ST. BRENDAN CHURCH

29 Rockaway Avenue San Francisco CA 94127 Tel. No. (415) 681-4225

www.stbrendanparish.org

Pastor’s Message “Pay it forward” has become a common term in American parlance ever since the Hollywood film by the same name was released in 2000. It’s the story of a young boy, who attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance. The movie chronicles twelve-year old Trevor McKinney’s launch of a goodwill movement known as “pay it forward.” Trevor’s social studies teacher, Eugene Simonet, gives the class an assignment to devise and put into action a plan that will change the world for the better. Trevor’s plan is a program based on the networking of good deeds. He calls his plan “pay it forward,” which means the recip-ient of a favor does a favor for three others rather than paying the favor back. Trevor’s vision is that the uplifting actions contin-ue along a branching tree of good deeds, spread-ing across the whole world. Indeed, the movie sparked a number of pay-it-forward movements. In Atlanta, for example, a Christian radio station, “104.7 The Fish,” created the “Drive Thru Differ-ence.” Customers in a drive-through line at a fast food restaurant are encouraged to pay for the food of the person waiting in line behind them. “You never know what type of difference you could make in the lives of those around you,” the sta-tion’s website urges. “The person working at the restaurant sees you making a difference, and the person behind you may even decide to do the same thing for the person behind them.” In the gospel reading today, Jesus basically sets forth a pay-it-forward program of forgiveness. In

the parable told by Jesus, the audience rightfully is scandalized by the actions of the unforgiving serv-ant, who was forgiven an enormous debt by the king but then refused to pay forward the mercy he received and forgive someone who owed him a much smaller debt.

We all know that we should forgive each oth-er. Yet, one of the most common confessions I hear is lack of forgiveness. Perhaps the in-congruence is best explained by an assump-tion that forgiveness is something we choose to extend magnanimously, when it suits us. Forgiveness, we tend to think, is a free act of generosity towards the one who has offended us. We can decide whether to forgive or to condemn, to show mercy or to remain unmer-

ciful, to move on or cling to resentment.

There is some truth, of course, to this perception. However, the last words of the parable should re-mind us that the mercy and forgiveness we seek from God is conditioned on our readiness to ex-tend mercy and offer forgiveness. As the Cate-chism of the Catholic Church puts it, “[f]orgiveness is the fundamental condition of the rec-onciliation of the children of God with their Father and of men with one another” (CCC n. 2844). Forgiveness is an act of the will. “It is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns inju-ry into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession” (CCC n. 2843). Today, pay forward God’s incredible mer-cy and forgiveness given to you through the atone-ment of Christ on the Cross.

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 17, 2017

Fr. Roger Gus-tafson, Pastor

News & Events Featured Events

BLESSING OF THE PETS September 30 at 10 a.m. October 4 at 7:40 a.m.

St. Francis was known for his love of animals. Celebrate

his Feast Day at St. Brendan on October 4. Fr. Roger will available for pet blessings on the Feast Day as well

as the Saturday before.

SEVENTH ANNUAL ST. JOHN VIANNEY LUNCHEON FOR RETIRED PRIESTS

September 29 at 11:30 a.m.

Please join in recognizing and celebrating the life-time work performed by retired priests of our Arch-diocese. Contact Fr. Roger if you would like to be

seated at his table of St. Brendan parishioners.

YEAR OF PRAYER TALK October 11 at 7 p.m.

St. Brendan’s year of prayer kicks off next month with Jesuit Father Joe Spieler speaking on the Contemporary Experience of Contemplative Prayer. Join us on Sunday morning after the 9:30 a.m. Mass for a short talk on the how you can grow closer to God with just a few minutes a day of contemplative prayer. Experience an interactive session the following Wednesday, when Father Spieler

will guide us in practicing this new style of prayer.

MOTHER’S DAY FOR MARY October 7 at 7 p.m.

After the Rosary Rally and consecration of the

Archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, cele-brate Blessed Mother Mary with Mass, dinner, and

a concert at St. Brendan produced by Billboard Magazine’s top ten record producer of all time,

Narada Michael Walden, who has produced 57 #1 hit singles.

SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN TOURS

Tours for prospective kindergarten parents are now being held. Reservations for the tours must be made in advance by calling (415) 731-2665.

