Archdiocese

Rick DelVecchio, editor and general manager of Catholic San Francisco, was recognized as Editor of the Year by the Catholic Press Association at its annual Catholic Media Conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin, June 12-15.

The 111th novena to Good St. Anne will be celebrated at St Anne of the Sunset Church in San Francisco, beginning July 18. A common question is why is a novena nine days? Novena means nine; so, to say I am going to pray a novena means nine of something – nine days, nine weeks, nine rosaries. But the question remains: Why nine?

More than 65 Catholics crowded into the rectory at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco to hear firsthand stories of Christian persecution in Nigeria and Asia as the Archdiocese of San Francisco concluded Religious Freedom Week with prayer and discussion on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul June 29.

On the 50th year anniversary of “Humanae Vitae,” let’s take a moment to consider the differences between NFP and contraception. Some people think they are essentially the same because both are used by couples who want to have sexual intercourse but who don’t want to have a baby. But it is not just the intention that determines the morality of an action – it is also the means used. How do these means differ?

Author and scholar Veronica Mary Rolf delights in her subject, Julian of Norwich, the medieval mystic who was an anchoress enclosed for 25 years. Rolf’s just published book, “An Explorer’s Guide to Julian of Norwich,” brings us into the world of a woman who counsels us not just to love God, but “to clothe ourselves in the love of God.” Julian is deeply personal.

As a resource for our readers, Catholic San Francisco presents the full text of “Hope and Healing,” the California Catholic bishops’ recent pastoral letter on caring for those who suffer from mental illness. The statement, released May 1 to mark Mental Health Awareness Month, examines several facets of mental health including the current opioid crisis, suicide and addiction, and embraces the bond between science and religion. “It is time now to build bridges between science and religion, health care and pastoral care. Clergy and health care professionals, families and mental health advocates should work together to encourage a “both-and,” rather than “either-or” approach to psychological and spiritual healing.

St. Cecilia parishioner Mary Chien spent a little more than a year in prison in Communist China during the 1950s. Her crime was belonging to the Legion of Mary, which Mary says the Communists thought was a military operation.

The episcopal ordination of Bishop Robert F. Christian, OP, as San Francisco’s 18th auxiliary bishop on June 5 at San Francisco’s St. Mary’s Cathedral cast the role as one of service over honor and achievement.

All schools hope that their graduates will move on to the next stage of their lives prepared academically, emotionally and socially for whatever they may face in the future, but the schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco instill something that is even more important as our students move forward in life.