Archbishop Cordileone: "Purification is Always Painful"

Bless his heart! Our Archbishop's letter about the situation at the highest levels of the Church:

Dear Faithful of the Archdiocese,

Last Sunday witnessed what many are calling a “bombshell” in the Church: the publication of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s “Testimony,” alleging corruption and coverup at all levels of the Church based on his long and extensive personal knowledge.

I came to know Archbishop Viganò well during the years he served as Apostolic Nuncio here in the United States.  I can attest that he is a man who served his mission with selfless dedication, who fulfilled well the Petrine mission entrusted to him by the Holy Father to “strengthen his brothers in the faith,” and who would do so at great personal sacrifice and with absolutely no consideration given to furthering his “career” – all of which speaks to his integrity and sincere love of the Church. 

Moreover, while having no privileged information about the Archbishop McCarrick situation, from information I do have about a very few of the other statements Archbishop Viganò makes, I can confirm that they are true.  His statements, therefore, must be taken seriously.  To dismiss them lightly would continue a culture of denial and obfuscation.  Of course, to validate his statements in detail a formal investigation will have to be conducted, one that is thorough and objective.  I am therefore grateful to Cardinal DiNardo for recognizing the merit of finding answers that are “conclusive and based on evidence,” and I join my voice to that of other bishops in calling for such an investigation and for taking any corrective action that may be necessary in light of its findings. I was named a bishop on July 5, 2002, three weeks after the USCCB meeting in Dallas that approved the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and still at the height of the drama of revelations of sex abuse of minors by clergy.

 

 At that time, I was asked to conduct a prayer service at the conclusion of a conference on family life hosted by the diocese that attracted participants from around the world.  I met there an Australian priest with whom I was acquainted during our years of study in Rome, and he congratulated me on my appointment.  I replied, “Thank you, but this is not a good time to become a bishop.”  I will never forget his response to me: “But it is a good time to be a great bishop.” 

 

What he said to me then can be said to every Catholic at this time.  The Church is in need of purification.  Purification is always painful.  My dear victims: you know this more than anyone; please know of our prayers and love for you, and that we continue to be here for you, to support you and help you to heal with the resources we have available.

  

I believe God is beginning this painful process of purification for us now, but for it to work, we must cooperate.  God has always raised up great saints in similar times of turmoil in the Church.  I call on all of us to rededicate ourselves to prayer, penance and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, so that God will bless us with this grace.

Please know of my gratitude to you all: to you our priests, who remain close by your people, lending them support and pastoral care in this time of crisis; to you our deacons, who assist priests in this responsibility and bring the Gospel to those for whom it would otherwise be inaccessible; to you our victims assistance coordinators and to all who support victims on the painful path toward healing; to the faculty and administration of St. Patrick’s Seminary for your hard work in providing deep and healthy formation for our future priests for the renewal of the Church in our corner of the Lord’s vineyard, and to our seminarians for your fervor and generosity in responding to the Lord’s call of priestly service; and last but not least, to you, our people, for your prayer, for your love and concern for the Church, which now moves you to demand change that is effective and decisive, and for your support of our priests.

May God grant us all the grace to be the agents of change and purification that He is calling us to be at this time.

Sincerely yours in our Lord,

Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone

Archbishop of San Francisco

October 10: AB Cordileone to lead SF Eucharistic Procession and Rosary Rally!!

Be there, Bay Area Catholics!

From September 30's California Catholic Daily:

On Saturday, October 10, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will once again lead his flock as he bears the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of San Francisco at the Fifth Annual San Francisco Rosary Rally. The rally will be held in the city’s United Nations Plaza at 12 noon.

The San Francisco Rosary Rally was reborn in 2011 as an effort of the SF Senatus of the Legion of Mary. Other groups quickly joined the effort: Immaculate Heart Radio, The Knights of Columbus, Ignatius Press, Cruzada Guadalupana Arquidiócesana, the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the Archdiocesan Ministry for Spanish Speaking. The 2011 rally marked the 50th Anniversary of Fr. Patrick Peyton’s 1961 Rosary Crusade, held in the City’s Golden Gate Park. That event drew over 550,000 people—still the largest crowd ever assembled in San Francisco.

