transplant issues, palliative vs. terminal sedation, assisted nutrition and hydration, hospice care, advance medical directives, California assisted - suicide legislation and conscience clauses. For information and registration, contact Vicki Evans ( 415 ) 614 - 5533 or vevans1438@aol.com.

Summer to - dos
Aug 9 - 17: When visiting the San Mateo County Fair drop by the Legion of Mary of South San Mateo County who will have a booth in the Fiesta Hall. Catholic literature and religious articles will be available. More at www.sanmateocountyfair.com.

Aug. 10, 17, 10:45 a.m.: Jesuit Father Tom Reese, a former editor of his order's America magazine, speaks on politics, liturgy and justice at Fromm Hall behind St. Ignatius Church on the campus of USF. Aug. 10: "Symbolic Gestures and the Liturgy," Aug. 17: "Justice and the Eucharist." Contact Greg Fox at gfox@bfesf.com or Don Faloon at ( 415 ) 422 - 2195.

Aug. 15, 8 p.m.: Refresh your soul with a moment of peace and quiet away from the busyness of life listen to beautiful music join others in prayer and song around the cross … offer your restlessness and worries to Jesus, the One who understands … let the longing in our world and yours meet in Jesus the One who heals. Location: Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd. Fremont. For further information, contact Maria Shao, ( 408 ) 839 - 2068 or maria49830@aol.com.

Aug. 15 - 17: "The Saints of Summer - a Silent Retreat for Men" directed by Jesuit Father Gerald F. Hudson at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos. The saints of summer include St. Thomas More ( June 22 ) ; Sts. Peter and Paul ( June 29 ) ; St. Thomas the Apostle ( July 3 ) ; St. Benedict ( July 11 ) ; and St. Ignatius of Loyola ( July 31 ) . These saints' struggles, triumphs and service can speak to us today. Father Hudson is a former member of the faculty at St. Ignatius College Prep and joined the staff of the JRC in 2006. Call ( 650 ) 948 - 4491 or visit www.jrclosaltos.org for more information and to register.

Aug. 16, noon to 5: Annual picnic for separated and divorced Catholics and their families at San Bruno City Park, Site #9, Crystal Springs and Oak Avenues, San Bruno. Bring your family and a favorite picnic dish or snack to share. Tickets are $5/person, or $10/ family. Grilled hot dogs, sausages, condiments, plates, napkins and utensils will be provided. Share food, socializing, fun and games. Those wishing to carpool from San Francisco will meet at the parking lot at St. Stephen's near Stonestown at 11:30 a.m. For directions contact Vonnie at ( 650 ) 873 - 4236 or Gail at ( 650 ) 591 - 8452.

Aug. 19, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.: St. Emydius Parish, Ashton and DeMontfort St. in San Francisco, hosts a talk by Franciscan Sister Sheral Marshall on "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship." Contact Joe and Peggy Koman at emjkoman@att.net or ( 415 ) 585 - 8260.

Aug. 21, 22, 23, 7:30 p.m.; Aug 24, 2 p.m.: "The Lower Gym," a "think tank" where Star of the Sea Academy seniors Judy Albi Rechsteiner, Patty Colman Lawler and Kay Alimisis pondered their upcoming entry into the uncertain world of the 1960s. The musical review written by the trio is part of this year's Fall Festival of Plays at Notre Dame de Namur University at the school theater at 1500 Ralston Ave. in Belmont. Tickets are $10. Call ( 650 ) 508 - 3456 or e - mail boxoffice@ndnu.edu.

Aug. 23, 2 p.m.: A concert benefiting Saint Patrick's Seminary and University featuring Catholic music artist, John Angotti, at St. Mary's Cathedral, Gough St. and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. Angotti is an award - winning composer and recording artist recently featured at the United States papal visit. He also performed at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. Also appearing will be choirs from St. Francis High School in Mountain View and Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park under the direction of Margaret Durando and Gabriel Lucas. General admission tickets are $75; $25 for students. For more information, visit www.stpatricksseminary.org or call ( 650 ) 325 - 5621.

Aug. 24, 12:30 p.m.: Organ concert by Father Paul Perry, St. Sebastian Church, Bon Air Rd. and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Greenbrae. Enjoy works of Bach, Vierne, Langlais, Aylward, Mulet, Franck and others. One hour with commentary. No admission charge.

Aug. 28, noon: Regular meeting of the Serra Club of San Francisco at the Italian American Social Club, 25 Russia St. off Mission Street in San Francisco. Jesuit Father Mario Prietto, rector of the University of San Francisco Jesuit community and former president at St. Ignatius College Prep is guest speaker. Cost: $15 for lunch. Non - members welcome. Contact Paul Crudo at ( 415 ) 566 - 8224 or pecrudodds@aol.com.