St. Brendan School, mindful of its mission to be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. St. Brendan School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin, age, sex or disability in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Likewise, St. Brendan School does not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color and national and/or ethnic origin.

The Good News

Spotlight on Ministry: St. Brendan Money Buddies

Do you ever wonder what happens to the money after you place your offering in the basket? The answer is that Saint Brendan has its own “money buddies” to process the collection. In addition to the rectory office staff, Saint Brendan’s Collection Committee consists of parishioners Mario DeBo-no, Robert Crisera, Elizabeth Gamarra, Lucille Kovash, Jack (“Grumpy”) Mona, Jeff Porter, Stacey Simpson, and Ella Tsang. These dedicated parishioners report every Monday morning to get the collection money from the safe, where it is securely stored after each Mass. Once the cash has been removed from an envelope and counted, the amount of the donation is written on the envelope. The different denominations of bills are placed into separate bins and then the cash is counted by hand twice. As a final check, the cash is run through a cash counting machine like you see at the bank. Up until last month, each parishioner’s donation was entered manually into our parish data system. Parish Manager, Lisa Rosenlund, saw an oppor-tunity to make this process more efficient and

asked our vendor to place bar codes on all envelopes begin-ning in August. Lisa then acquired a bar code scanner like you see in stores. Now with one click of the scanner, each parishioner’s infor-mation is entered automatically into the database. Anoth-er click on sheets

printed with the barcode for amounts typically do-nated (ex. $1000.00), and the data entry is com-plete. While the cash is being counted, other committee members process the checks. Each check is en-dorsed and the endorsed checks are then grouped

into stacks of twenty-five and totaled on an adding machine with a tape for backup. The checks are then run through a scanner one at a time and pa-rishioner information and check amount are en-tered automatically into the parish’s data system. Once data en-try is com-plete, the checks and the cash are taken to the bank to be de-posited. Another innovation on the horizon, which you may also have seen at the bank, is a remote check depositing machine which can deposit each stack of checks in a matter of seconds. With remote de-posit of checks in place, only the cash will remain to be taken to the bank. A planned improvement to make even this final step of the process more effi-cient will be to place the cash in tamper-proof bags and have it picked up by an armored truck service and taken to the bank. This will save staff time driving to and from the bank and waiting in line for a teller. Processing collections is a ministry of the church. Starting with the next three-month schedule, Col-lection Committee service dates will be entered into the Ministry Pro Scheduling system, like all other ministries of Saint Brendan. This will ensure that there are enough counters and make getting substitutes easier when counters cannot serve. Says Fr. Roger, “We are deeply grateful for every donation received. It is my personal obligation to ensure that the amounts we receive from the gen-erous stewardship of our parishioners is handled responsibly and used only for the glory of God. I am thankful for our Monday morning ‘money buddies,’ who make this happen.”

The Good News

”An Offering For The Hungry”

President John F. Kennedy once said that “change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Saint Brendan School resumed classes two weeks ago, and hundreds of parents filed into the church for Back-to-School Night. Change was in the air with a new year and a new school principal, Ms. Dianne Lakatta, who joined Saint Brendan on August 1. “After twelve years of stability at the helm of the school, I think parents may have felt a bit uneasy about the future,” Father Roger said. “I know that when they really get to know Ms. Lakatta they will see that she is pas-sionate about her Catho-lic faith and will be a strong leader for our school, while also demonstrating a loving, tender, and caring dispo-sition towards students, parents, faculty, and staff.” The parish’s Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation kicked off the evening by leading the assembly in prayer, asking for God’s blessing over the new school year. Father Roger discussed the pastoral vision for both the church and school in the coming year. “Our parish theme this year is Pray Together. Stay Together,” said Father Rog-er. “So, all of our big events this year are de-signed to breathe new life into your relationship with God. We’ll hear from world-class speakers at fun, all-parish events as part of our Spiritual Happy Hour program. We’re going to discover new ways to pray through our innovative Sunday morning Small Bytes Program. We’ll also have many opportunities to join a small group and to do life together with people in your own circum-stances.”