On August 7, San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone sent a letter to all pastors of the Archdiocese, urging them to lead their flocks to the Rally: “Since our first rally five years ago, the event has drawn an ever-growing number of priests, religious and faithful onto our streets to pray. These faithful come from San Francisco and beyond. Their intention is very simple: to pray for the needs of our great City and nation. I believe the presence of so many people in prayer is a great witness to those with whom we share our City. It is a sign too that God is truly with us and the Faith is alive…I invite you and your parishioners to join me in this celebration of our Catholic spirituality and tradition.”

The day begins with a 10:00 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone, concelebrated by Father Arturo Albano, the rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and other priests. Following Mass, the Archbishop will lead the Eucharistic Procession from the Cathedral to United Nations Plaza, where the Rosary rally will begin at 12:00 noon. When the Eucharistic procession arrives they will be greeted by a second group of Catholics, already at the plaza, praying the rosary.

Archbishop Cordileone will serve as keynote speaker and Father Albano will address the faithful in both Spanish and Tagalog. The rally will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction, and priests will be on hand to hear confessions.

This year’s special guest speaker will be Deacon Robert F. Ellis, the National Coordinator of the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA. As a special blessing, the National Pilgrim Statue of the World Apostolate of Fatima will be present. Deacon Ellis wrote recently: “St. Pope John Paul II considered Fatima more important today than it was in 1917. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI cautioned that ‘we would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete.’ Pope Francis’ request for the consecration of his pontificate to Our Lady of Fatima, which was honored on May 13, 2013, the entrustment of WYD 2013 to her, and his consecration of the world to her on October 13, 2013 – all occurring within the first year of his papacy – make his disposition toward the importance of Fatima crystal clear.” -‘How can a world gone mad be saved from itself.’

For more information, go here: http://www.rosaryrallysf.com/

‘Ready to lay down our lives in service for humanity’: Young Priest, Deacon Shine at St. Patrick Seminary Gala

A shorter version of this post appeared in last week's California Catholic Daily.

On the evening of Saturday, September 19, more than 550 people gathered on the outdoor grounds of St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park. The evening was warm and clear. The occasion was St. Patrick’s Eighth ‘Four Pillars’ Gala, the seminary’s annual fundraiser in support of their mission: forming men for the priesthood of God. Founded in 1898, St. Patrick’s is currently forming 72 men from the dioceses of Fresno (3), Honolulu (5), Monterey (3), Oakland (11), Orange (6), Reno (2), Salt Lake City (2), Sacramento (9), San Francisco (16), San Jose (10), Santa Rosa (1), and Stockton (4). The ‘four pillars’ of the seminary are human formation, spiritual formation, intellectual formation, and pastoral formation. The evening’s program describes each pillar as necessary to the final mission “Through human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral development (the seminary) enables Christ-centered men to grow and excel as collaborative, culturally-aware pastoral leaders committed to Jesus and His Church.”

The evening began with Vespers in the seminary chapel.  This was followed by appetizers and cocktails on the lawn, where guests could also bid on items at a silent auction to support the seminary. Those who desired could join a guided tour of the campus, led by seminarians.

As dinner was about to begin,the invocation was given by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. His Excellency was joined by most of the other Bishops whose diocese are served by the seminary.  Bishop Thomas Daly, former Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and currently Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, served as master of ceremonies. Interspersed between his introduction of speakers,  the witty bishop, a San Francisco native, forcefully encouraged the faithful  to bid on auction items and purchase raffle tickets. His encouragement was rewarded:  a silent auction item for a trip to Ireland including a round of golf at one of that countries famous courses went from $0 to over $7,000 in five minutes. The winner of the raffle’s grand prize—a car valued at $35,000 or $25,000 in cash, chose the  money, and returned half as a gift to the seminary.

