Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122 “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” Romans 13:11–14: Matthew 24:37–44 “Let us then throw off the works of darkness,” Saint Paul exhorts us today. It is time to prepare for the coming of the light. We don’t want to be caught unaware when the Lord comes. Though we naturally look forward to Christmas Day, today’s readings remind us that Jesus will also come to judge us at the end of time. Unlike Christmas Day, which always falls on December 25, the end of the world will come at a time we cannot know. Therefore, let us live in the light of Christ, “the armor of light” as Paul calls it, ever prepared for his coming.

Domenica 1A Di Avvento

All’inizio del nuovo Anno Liturgico ogni cristiano aspetti il Signore con viva e consapevole partecipazione. Dobbiamo vivere l’Avvento nel segno della pace, dell’impegno cristiano, della vigilanza, della solerzia e creatività. Comportamenti che renderanno possibile le nostra salvezza.

將臨期第一主日

將臨期的中心思想是期待上主來臨。舊約時代，人們渴望默西亞降臨，因為先知們預言過救主將要來臨這件大事。從今天開始，教會要我們以四個星期作準備，使我們心中再度燃起渴望救主來臨之情，同時感謝天主賜予救贖的大恩；因為我們的渴望不再是像舊約時代的那樣，是個還未實現的事實。現在天主聖子已經降生成人，為我們受苦受死，復活升天，救贖世人已成了事實。我們今天的期待的是救世主來到我們心中。而祂也實實在在會來到我們心中，和我們結合，那是在彌撒、在聖體內，或者在我們的祈禱中。

在現實生活中，如果我們在歡迎一位好友或一位貴賓到家中小住，我們會打掃乾淨，並且作出種種準備，務求使他覺得賓至如歸。為了準備天地的主宰，救世的君王耶穌的來臨，我們更應該澈底打掃靈魂，好好準備，務求最適合地迎接我們的大主。因為我們不知道什麼時候祂會到來，所以我們要時刻醒寤。這不僅是指世界窮盡或指一個人生命結束的時候，同時也指每天每時，耶穌可能來到我們心中，作短暫的訪問，要告訴我們一個訊息，但我們卻因為心靈沒有好好準備而錯過了。

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We begin the new Liturgical year with hope and waiting for the Lord to come again. The four candles that will be lit each Sunday of Advent are the symbols of faith, hope, love and peace. The First Sunday of Advent readings remind us that the day of the Lord is at hand. Let us prepare ourselves throughout this Advent for the celebration of the Birthday of Christ. A quote of a reflection from the Faith Catholic:

“Stay awake! The time is now. You do not know the hour, so be prepared now. The urgency throughout our readings today is unmistakable. Indeed, Jesus uses the example of the master of the house knowing when a robber was coming to the house. If he had known, he would have been fully prepared. Jesus tells us to prepare with similar urgency and expectation, for we do not know when the Son of Man will come.

Of course, we don’t have to wonder about the date or hour of Jesus’ coming at Christmas! But at the beginning of Advent, the Church doesn’t direct us immediately to the manger in Bethlehem (those readings will come later in the season). Rather, we are encouraged to contemplate two other “comings” of Christ: namely, his coming at the end of time and his coming to us here and now.

Our preparations for these two “comings” go hand-in-hand. Everything we do to receive Christ with love here and now will form us to receive him at the end of time. And the good news is that we do not have to take the burden of preparations on by ourselves, which is a good thing because the world around us is seemingly already celebrating Christmas. How can we prepare? We have reminders in our liturgy – for example, violet vestments which, as during Lent, remind us to practice penance in order to fix our hearts on Christ. We can also prepare by acts of service, which carry a special urgency during Advent when so many people around us struggle. We should not neglect the sacrament of reconciliation, either. By our prayers, good works, sacrifices, and efforts to grow in virtue, we heed Saint Paul’s words in the second reading: Throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light … put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Finally, it is helpful to recognize that the Mass is an “advent” and a Christmas in itself. In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to us and we encounter him in a way no less real than Mary and Joseph did in Bethlehem or than we will at the end of time. The more we immerse ourselves in this holy mystery, the more we become attuned to God and, as Saint Paul reminds us, throw off the works of darkness. At each Mass and on every day of this Advent season, may we have the courage to be vigilant and do what is necessary to prepare our hearts for our Savior.”

Have a blessed Advent!

Fr. Tho Bui Pastor

Mass Intentions For The Week

Sunday November 30, 2025 8:45 Birthday of Celestina Sbragia + 10:15 Kathleen Freyne + 12:00 Loriano & Anita Belluomini + – Judith Marie Serafin + 5:00 Barbara Solari + Monday December 1, 2025 7:00 Joseph Leo Torre & Family + 9:00 Sheila B. Thomaczek +

Tuesday December 2, 2025 7:00 Emmanuel Edward Te & Marilou Cua (Thanksgiving) 9:00 Maria Russo & Luigi Cirelli + – Edmond Serchia + Wednesday December 3, 2025 7:00 Jennifer Fairbanks + –– Esther Ragusa + 9:00 Peter Domenici & Peter Domenici, III + Thursday December 4, 2025 7:00 Cathy Te & Mylyn Kalayatan (Thanksgiving) 9:00 Edward & Ernest Sabini + Friday December 5, 2025 7:00 Anniversary of the Death of Rose Marenzi + – Intention of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone 9:00 Healing Mike Magellan Saturday December 6, 2025 7:30 Nicola Sanguinetti + – In Reparation for the Offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary 9:00 Gaetano Alioto + 5:00 Ruth, Guido, Gig & Jean Ghiglieri +

Marriages Zachary Stevens and Vanessa Serrano

John J. McKenna and Andrea Modugno

Rest in Peace Agnes Ng – Philip Hackett

Particular Items

Second Collection: Today we have a second collection for the Church Maintenance Fund. Please be generous!