As part of the parish’s emphasis on prayer this year for both the church and the school, Saint Brendan School students will have the opportuni-ty to participate in an innovative new program at Sunday Masses. “When it comes to religion,” Fa-ther Roger wrote in a three-page letter to parents describing the new initiative, “students learn from a variety of experiences such as classroom interaction, service projects for the poor, as well as regular participation in the liturgy of the Church, especially the Sunday worship of the parish community.” Children of all grades will be able to serve in different capacities according to

their grade level, includ-ing as gift bearers, greet-ers, ushers, members of the children’s choir, lec-tors, altar servers, and even Eucharistic minis-ters after their Confirma-tion in the eighth grade. “We’re asking for 100 percent participation in this pilot program,” said Father Roger. “We know there may be a few

bumps in the road, including scheduling issues, but we’re giving this a test run for a year and then will evaluate to see how it went.” Father Roger then introduced the new principal to the parents. Ms. Lakatta introduced the new staff and gave a presentation on the new school year. The evening concluded with the parish theme song this year composed by the Director of Music Ministry, Mario Balestrieri, and former local pa-rishioner, Joanna Collins. “I am so excited about this new year,” said Father Roger. “Change can sometimes be difficult, but, as Gandhi once said, ‘you must be the change you wish to see in the world.’”

Parish Vision Discussed At Back To School Night

The readings today point out a common double standard. In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, a debtor with a huge loan is for-given by his creditor when he is unable to repay the amount he owes. Later the servant who was forgiven refuses to “pay it for-ward” and do the same for someone who was in debt to him for a much smaller amount. The unmerciful servant was a hypocrite. On the one hand, he begged for mercy from his master but, on the other hand, stood in the way of clemency for someone less prodigal than himself. Stewardship is a spirituality of generosity in all aspects of life. What so easily can keep us from that kind of charity is living a dou-ble standard. Expecting one thing for ourselves but something dif-ferent for another encourages us to be stingy with our time, talent, and treasure. Seeking a bounty from God for ourselves but dispens-ing meager portions for others is the seedbed of a pinched lifestyle of tightfistedness. The root of true generosity is the recognition that each person is entitled to a bounty from God. Christian stewards understand this and contribute a significant portion of their income to the work of the Church that spreads the good news of hope in Christ to people who really need to here it. For the same reason, Christian stewards are willing to give of themselves so that others may experience the bounty of God’s love through the preaching of the Church and the work of mercy in the lives of the poor. The first reading from the wisdom book of Sirach says that no one who denies “mercy to another like himself” should expect “pardon for his own sins.” This principle works in the opposite direction as well. Human mercy will beget mercy from God. Human generosity will produce an abundance of God’s blessings for ourselves.

—Fr. Roger Gustafson

Stewardship

Saint Paul says in the second read-ing that “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” In whatever state we find ourselves, the Lord will lift us up. In life and in death, we be-long to him. A logical corollary of this principle is that whatever we have, whether it is riches, talents, or an abundance of time, they all be-long to the Lord. Stewardship is a lifestyle of Christian disciples who recognize this reality and are willing to give God his rightful due. We invite you to make a planned, proportionate, and sacrificial finan-cial commitment to this parish and to poor. The biblical standard is a tenth of our income, before taxes or anything else is taken out, half to the Church and half to the poor. It’s a huge step and takes trust, but we can never out give God.

NO SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK

SUNDAY COLLECTION September 10, 2017

GOAL $ 9,500

TOTAL $ 8,862

Under $ 638

Stewardship is the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares them generously in love of God and neighbor. Stewardship is not about money or fundraising. It is a spirituali-ty. It is a way of life. A steward recognizes that God is the source of all life and every blessing and that all gifts of time, talent, and treasure come from God. A steward is grateful for those gifts. A steward takes care of and increases those gifts, and then freely gives back the first and best portion of those gifts to God.

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SAINT BRENDAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Church

29 Rockaway Avenue San Francisco CA 94127 Rectory Phone: (415) 681-4225 Mon - Thurs: 8:30 am - Noon, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sun: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm www.stbrendanparish.org

School 940 Laguna Honda Blvd. San Francisco CA 94127 Tel. (415) 731-2665 www.stbrendansf.com

Convent Canossian Sisters 234 Ulloa Street San Francisco CA 94127 Tel. (415) 681-3465