The special honorees at the event were the members of the  Serra Clubs of the Greater Bay Area (San Francisco, San José and West Contra Costa County). The mission statement of the Serra Clubs is simple and direct: ‘to fostering and affirming vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”

The highlights of the evening, affirming both the mission of the seminary and the impressive quality of the young men being formed, were two addresses to the crowd, the first by the recently ordained Fr. Pat Summerhays, and the second by transitional Deacon Andrew J. Pacheco.

Fr. Summerhays described how each of the ‘four pillars’ contributed to his formation as a priest. His description of spiritual formation was especially powerful:  “Spiritual formation, of course, begins by St. Patrick’s Seminary being a Eucharistic community.  Each day begins with Morning Prayer that leads the seminarians right into the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  It is there that we contemplate Jesus the High Priest who emptied himself completely, laying down his life for all of humanity, allowing us to receive him body, blood, soul and divinity.  It is in this spirit or sacrifice and communion that we are later meant to rise each day in rectories, ready to lay down our lives in service for humanity.  The daily Eucharist Adoration, Days of Recollection, Annual Retreats, and Spiritual Direction allow seminarians to learn how to rest in Christ, learning how to say along with St. Paul: ‘[I]n  any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.  I can do all things in him who strengthens me.’” 

Deacon Pacheco eloquently described a new project certain to enrich the formation experience of the future priests: the construction of large-scale outdoor Stations of the Cross on the seminary grounds. The seminary hopes to raise at least $10,000 for each Station, and each Station will be accompanied by a bench that will bear the name of the donor. A portion of the cost was pledged at the dinner.

The evening closed with the all seminarians gathering on the broad steps of the school, where they led the guest in singing the Salve Regina. The beautiful masculine voices of the seminarians, rising to heaven in praise of Our Blessed Mother, especially following their impressive speeches could not help but remind one of Jesus’ promise that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church.

To help St. Patrick’s Seminary form men for the priesthood, go here:

www.stpatricksseminary.org/ and select the “Donate” tab.

To see a video of seminarians walking the proposed route of the outdoor Stations of the Cross, go here:

https://vimeo.com/139617081 The password to open the video is SPSU.

Archbishop Cordileone Leads SF Protest Against Planned Parenthood!

That's where a good shepherd should be. Bless him!

Today pro-lifers in San Francisco joined people of conscience all over the country in protesting the murderous organization. Archbishop Cordileone led his flock in prayer and witness against the legal murder of the defenseless.

Photos are from Kelly Connelly, Valerie Schmalz, and SF News Feed.

The Supreme Court v. Reality

The American Supreme Court has repeated the error of Roe v. Wade: they have overruled tens of millions of citizens and have forced a non-reality upon an unwilling populace. And, like Roe v. Wade, the action guarantees ongoing conflict.

But God is writing straight with crooked lines. Many Catholics have left the faith, and the culture of the West needs to be Evangelized. Catholicism is about reality. Catholicism is Reality. By allowing the ongoing cultural embrace of non-reality, God is opening up an avenue for us to reach our brothers and sisters. As a non-Catholic cleric said "we must offer our views until the time comes when our friends and neighbours, their doctrines broken on the anvil of reality, are humbled enough to listen."

We have often referred to same-sex ‘marriage’ as ‘counterfeit marriage.’ That's insufficient. To counterfeit a thing requires a belief in the thing’s reality. We live in a time when our so-called ‘elites’ believe that reality itself is defined by the perceiver. Theirs may be the first culture in history using solipsism as a guiding principle.

It is suggestive that same-sex 'marriage' coincided with the waning of marriage to an unprecedented low point. The people who believe that same-sex 'marriage' exists do because they no longer believe in marriage.