Mille Grazie! To Albert, Andrea, David, Francine, Lani, Leslie, Lisa, Lourice, Marie, Silvano, & Sr. Kathleen who helped prepare the Christmas Appeal mailing!

Don Bosco Study Group: On Tuesday, December 2, the Study Group will meet from 4:00 to 5:30 PM in the Don Bosco Room. The group will discuss the book and movie “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a great Christmas story. They will also discuss chapters 11 & 12 of the Parables book and will go to dinner afterwards at Il Pollaio. For more information: franklavin@comcast.net

Bible Study! Deacon Khoa leads Bible Study every Thursday at 7:00 PM. Come explore the revealed Word of God!

Lessons & Carols: On Thursday, December 4, the Sacred Heart High School Chamber Choir and the Saints Peter and Paul School Children's Choir will come together to perform a joyous collection of carols and hymns paired with reflective readings to usher in the season of Advent. Doors open at 6 pm,

Eucharistic Adoration & Confession/ Anointing of the Sick: We have Adoration & Confession every Friday, following the 7:00 AM Mass. And on the first Friday of the month (this Friday!) we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass.

Chinese Apostolate Advent Retreat: Next Sunday, December 7, the Chinese Aposolate will have an Advent Retreat in the Don Bosco Room. Please call Fr. Lam for more information

First Sunday Rosary: The Apostolate meets every first Sunday of the month (next Sunday) following the 10:15 AM Mass, to pray the Rosary in the Don Bosco Room.

Cruzada Guadalupaña 2025: The 32nd Annual Cruzada Guadalupaña will take place on Saturday, December 6 at 5:00 AM at All Souls Church, 315 Walnut St. in South City. Pilgrims gather depart from All Souls at 6:00, for the pilgrimage to Sain Mary’s Cathedral, where Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 PM. For more information call (415) 333-4868, or email cruzadaguadalupana@gmail.com

Salesian Bingo: The next Salesian Community Bingo will be on Thursday, December 11. Doors open at 6;00PM, play starts at 6:30. Call 415-397-3068 for tickets.

Choose Life! Walk for Life West Coast 2026: Join fellow Catholics and Pro‐Lifers from all over California and beyond as we stand up for the littlest among us at the 22md Annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco on January 24, 2026. The day begins with the Walk for Life Mass at 9:30AM at St. Mary’s Cathedral celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore. Saints Peter and Paul will host all-night Eucharistic Adoration for Life the night before the Walk. For more, visit walkforlifewc.com

SAVE THE DATE! School Centennial March 14, 2026: Saints Peter & Paul School is thrilled to be celebrating our Centennial year with a Gala event at Bimbo's 365 Club! Join us as we look back on the SSPP School legacy -- and forward to a bright future!. Saturday, March 14, 2026. Tickets on Sale November 2025. Visit ssppevents.org/gala-100 or email centennial@sspeterpaulsf.org for more information.

Above: Do any of you recognize this well-known alum? That’s Russ Gumina, Class of 1958 and long-time Executive Director of the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club!

Want to go deeper in Salesian Spirituality? Founded by Don Bosco himself, the Salesian Cooperators are an association of Christians living in the world according to the Chrism of Don Bosco. There are monthly formation meeting for those interested. For the Zoom link, contact Frank Lavin at (415.310.8551, or email franklavin@comcast.net).

Interested in Becoming Catholic or in completing your Sacraments? The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) is for those who are unbaptized and who wish to join the faith, or those baptized who would like to complete their other Sacraments. Contact Deacon Edward Te at ete@sspeterpaulsf.org

Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School & Pre-K Accepting Applications: Our K-8 Salesian school is accepting applications for this year and next. Please email Dr. Lisa Harris at the school at lharris@sspeterpaulsf.org, or Jessyca Ng at the Pre-K at jng@sspeterpaulsf.org to learn more.

Sponsor a Student! The Salesians started by educating the children of the poor and we are not about to stop now—but like Don Bosco before us we need your help! We invite financially able parishioners to help with this ministry. Please call Fr. Tho at 415-421-0809 or Dr. Lisa Harris at 415-421-5219.

Catholic Medical Care right in our Parish! Bella Primary Care offers primary & pediatric healthcare in accordance with Catholic principles. They are located at 2000 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 304, in San Francisco. Now scheduling appointments for: PEDIATRICS: Wellness visits for ages 6 months to 18 years with our pro-life pediatrician Dr. Tammy Mahaney. WOMEN and MEN: Comprehensive annual exam. EXPECTANT MOMS: Pregnancy verification, initial ultrasound and blood work. FERTILITY: Initial and follow-up appointments using natural fertility assessment methods.

For appointments, call 415-775-1500 or email our office at info@bellaprimarycare.org We look forward to caring for your families in a Christ-centered way!

Liturgical Calendar Sunday 30 The First Sunday of Advent, The New Liturgical Year Monday 01 Advent Weekday Tuesday 02 Advent Weekday Wednesday 03 Francis Xavier; Priest Thursday 04 John Damascene; Priest, Doctor Friday 05 Advent Weekday Saturday 06 Nicholas; Bishop Sunday 07 The Second Sunday of Advent

Your gifts of November 22 & 23: $2,726. Your gifts of November 15 & 16: $3,408. Two Weeks’ Goal: $17,340. Shortfall: $11,206. Campaign Human Dev. (11/15 & 16): $1,295.

We are always in shortfall. Fr. Tho asks for your help Please consider donating an amount equal to a breakfast or lunch or movie ticket. Your parish needs & appreciates your support!