Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11: 2-11. In the first reading, Isaiah speaks of a day when the glory and splendor of God will be apparent to all. God will come to save. James encourages the community to be patient as they await Christ’s return. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples of John the Baptist to go and tell John of miracles that have occurred. He then tells the crowd of John the Baptist’s greatness.

Domenica 3A Di Avvento

La gioia dev’essere l’abito che il cristiano indossa tutti i giorni. La mancanza di gioia è prima di tutto mancanza di fede. I discepoli ci insegnano a liberarci da atteggiamenti che potrebbero ostacolare la nostra testimonianza cristiana.

將臨期第三主日

將臨」，顧名思義，是期待一些即將要發生的事。今年，讓我們排除一切物質上的期望，專心默想耶穌降生的奧跡和聖誕的意義。

若翰洗者也像當年以色列人一樣，期待着教世者來臨，他不單期待，他也自己準備，又勸人準備。他說：「你們要悔改」，又說「修直主的道路」。他言行一致，以天主的教訓為自己生活的準則。他以身作則，生活淡泊，不畏強權，有膽為信仰作證，那怕因此而犧牲生命。耶穌對他讚賞不絕， 說他是偉大的，可是祂加上一句，在天國中最小的，也比他大。」這是什麼道理？原來耶穌向我們提問，我們怎樣回應若翰洗者的呼聲？這呼聲也是耶穌對我們的期望。我們有沒有悔改？怎樣對天主，對別人？尤其是那貧窮的，被輕視的所謂「罪人」？

還有一點，今日這無神論囂張的世代，有人不准學校祈禱，有人要把「聖誕快樂」改為「假日快樂」。其實沒有人有權禁止我們祝人家「聖誕快樂」，如果我們身為基督不敢提醒人基督耶穌誕生是我們蒙福的日子，人們將會漸漸忘記耶穌，沒有耶穌，世界根本沒有和平。

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today is the third Sunday of Advent. In the Latin Mass, the introit for third Sunday of Advent began: Gaudete in Domino semper (Rejoice in God always). So we call this Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday. On Gaudete Sunday, we do rejoice. Christ said, “Tell John what you saw.” The disciples saw the Messiah. As we look and see self-giving and forgiveness, we know we live in the kingdom of heaven. It is life filled with joy and peace.

As you can see today, a third candle is lit. It is made in pink color which represents joy. It is also reminding us that we are in a mid-Advent season. We are rejoicing because we get closer to celebrating the Birthday of Jesus.

We hear from the first reading that the prophet Isaiah describes a world that is bubbling with joy at the coming of the Lord. We are called to prepare and wait patiently for the Lord. We will feel joy when Jesus Christ arrives as he assures to his people that he is the true Messiah. Jesus points to us the joyful transformation in our lives through the signs he has given to the people.

John the Baptist wanted to cut the barren trees down by calling people to repent and change; Jesus, however, was forgiving people and giving them another chance. John’s disciples asked, “Is he truly the one?” To answer them, Jesus invites John and his disciples to look at the fruits of his ministry: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are clean again, the deaf hear, the dead come alive! The definitive sign of the Kingdom is the wholesome, healing joy it brings.

We are the people of hope. There is always a spirit of eager anticipation for Christmas. The waiting for something great to happen brings with it a lively joy, sometimes greater than the possession of what we had been waiting for. Our joy during this Advent season comes from our awareness that the Lord is already with us, and if we let him, he will even become nearer to us when we let him make us more like him. We welcome Jesus here among us.

How are we preparing for Christmas to welcome Jesus? We should approach the Lord to reconcile and ask God to forgive us and give us another chance to repent and change. Another way to prepare for Jesus’s Birthday is to reach out to those in need of help especially this Advent and Christmas season. On Christmas day this year, St. Vincent de Paul Society at Saints Peter and Paul will serve a hot meal for the less fortunate people. You can volunteer to help at this event. Our Saints Peter and Paul students prepare to celebrate Christmas by collecting toys and giving them to other less fortunate children. Let’s us join them to serve others during this Advent and Christmas season.

Have a blessed Third Sunday of Advent!