It is also suggestive that same-sex ‘marriage’ coincided with the popularization of ‘virtual reality.’ Although the term only became widely used with the coming of computers, it was actually coined by the influential (and mentally ill) French dramatist Antonin Artaud in 1938. For Artaud, “imagination was reality.” Sound familiar?


This man imagines he’s a woman:

This woman imagines she’s black:

These guys imagine they’re married:

Our 'elites' accept these things as true. Normal people don't. If they weren’t so destructive, one could almost feel for the LGBT activists. Their ‘victory’ required the redefinition of reality, but they’re not the only ones who can play that game. Look at those pictures: all you can do is laugh.

Same-sex ‘marriages’ themselves will have little import: only a small portion of the 3% of Americans who are same-sex attracted will choose to avail themselves of it. The problem of course is the warping of society as misguided people try to twist others into accommodating the false reality

For us lay Christians, our job as always is to defend and preach reality, which is Christ: the Logos--the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

For our hierarchy, as Archbishop Cordileone has said, their job is to remain true to Christ, and above all to protect the reality of the faith from the heretics who are attempting to redefine it. That’s why his leadership in trying to re-Catholicize our schools is so important. 

Archbishop Cordileone: Our duty is to speak the truth on marriage

What a blessing it is to be living in the Archdiocese of San Francisco under Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone! I feel like I am with Athanasius: one man and the truth against all the powers of the world.


Here is an excerpt from His Excellency's speech to his brother bishops at last week's USCCB meeting, as reported by LifeSiteNews:

"If the US Supreme Court decides to redefine marriage in the next couple weeks it will not stop the nation’s bishops from proclaiming the truth, says the archbishop serving as point man on the issue.

'Regardless of what happens at the end of this month, nothing the court says can change what marriage truly is and we will continue to promote and defend it,' said San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, chairman for the USCCB Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.

The archbishop quoted Russian novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn to illustrate the point for his fellow bishops at their Spring Assembly earlier this month in St. Louis.

'Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph. But not through me,' said Archbishop Cordileone. 'The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie.'

'We may have to suffer this lie about marriage in the law,' he continued, 'but we must not participate in it or keep silent about it.'

He suggested to his fellow bishops that the faithful can offer up small hardships in this regard for the Christians in the Middle East and elsewhere who are being killed and exiled for the faith.

The archbishop knows something about taking heat for the Catholic faith, with the attacks on him over the last several months for working to strengthen the Church’s identity in San Francisco Catholic high schools. His fellow bishops applauded him fervently at the end of his presentation after USCCB President Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz thanked him for his courageous leadership for the Church."

It is a strange but good experience for me as a man born in America to learn the age-old message of the Church, that any country, no matter how good, can never completely be our home. We've been historically spoiled by living in America because it has been so wonderful--so much so that it almost became a religion of its own. Our home is Holy Mother Church.

Bless the Archbishop!

Archbishop Family Support Day Picnic!

Wow! What a joy-filled expression of support for Archbishop Cordileone! Our article about the picnic is over at Catholic World Report, and here are a selection of pictures from Lisa Hamrick, the Latin Mass Society of San Francisco, and Catholic San Francisco. First, here's some shots of the Mass at the Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi:

The picnic began at 11:30. Lots of kids, families, religious, and all-around faithful Catholics:

 

San Francisco's beloved Bishop Emeritus Ignatius Wang goes for cookies:

Fearless Fr. Joseph Fessio of Ignatius Press gives a blessing:

 All generations were there:

 

Giants fans, too!

Meeka from Saints Peter and Paul with Tough Guy. Tough Guy's wearing blue in solidarity!

Me with the Saints Peter and Paul banner.

Entertainment provided by the Mariachi Juvenil de San pablo:

When the Archbishop arrived, he was immediatly surrounded by supporters.
 Eva Muntean, the Picnic organizer said "He's like a rock start!"

His Excellency enjoyed the Mariachis, too

 

With pro-life hero the Rev. Walter Hoye:

 Everybody wanted pictures!

 Many generations: 

Lots of games for the kids. A race is about to start!