Sept. 5 and subsequent first Fridays of the month: Catholic Marin Breakfast Club meets at St. Sebastian Church, Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bon Air Rd. in Greenbrae for Mass at 7 a.m. with breakfast and talk following. San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William J, Justice is guest speaker Sept. 5. Archbishop George H. Niederauer will speak Dec. 5. Presentation Oct. 3 will address upcoming elections and Nov. 7 gathering offers opportunity to learn more about the Knights and Dames of Malta. Members' breakfast $7/visitors $10. Call ( 415 ) 461 - 0704 weekdays or e - mail sugaremy@aol.com.

Sept. 6, 1 p.m.: Third Order Mass to welcome Bishop William Justice as new auxiliary bishop, St. Thomas More Church, 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd. San Francisco followed by reception. All Lay/Secular Orders and those interested in knowing more about the lay vocation are welcome. Call ( 408 ) 730 - 5385 or e - mail mary_munden@hotmail.com.

Sept. 6, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Second Annual Northern California Lay Convocation at University of San Francisco's McLaren Center, 2130 Fulton St. in San Francisco. Visit www.NorCalLayConvocation.org for details.

Sept. 7, Mass at 11 a.m. with picnic from noon - 4 p.m.: CYO Family Day at St. Ignatius College Prep, 37th Ave. at Sunset Blvd. in San Francisco. It's an afternoon of CYO fun with family and friends featuring a picnic, all - day swimming with licensed lifeguards on duty and a festival to celebrate the kickoff of CYO Athletics' Fall Season. Enjoy games and activities plus hot dogs with all the trimmings. Tickets are $10 per person for events and $5 per person for picnic lunch. Call ( 415 ) 972 - 1233 or visit www.cccyo.org.

Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m.: Concert by Jesse Manibusan at St. Raphael Church, 1104 Fifth Ave. in San Rafael. Jesse has the special gift of being able to engage and reach out to any individual - - either one on one at a confirmation retreat, or within a large group of teens at a youth rally, or with a crowd of 500,000 people at World Youth Day. "This dynamic performer will touch your soul and have you praising God with him," say planners. Suggested donation of $5 for individuals or $30 for parish youth groups. Reception afterward. Contact Chris Lorentz at ( 415 ) 454 - 8141, ext. 28 or e - mail clorentz@saintraphael.com.

Sept. 19, 6 p.m.: The Four Pillars gala at St. Mary's Cathedral will honor Archbishop George H. Niederauer with proceeds benefiting St. Patrick's Seminary and University in Menlo Park in its mission of "the initial and ongoing formation of priests" for service in a "contemporary and multicultural world." The evening will feature entertainment by Diana Stork of Festival of Harps as well as an exclusive wine auction. The event takes its name from the four pillars of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. Tickets are $150. Call the seminary at ( 650 ) 325 - 5621 or visit www.stpatricksseminary.org.

Vallombrosa Retreat Center
350 Oak Grove Ave. in Menlo Park - Call ( 650 ) 325 - 5614 or visit www.vallombrosa.org.

Aug. 29 - 31: A Retreat for Families and Friends of Alcoholics: Alcoholism is a family disease and takes a long and deep toll on those who love alcoholics, work with alcoholics, are related to alcoholics and who have been on an emotional roller coaster with them.Whether the alcoholic is a parents, a spouse or a child, support and refreshment are needed. This weekend will look at the tools and treasures of Al - Anon. There will be conversation, prayer, quiet and time to rest and share experiences, strengths and hope. Retreat director Jesuit Father Tom Weston has been an active member of the recovery community since 1976.

St. Mary's Cathedral
Gough and Geary St. in San Francisco - ( 415 ) 567 - 2020. Ample parking is available free of charge in the Cathedral lot for most events.

Aug. 12, 7:15 p.m., Cathedral Event Center, Hall C: "St. Clare: The Hidden Evangelizer." Free of charge, all are welcome to take part in this lecture which focuses on this lifelong friend and spiritual sister to St. Francis, principal patron of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Talk is followed by a reception with light refreshments. Presented by Stephen C. Cordova of the St. Anthony of Padua Institute. For more information, contact stephencordova@yahoo.com.

Second and Fourth Fridays through September at 7:30 p.m. in Cathedral Event Center, Monsignor Bowe Room: Discussions of Plato's Works, a series on the philosophical works of Plato, with the goal of recapturing the wisdom of the ancient authors on perennial and Catholic questions. The series is offered free of charge. For a complete list of dates and reading materials visit: http://www.stanthonypaduainstitute.org/phisem_flier.pdf. Presented by Reynaldo Miranda of the St. Anthony of Padua Institute. For more information, call ( 888 ) 619 - 7882, or e - mail MagisterTextus@StAnthonyPaduaInstitute.org.