News - August 2020

Any time I write about finances, it’s clear that the only way to begin is with gratitude. Today is no exception. Last week I stood at Mass before you virtually and asked for your support of the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal, a collection that each of the 90+ parishes throughout the Archdiocese of San Francisco makes annually to support the ministries of the large local Church.

Just last week, San Francisco County clarified its directives for indoor religious services. Their months-long use of the term “public services” led us to believe that we were prohibited from indoor Sunday Masses, but that private baptisms, weddings and funerals with a maximum of 12 socially-distanced and masked people, including any ministers, were permissible.

Last weekend we heard the story of Jesus’ invitation to his disciples to minister to the 5000+, who were hungry, feeding them from their five loaves and two fishes. It’s the same call that you and I have as disciples of the same Lord, feeding those in our time who are hungry. As I said in my homily that day, there are times when, as much as we want to respond generously, we fear that who we are or what we have is not enough.

I write you on the feast day of our founder, St. Ignatius Loyola, whose charism continues to be a vibrant path for millions of faithful on their journey into a deeper relationship with Jesus. His spirituality is practical, often communicated in shorthand: “Finding God in All Things” (The Author of Creation continues reveals him/herself in every aspect of creation; we have but to notice.)