Mommy's a Mariachi musician:

Faithful old-timers:

As always, the SFPD did a great job. Here they are getting well-deserved thanks. 

Latin Mass Added to Archbishop Family Support Day!

More Games, Excitement at Family Picnic

On Saturday May 16 Catholics from all over the Archdiocese of San Francisco will gather at the city’s Sue Bierman Park to express support for their fighting Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. The archbishop has come under fire from politicians, media, LGBT activists, and teachers and students at Catholic Schools for his insistence that the high schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco be faithful to the entire teaching of the church. The commonsensical insistence ran afoul of LGBT activist in and out of the church, to whom Catholic teaching on marriage, sexuality, and sodomy is unacceptable.

Support for the Archbishop, and the event, has grown beyond the picnic itself. Last week it was announced that the picnic will be preceded by a Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form at San Francisco’s namesake church, the Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, at Columbus and Vallejo Street. The Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 AM by Canon Olivier Meney of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. The Shrine of St. Francis is a 15 minute walk from the picnic site.

As support for the Family Support Picnic has grown, necessitating a move to Sue Bierman Park to accommodate the existing crowds, organizers have increased the attractions—especially for kids. There will be balloons emblazoned with the head of a lion and the Archbishop’s name “Cordileone” which translates as “heart of a lion.” Games for the kids with prizes, include sack races, three-legged races, hula hoops, egg and spoon races, and bean bag tossing. Organizers are also bringing 400 rosaries to be given out, along with instruction books in English and Spanish on how to pray the rosary.

The picnic will begin at 11:00 AM. Attendees must bring their own food, or patronize the food vendors that surround Sue Bierman Park, but non-alcoholic drinks will be provided as supplies last. Entertainment will be provided by a mariachi band.

To learn more, download flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese, or to sign a petition supporting the Archbishop visit: http://www.sfcatholics.org/

Marin Catholic Sisters Walk out on GLSEN Propaganda

Sisters Won’t Compromise on Faith, or Responsibility to Students

God bless 'em! On April 21, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that five members of the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist walked out of their classrooms last Friday rather than tolerate pro-LGBT literature in their classrooms.

Left (Sister Miriam leading students at Walk for Life West Coast, 2014)

The Chronicle reported (via SF Sentinel):

 “The five members of the Dominican Sisters of Mary order exited their classrooms Friday as students began handing out flyers at the Kentfield school promoting a nationwide Day of Silence.

At issue was Friday’s annual Day of Silence, promoted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network — whose corporate sponsors include McDonald’s, Target, Disney/ABC, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, Google and the NBA. It bills itself as a group of ‘students, parents, and teachers that tries to effect positive change in schools,’ but the nuns at Marin Catholic High see it as anti-Catholic.

The school declined to participate in the Day of Silence. Instead, a morning prayer was read over the school’s PA system ‘to acknowledge and pray for students everywhere who have the experience of being ostracized, marginalized or silenced by bullying,’ school officials wrote in their letter.

‘Our intention was not to take part in a Day of Silence, but rather take a moment in the morning to pray together as a school community,’ the letter to parents said.

Unfortunately, the administrators said, the school’s message was ‘compromised and misinterpreted’ the night before when it was linked on Facebook to the campaign by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, ‘an activist group with which we are not affiliated.’

When some Marin Catholic High students began handing out Day of Silence-related stickers and flyers on campus Friday morning, the five nuns felt ‘felt compromised, offended and uncomfortable,’ Sister Clare Marie, one of the teachers, later wrote in a lengthy e-mail to her students.

She said the sisters ‘do not support bigotry or any kind of prejudice,’ but that they were compelled to act out against an event promoted by a group that ‘believes actively in promoting homosexuality in all classrooms, K-12.’

Her e-mail also accused the group’s members of speaking out ‘against Christians who do not share their views’ and handing out materials that ‘say that any church which teaches homosexuality is sinful is an ‘oppressor’ and should be opposed….”

