Archdiocese

Padua Dining Room: No fees, no questions, and no one turned away

As a small group of children played outside, the noise from the dining hall at St. Anthony of Padua overflowed with dozens of conversations. Seated at long rows of tables, a few hundred men and women talked Monday Nov. 5 over trays of beef stew, rice and salad or lingered over cups of coffee.

Cardinal: Sacraments, social work key to parish evangelization

Concern about an aging church and loss of faith among the young has concentrated many Catholics’ minds on the need for evangelization. At an Oct. 30 lecture, more than 100 people turned out to hear about how a parish community can meet that need.

Dominican retreat leader blurs line between life and afterlife

Anyone interested in cultivating a “sense of living in eternity now” should open themselves up more intentionally to the communion of saints and souls, said the leader of an All Souls weekend contemplative retreat at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Bolinas Nov. 3.

Archbishop: Homeless a symbol of ‘the spiritual state’ of all

In the heart of a city becoming as well known for the size of its homeless population as it is for its golden-hued bridge, about 200 people gathered at St. Patrick Church Nov. 8 to pray for the eternal rest of the human lives ended unceremoniously on the streets of San Francisco.

Peruvian Catholics at St. Timothy celebrate centuries-old Lord of Miracles devotion

On Sunday, Oct. 28, devotees of a centuries-old Peruvian tradition attended Mass and participated in a solemn procession escorting the image of the Lord of Miracles, patron of Lima, Peru, at St. Timothy Parish in San Mateo.

Guadalupana pilgrimage set for Dec. 8

The annual Guadalupana Pilgrimage, a more than 10-mile walk from South San Francisco to St. Mary’s Cathedral, commences Dec. 8, 6 a.m., from All Souls Church. More than.3,500 worshippers are expected to join the journey at points including Holy Cross Cemetery and Holy Angels Church in Colma, and St. John the Evangelist Church in San Francisco.

Young missionaries arrive to change the culture

In the old convent at St. Cecilia Parish in San Francisco, five 20-something Catholics have moved in with a mission to change San Francisco. Part of a group called Culture Project International, the team of recent college graduates give Theology of the Body inspired talks to school students and young adults on respecting human dignity, the importance of marriage and family, and the value of chastity.

Christmas trees sturdy branch for Guardsmen

For 70 years many Christmas trees in San Francisco have served double duty as bright company for the gifts under them, and as a source of aid to young beneficiaries throughout the Bay Area. The Guardsmen this year will sell more than 6,000 Christmas trees at their Fort Mason tree lot with the $500,000 raised funding a campership program sending underprivileged children to summer camp, and scholarships for underprivileged children attending private schools in San Francisco.

‘Early Days’ controversy seen as opportunity to examine history, promote reconciliation

The city of San Francisco removed a controversial statue from the Pioneer Monument near City Hall in the early hours of Sept. 14.

Listening sessions end with lingering questions

Closing out a monthlong series of town hall-style discussions about clergy sex abuse, the Archdiocese of San Francisco held its final listening session Oct. 28 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Belmont. More than 100 people gathered to hear Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone review archdiocesan policies to safeguard children and talk to him about the abuse scandals inundating the church.