News - Home

Students are coming back to school, those fortunate enough to have summer vacations are returning to a more traditional schedule . . . For a variety of reasons, the "fall of the leaves" presents a time of renewal for our community. Whether it is being together again in meaningful ways, continuing to live God's love as expressed in the Gospels through Mercy & Justice, or a renewal of responsibility of being the primary catechist for your children, the time is always ripe, but especially so in fall.

For the last 16 years, together with Dr. Mary Romo, I have had the privilege of accompanying hundreds of adults on their journeys to become Catholic through St. Ignatius’ Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, (previously known as RCIA). My faith has emerged to be the central axis of my life. It has shaped me, guided me, inspired me, and comforted me. My faith is a treasure that has come to touch each facet of my life. Throughout my time with the this community, I have seen the enrichment of so many people who have let faith become their beacon too. At the heart of any Christian endeavor is coming to the understanding that Jesus’ teachings about love can be applied to any situation or circumstance. And as we introduce folks to the Catholic tradition, we do so with this notion in mind. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) program is ultimately a pathway to discovery and serving as a catechist means we get to participate in the spiritual growth of people who continue to search for God’s presence. As a lifelong Catholic, sharing our faith this way is truly inspiring because we get to see the fruits of our tradition take form.

My first exposure to the slave trade outside of something I read in a textbook was a visceral experience I had when I visited the Slavery Memorial at the Christiansted National Historic site when I lived on the island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. St. Croix was a Danish territory from 1733 to 1917 and one of the centers of slave trading in the Caribbean. There are records of more than 100,000 slaves that were brought, confined, auctioned and sold in St. Croix from 1734 to 1803. The Danish West India Company kept meticulous records of the origin, family composition and disposition of each slave which were mostly sourced from what is now modern Ghana in West Africa which was also a Danish colony.

Lynn Powe, from Mission Doctors Association, will speak at all Masses August 2 and 3. The second collection at these Masses is for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which supports missions such as Mission Doctors Association. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, a worldwide network that supports the missions and the Young Churches with prayer and charity.

Are the 300 or so people who regularly participate in Mass online, through the livestream, simply watching Mass? No. Although the homilies are enriching and the music and liturgical environment are beautiful, these people don't just watch but participate by actively praying and are part of our worshiping assembly. Most are parishioners and all part of our community. Many of the people who participate in Mass online are unable to be physically present in the church. In a recent survey, some of these people described themselves as legally blind, disabled by Alzheimer's disease, ho

My mother and I met in Romania this summer to prepare a memorial service for my uncle’s one year death anniversary and to put the home I grew up in for sale. I was not able to attend the funeral, so it was a particularly solemn visit for me. We wanted the presence of an elder, Mihai, the last surviving sibling of my grandmother at the memorial, so we went to our ancestral village to pick him up. At 85, he was jovially riding his bicycle on the unpaved medieval road.

St. Ignatius Parish 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball Team Celebrates with WNBA Valkyries Game This year’s 8th grade girls’ basketball team didn’t just compete—they triumphed. After an unforgettable championship season defined by grit, teamwork, and heart, it was clear they deserved a celebration as bold as their accomplishments. Last year’s teams had the exciting opportunity to play during the California Classic—a summer showcase featuring recent NBA draft picks. But this year, we wanted to do something different—something that truly recognized the girls’ incredible run and reflected what they had achieved together.

This summer we are reading You Are Not American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers, by Amanda Frost. Take the summer to read a fascinating book with your fellow parishioners, then join together for an in-person discussion in the Accolti Room on Sunday September 7, after Hospitality. Or, if you can't make that, you can join us on Zoom, Wednesday, September 10, at 6 pm.

Both Martha and Mary, female companions of Jesus in today’s readings, are loved with that special kind of love expressed in the Gospels. To help us engage in richer contemplation of today’s reading, all our ‘propers —Gathering Song, Psalm, Preparation of the Gifts, Communion and Sending Song—were written by women-composers; our Prayer of the Faithful highlights the need to support women and all of us striving to live as disciples, and our homily draws out Jesus’s cultural work increasing our capacity to recognize human dignity for the sake of glimpsing what is truly essential, loving your neighbor as God loves you—with unconditional, eternal love.

In June, we welcomed Patrick Kennedy as our new Director of Advancement. Some of you may remember Patrick from his work as an embedded consultant for our Preservation & Promise church restoration campaign from 2020 to 2022. Patrick was also a member of our most recent OCIA cohort, joining the Catholic Church (and our parish) this Easter. Patrick will help lead our membership growth, engagement, and giving efforts; he’ll also guide a strategic planning process as we discern God’s calling for our parish community in the coming years.

This June, I had the privilege of traveling with two of our recently confirmed high school students to Notre Dame Vision, a Catholic summer program hosted by the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. This was my second time attending, and I’m happy to share that it was just as impactful—if not more so—than my first experience. Before arriving in South Bend, the two young men and their moms flew out early to explore Chicago together. They caught a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, enjoyed deep-dish pizza, and soaked in the sights and sounds of the city. These shared moments—between mothers and sons, before the pace of life speeds up with college and careers—became treasured memories before the program even began.