The Chronicle continued “Kari Hudnell, a spokeswoman for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, denied that the group ‘actively promoted’ homosexuality in the classroom.”

The content of the GLSEN webpage proves that the Marin Catholic Sisters are right and Ms. Hudnell is wrong. Hudnell’s statement denying “that the group ‘actively promoted’ homosexuality in the classroom” is directly contradicted by her own organization’s webpage, which says:

“We accomplish our goals by working in hallways across the country -- from Congress and the Department of Education to schools and district offices in your community -- to improve school climate and champion LGBT issues in K-12 education.

The GLSEN mission statement elaborates further: “Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike.”

“Hetrosexism” is the LGBT term for the proposition that normal sexuality is superior to sodomy. A “healthy school climate,” for GLSEN, is one where sodomy is celebrated as something good.

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are one of the fastest growing, and youngest, orders of women religious in the country. Founded by four Sisters in 1997, it currently has over 120 members. The average age at entry is 21.

The walkout clarified that the endgame of the battle between the Catholic Church, as personified by the Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone, and the champions of “gay rights” can be distilled into one single issue: is sodomy to be celebrated in Catholic schools and Churches or not?

SF’s 1% Comes out against Archbishop Cordileone--Millionaires Urge Pope Francis to Remove Faithful Shepherd

On Wednesday, April 15, the San Francisco Chronicle reported “Prominent Catholics call on pope to oust S.F. archbishop.” The column began “In an unprecedented move, more than 100 prominent Roman Catholic donors and church members signed a full-page ad running Thursday in The Chronicle that calls on Pope Francis to replace San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone for fostering “an atmosphere of division and intolerance.”

Full-page weekday ads in the Chronicle cost $60,889, according to published information on the Nationwide Newspaper Advertising website. A 2013 article in SF Weekly confirmed the astronomical cost, reporting full-page ads in the Chronicle range $59,000 to $92,000. The advertisers may have bought more than the ad, or the Chronicle decided to throw in a bonus: photo #6 of 13 accompanying the Chronicle’s story was captioned “Archbishop. Your shocking intolerance, homophobia and sexual dread are not much threat at all anymore, and are actually increasingly quaint”:

The ad objected, among other things, to the Archbishop’s new initiative to keep Catholic schools Catholic, his defense of natural marriage, and his appointment of Fr. Joseph Illo as pastor of San Francisco’s Star of the Sea Church.

The Archdiocese responded to the ad, calling it “a misrepresentation of Catholic teaching, a misrepresentation of the nature of the teacher contract, and a misrepresentation of the spirit of the archbishop. The greatest misrepresentation of all is that the signers presume to speak for 'the Catholic Community of San Francisco.’

The Chronicle’s breathless report that “more than 100” persons signed the ad is reminiscent of their recent report that “over 100” people attended a March meeting opposing Star of the Sea’s pastor Fr. Joseph Illo. The Chronicle did not report that on Palm Sunday more than five times as many parishioners signed petitions of support of Fr. Illo.

The Archdiocese’s point “The greatest misrepresentation of all is that the signers presume to speak for 'the Catholic Community of San Francisco” is accurate. As the Chronicle story, the cost of the ad, and the names of many of the signatories indicate, the ad far over-represents the “1%”, wealthy and politically connected, which, in San Francisco, can mean only leftist and liberal.

Signatories included Brian Cahill, past executive Director of Catholic Charities. It was under Cahill’s tenure that Catholic Charities embarked on the disastrous partnership with Family Builders by Adoption, who described themselves as “about the gayest adoption agency in the country.” That partnership contractually obligated Catholic Charities to “Increasing the number of children adopted by Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) adults” --deliberately placing children in situations that would deprive them of a mother or father. That dissolution of that partnership was announced in 2008 and Cahill was gone soon after.