STAFF Pastor Fr. Roger Gustafson Ext.220 fatherrogergustafson@gmail.com Parochial Vicar Fr. Peterson Tieng Ext.214 frpete@stbrendanparish.org In Residence Fr. Paul Warren Ext. 208 Pastoral Associate Sr. Angela Furia, FdCC Ext. 201 srangela@stbrendanparish.org Director of Evangelization & Faith Formation Manolito Jaldon manolito@stbrendanparish.org Ext. 205 Music Director Mario Balestrieri (415) 218-1767 School Principal Dianne Lakatta (415) 731-2665 dlakatta@stbrendansf.com Parish Manager Lisa Rosenlund (415) 969-6815 lisa@stbrendanparish.org Finance Manager Venetia Hui Gatus Ext. 202 venetia@stbrendanparish.org Administrative Assistant Ext. 101 Maeve O’Reilly maeve@stbrendanparish.org

Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation

Infant Baptism & RCIA for Children Sr. Angela Furia (415) 681-4225, Ext. 201

Adult Faith Formation/Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA): Manolito S. Jaldon, Jr. (415) 681-4225, Ext. 205

Sunday Children’s Liturgy: Marco & Karen Donaldson Preparation for Reconciliation & First Holy Communion Grade 2: Stephanie Stanko Faith Formation: Grade 3: Tara Donohue Grades 4 & 5: Christina Bui

Preparation for Confirmation: Grade 6: Manolito S. Jaldon, Jr. & Ben Gerigk Grade 7: Liza Bonpin Grade 8: Mary Zell Spellman

Youth of St. Brendan: A Life Teen Ministry (Post Confirmation & High School): Manolito S. Jaldon, Jr. & Ben Gericgk

Liturgical Ministries

Lectors: Richard Pinto Eucharistic Ministers: Charlotte Bautista Ushers: Mike Casazza Sacristan: Jack Mona Liturgy Committee: Anne Kearney Parish Life Welcome Committee Kathleen Bost Jeremy Straus (sbwelcomecommittee@gmail.com)

Hospitality Committee Maria Evangelista

Mothers’ Club Lori Doyle

Men’s Club Joshua Shaskan

Respect Life Mary Ann Schwab

Knitting Ministry Marie Jean Longa

Experienced Navigators: Tony Fernandez

Married Couples Club: Angela Riordan & Elia Gonzalez sbmarriedcouplesclub@gmail.com

Outreach Ministries Consolation Ministry Merry Jean Chan mjchanstb@gmail.com

Detention Ministry (San Dimas) Julio Escobar (415) 244-5594

Marian Servers Dr. Lou Scheerer

St. Vincent de Paul Society Tad Tassone (415) 587-3849

MASSES

Sunday: 7:00, 8:00, 9:30,11:30 AM Mon-Fri: 6:30 & 8:30 AM Saturday: 8:30 AM 5:00 PM Holy Days: 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM

CONFESSIONS Saturday: 4:15 - 4:45 PM Wednesday: 7:15 - 7:45 PM

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Wednesday: 7:00 - 8:00 PM Saturday: 4:00 - 4:45 PM

BAPTISMS & WEDDINGS

For information, please see our website at www.stbrendanparish.org or call us at (415) 681-4225.

MASS INTENTIONS (September 18-24, 2017)

6:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m.

Monday Ricardo S. Morada (D)

Donald Evan Huettner (D)

Tuesday Francisco Tamporong (D)

Peter Antonini (D)

Wednesday Kathleen Gannon (D)

Donald Evan Huettner (D)

Thursday George Rescalvo (D)

Matthew Aguirre (L)

Friday Baltazar Aguirre Jr. (D)

Martin Dunne

Weekday

Weekend

SAT 8 a.m. Carmen Aguirre (D)

SUN 7 a.m. William & Phyllis Ruegg (D)

SUN 8 a.m. Jack Leutza (D)

SUN 9:30 a.m. The People of St. Brendan Parish

SUN 11:30 a.m. Edward & Helen Flynn (D)

SAT 5 p.m. Joanne Ryan (D)

Parish Leadership

Advisory Board : Mike Modesti Finance Committee : Eoin O’Connor

Children and Youth Under Five Ministry: Kendra Perlitz Devon Klinefelter Girl Scouts: Lisa Shaskan Kirstin McFarlane Boy Scouts: Boy Scouts: Maureen Hurley Cub Scouts: Robert Rees (rdrees@gmail.com) Youth Ministry: Stacey Simpson Gus Del Puerto