It’s scary, but imagine being the target of that behavior simply because of your gender, race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, perhaps on the street, MUNI or BART. We can reach out and offer support, even help, and as interested and socially-responsible citizens, we are called to help when we see people in need. In particular, as Catholics, we are called on to promote the dignity of all persons, leaving no one outside our circle of compassion. Everyone — older adults, children, people with special needs, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation— has the right to be treated with dignity, compassion and humanity.

We have various volunteer opportunities for anyone who would enjoy helping a neighbor in need. Recently, a volunteer reported on her visits with residents at an extended care facility. One resident in particular, “was a very cheerful, sociable patient with whom [the volunteer] had a lovely time talking about her interests, such as reading books, painting her nails and many others. The afternoon went well and time passed very quickly.”

Until recently our Church has had a rather checkered history with the LGBTQ+ community. But in 2013 attitudes began to change when our late and beloved Pope Francis said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" Later, in 2023, he took a further step towards reconciliation with the community when he allowed priests to bless people in same-sex relationships. One of the foundational principles of Catholic Social Teaching is the concept of human dignity. Pope Francis’ words and deeds have brought the Church closer to providing our LGBTQ+ brethren with the human dignity that it has denied them for centuries.

The Rosary and Families During a long road trip in the car with my family when we were all getting a little cabin fever and feeling a bit antsy, I suggested praying the Rosary. Though there were grumbles from everyone, I got started, and soon everyone joined along. By the end of the Rosary, the tone of the car had shifted. We were calmer and felt peaceful. We looked out the windows and were amazed by the beauty of the landscape around us. My younger sister in high school said, “Wow, I’m amazed at how peaceful I feel after the Rosary.” Soon after, we arrived at our destination — peaceful, excited, and ready to embrace the joy God had in store for us as a family! The Rosary is a powerful tool for families to deepen their faith, connect with one another, and seek guidance from Mary and Jesus. It can be a simple and accessible prayer for all ages, uniting families in the rhythms of Christian experience. By meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, families can reflect on the events of Jesus' life and Mary's role, fostering a deeper understanding of their faith. And praying the Rosary is not only about the work of believers, but also about the work of God. Mary promises special protection and graces to those who pray the Rosary faithfully. Finally, the Rosary connects families with Catholics around the world and through time back to the early Church. If you would like to learn more and practice the Rosary as a family, join Children's Faith Formation for a family picnic and learn how to pray the Rosary on Sunday, May 25th after the 10 am Mass on the USF Lawn! Enjoy light refreshments and the company of your family and others as you and your children learn this ancient meditative practice. Bring a rosary and a blanket if you have them! Rosie Costa, Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator

On behalf of St. Ignatius Parish, Fr. Greg recently attended the California Preservation Awards, a statewide hallmark, showcasing the best in historic preservation. The 2025 winners were celebrated at the California Museum in Sacramento on May 9th. St. Ignatius Parish's project was celebrated and honored as one of the best historic preservation projects in California this year. Recipients were selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists.

Born in Norwalk, CA, in 1926, to immigrant parents, Asawa’s life was marked by early adversity. During World War II, she and her family—like approximately 120,000 other Japanese Americans (including US-born citizens)—were unjustly forced into US internment camps. Yet even in hardship, Asawa was able to discover beauty. Like St. Ignatius, who found God in all things—even suffering—she ultimately transformed trauma into something sacred. Asawa is most well-known for her groundbreaking wire sculptures: floating, transparent forms inspired by nature and basket weaving she observed during an artists’ tour of Latin America. These sculptures remind us to view the world contemplatively—to find grace in the ordinary, and the divine in the overlooked.

The Spiritual Exercises are at the very core of St. Ignatius’ spiritual journey. He spent 30 plus days in a cave examining his life, looking at ways that he can engage with Christ more fully and had a Spiritual Director that he would go see two or three times in those 30 days. In Catalonia, Spain, we walked down from Montserrat, where the spiritual director was, across the valley and along the river, and we came up to the cave.

The newly revived Neighbor2Neighbor ministry continues to flourish throughout this Easter Season. Grateful recipients of assistance have expressed their appreciation for the work of the N2N volunteers. The daughter of a woman receiving Holy Communion at home wrote to thank the ministry: “It is wonderful to feel the care and love of our neighborly and spiritual community. It meant so much to my mother to meet your volunteer, pray with her, and receive the Sacrament. She felt touched and uplifted. The neighbor to neighbor ministry is a blessing for both of us!”

Thursday night, 26 young people from our parish received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Special congratulations to all of you! You have been preparing for this for two years, deepening your relationship with Jesus, and learning more about the Church and your place in it. We are grateful for your generous response to God’s love for you, and we look forward to seeing how you become more active members of our faith community, sharing with us the abundant gifts that God has given you!