Signatories also included former political consultant and President of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities Clint Reilly, and his current wife Janet. As a political consultant Clint Reilly ran campaigns for pro-abortion, pro-same sex “marriage” politicians Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, and Nancy Pelosi, among others. He is now an extremely wealthy real estate mogul. As far back as 2004 an article in the SF Weekly mentioned “Reilly’s estimated $100 million fortune.” During her failed 2006 campaign for the Assembly, Janet Reilly “announced support for same-sex marriage and adoption by LGBT couples” according to the Bay Area Reporter. She also supports abortion rights and has been a regular at NARAL Pro-Choice America’s annual “Power of Choice” luncheons, appearing there in 2010, 2011, and 2014.

Another signatory, attorney Frank Pitre, a partner in Cotchett, Pitre, & McCarthy, told the Chronicle: “It seems he (Cordileone) is going in a direction that is completely opposite where Pope Francis is going and creating an atmosphere of complete intolerance.” It is hard to believe that a capable attorney such as Mr. Pitre is not misunderstanding Pope Francis, as it were deliberately. He chooses to ignore Pope Francis’s description of same-sex “marriage” as “a move from the father of lies” and of being part of the “ideological colonization” that attempts the destruction of the family. Ironically, Mr. Pitre’s statement came on the same day the Holy Father made headlines worldwide for blasting “gender theory.”

Another signatory was Larry Nibbi, from Nibbi Brothers Construction, one of the largest general contractors in San Francisco. In 2014, Nibbi had revenue of $199 million, according to Engineering News-Record annual report on the country’s top 400 contractors.

Another signatory is Terence Coleman, a partner in the law firm Pillsbury and Coleman (although the ad gives his affiliation as with the firm’s former name, Pillsbury & Lebvinson), with offices in San Francisco’s iconic Transamerica pyramid. His bio on P & C’s webpage says Mr. Coleman “was named a Northern California ‘Super Lawyer’ in 2006 through 2014.”

The wealthy, with honorable exceptions, have never been very fond of the Church, for obvious reasons—even when they are by birth “Catholic.” Jesus Christ himself said “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” We must pray for the wealthy, for they are subject to greater temptations, and with the ability to indulge them. Jesus also said “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

UPDATE: The Chronicle pulled the caption to the picture of Archbishop Cordileone, which we have screenshotted, above.

Fr. Illo’s Parishioners Step Up

Supporters at Star of the Sea far outnumber opposition.
(An edited version of this story appeared in today's California Catholic Daily.)

On Thursday, March 26, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on a meeting at San Francisco’s Star of the Sea Parish. The meeting was between a group of parents and press and Star of the Sea's pastor, Fr. Joseph Illo, and parochial vicar, Fr. Patrick Driscoll. The article, titled “Parents ask S.F. Archdiocese to remove school’s leaders” began “In an emotional and at times angry meeting with representatives from the Archdiocese of San Francisco, more than 100 parents of Star of the Sea School children pleaded Wednesday night for the controversial leaders of their school’s church to be removed from their posts.” The brouhaha stemmed from Fr. Illo’s “boy’s only” policy for altar servers.

On March 29, Palm Sunday, parishioners at Star of the Sea responded. They overwhelmingly endorsed their pastor and parochial vicar. At all the Palm Sunday Masses, concerned parishioners collected signatures in support of Fr. Illo and Fr. Driscoll. Total signatories to the petition of support numbered nearly 500, which more than quadruples the number of the parents, press, and others who attended the March meeting, it far exceeds the total number of the parents of students at Star of the Sea. According to the school’s website, the student body consists of 233 children from 185 families, 42% of whom identify as Catholic. The signatures supporting Fr. Illo and Fr. Driscoll will be presented to Archbishop Cordileone this week. It is unlikely that the overwhelming show of support will make the pages of the Chronicle.

By quantifiable measures, Illo appears to be revitalizing the parish. He has certainly kept it in the news. Star of the Sea has not only met its Assessment for the 2015 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in slightly over one week (something few, if any other parishes in the Archdiocese have done) it has exceeded the assessment. The Oratory of St. Philip Neri, which is hosted at the parish, has two seminarians studying for the priesthood—again, something few if any other parishes in the Archdiocese can say. The parish has been host to a number of parish missions with well-known priests. As CalCatholic reported, from March 1-3, Star of the Sea hosted noted Mariologist Msgr. Arthur Calkins for a three day parish mission. In June of 2014, the church hosted Father Paul Nicholson who has been “given the ecclesiastical office of Missionary Preacher” by his Bishop, Ronald Peter Fabbro CSB, of London, Ontario. Nicholson’s mission was on “The Eucharist: the Source and Summit of Catholic Life.” But as Fr. Illo has written, (see: ‘Sitting in an empty church’ CalCatholic, November 17, 2014) Catholicism in San Francisco’s Richmond District (and the city as a whole) seems to be dying. But that problem is not unique to Star of the Sea, it exits nationwide, and Illo, at least, faces the situation publicly.

Nor do the priests neglect the more homey side of the faith—what some people mean by the word ‘pastoral’. Fr. Illo has started a monthly parish barbecue open to all. The girls of the school are engaged in an ongoing project to collect toiletries for the elderly at the nearby St. Anne’s Home for the elderly, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. On Palm Sunday, when the petition signature gatherers were waiting for Masses to end, they congregated in the school’s playground and parking lot, at tables hosted by the parish’s Legion of Mary. The tables are there each week, and the older ladies of the Legion provide coffee, donuts, and Chinese pork buns. After Masses ended Frs. Driscoll and Illo were in the parking lot, mingling with parishioners, and fulfilling requests. Fr. Driscoll went into the rectory and returned fully vested, carrying the aspergillum, to bless one family’s car and a lady parishioner’s dog.

Enemies of Archbishop Cordileone betray Bishop McElroy, fellow Priests

A week to the day before Holy Thursday, a priest or priests from the Archdiocese of San Francisco seems hellbent (we hope the term does not become literally true) on following Judas rather than Jesus.

Yesterday, the National Catholic Reporter published the confidential minutes of a "mid-February" meeting of the Council of Priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Reporter "obtained a copy of the minutes from an anonymous priest."

The priest who gave the minutes to the Reporter not only violated the confidentiality of his fellow priests at the meeting, but also that of Bishop Robert McElroy, who was there also.

The minutes appeared under the byline of the Reporter's Dan Morris-Young, who has authored a recent series of articles attacking the new policy of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, which is designed to restore fidelity to the Catholic Church in the high schools of the Archdiocese.

The portions of the minutes the Reporter published dealt with Fr. Joseph Illo at Star of the Sea. One of the commenters to the story said:

"I've heard from several friends now about the parish where the pastor introduced the Archdiocesan Appeal a few weeks ago by noting that it's as likely to be successful 'as selling signed LA Dodgers photos to SF Giants fans.' Many people I know gave $1 to support our pastors' 'percentage contributing' targets, but no more."

Well, that certainly isn't Fr. Illo's parish. About a month into the Archbishop's (not 'Archdiocesan') Annual Appeal, Fr. Illo's parish has already exceeded their assessment, and a usually well-informed person told me they have exceeded it by about 25%.

Sacred Heart Chaplain Fr. Mark Doherty hits a Home Run on School Initiative Interview

KPCC Radio's Air Talk had a show on March 5 about the new Archdiocesan initiative to re-Catholicize the Archdiocesan High Schools. It's a must listen.

In the first minutes the host, Larry Mantle, interviewed Michael Vezzali, the Chairman of the English Department at Archbishop Riordan High School, who, opposes the Church's teaching. I don't think it's unfair to say he did not exactly make a great showing, but I invite you to listen.

He was followed (at about 6:16 into the interview) by Fr. Mark Doherty, the Chaplain of Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, who absolutely hit it out of the park. Logical, educational, persuasive.

The final guest was Rick Garnett, Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in freedom of speech, association, and religion, who was also excellent.