Fr. Tho Bui Pastor

Mass Intentions For The Week Sunday December 14, 2025 8:45 Luigi Marciano & Giuliana Marciano + 10:15 For the People of Saints Peter and Paul – Kong Yeung Wo + 12:00 The Birthday of Joseph Maggiora + – Anniversary of the Death of Joseph A. Crivello + 5:00 Steve & Lena Cuneo + Monday December 15, 2025 7:00 Ettorina Cardella & Family + –– Tom ‘Lunk’ Lowney + 9:00 The Birthday of Queena Maggiora +

Tuesday December 16, 2025 7:00 In Memory of Conchita & Emil Chao + 9:00 Henry Ravetto + – Healing for Hendrix Gregory

Wednesday December 17, 2025 7:00 Edward & Ernest Sabini + 9:00 Vincenzo & Mariannina Torrano V –– Charles Corum +

Thursday December 18, 2025 7:00 Birthday of Lorraine DeNicolai + 9:00 Emilia Lucchesi + – Birthday of Rosario T. Bugayong

Friday December 19, 2025 7:00 Anniversary of the Death of Giuseppe D’Ascoli + 9:00 Concetta Romeo + – Marie Serchia +

Saturday December 20, 2025 7:30 Joseph Leo Torre & Family + 9:00 Angelo Sanguinetti + 5:00 The Pierini & Spes Families + – Dolores Brockenshire & Michael Czuprynski +

Rest in Peace Graziano Cerchiai

Particular Items

Second Collection: Today we have second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Our elderly Salesians are Religious, so please remember this collection helps them!

“Let us prepare ourselves for his kingdom, let us welcome it. The little child, Jesus of Nazareth, will lead us! He who placed himself in our hands, from the night of his birth to the dark hour of his death on the cross, shines upon our history as the rising Sun.” – Pope Leo XIV, Advent Reflection.

Chanted Christmas Novena starts Monday! Come join your Salesian Priests, Sisters and fellow parishioners at the Chanted Christas Novena at 5:00 PM. Dates are in “Advent Events”, below.

Advent Events We will have the Chanted Christmas Novena at 5:00 PM on December 16, 17, 19, 22 & 23. On December 18, at 5:30 PM, we have the school Christmas Pageant.

On December 21 the Chinese will present their Christmas Show following the 10:15 AM Mass.

On December 24, the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club will lead Christmas Carols around North Beach. Gather at the Club at 9:00 AM. Carols start at 9:30.

Confessions are heard every Friday from 7:30-8:30 AM; Saturday from 4:00-5:00 PM, and during business hours at the Rectory.

Rorate Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral: On Wednesday, December 17, Archbishop Cordileone will celebrate a Rorate Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 5:30 AM. The Rorate Mass originated in the Middle Ages and recognizes that just as Advent is a time of expectation and waiting, a Mass begun in the darkness which waits for the rising of the sun can articulate that experience. In the Rorate Mass the whole Cathedral is lit only by candles.

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

Christmas Poinsettias: In a Saints Peter and Paul tradition we are offering Christmas Memorial poinsettias for sale. You can remember a loved one and decorate the Church for Christmas at the same time! People will be taking orders in front of the church on December 7 & 14, or you can email or call the parish office. Price is $20.

Speaking of Poinsettias! Pious Christmas Legends: The Poinsettia:“It was Christmas Eve. A little Mexican boy and girl named Pablo and Maria were too ashamed to join friends and family in church because they had no gift for the Christ Child. They decided to kneel and pray. To their amazement, a beautiful plant grew in the spot where they had knelt. Its flaming red leaves arranged like a star and its yellow blossom like a shining light were God's gift for the little ones to present to Jesus. The Poinsettia grows wild in Mexico and was first called ‘Flower of the Holy Night’, because of the way its top cluster of green leaves mysteriously turn red in December. In the 1830's congressman and botanist Joel Roberts Poinsett brought it to the United States.”

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 we have the Anointing following the 7:00 AM Mass.

Gospel of John Study Group: Our friend Bill McCarty, known to some of you in the Don Bosco Study Group, will be leading a 22 week long Gospel of John Bible study at Star of the Sea, on Tuesdays between 3PM and 4:30PM. The program began last Tuesday, but all are welcome to attend starting this Tuesday, December 16. For more information: runforestrunbill@gmail.com

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

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).

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.

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 14 The Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (Rejoice!) Sunday Monday 15 Advent Weekday Tuesday 16 Advent Weekday Wednesday 17 Late Advent Weekday Thursday 18 Late Advent Weekday Friday 19 Late Advent Weekday Saturday 20 Late Advent Weekday Sunday 21 The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Your gifts of December 6 & 7: $3,898. Weekly Goal: $8,670. Shortfall: $4,772. 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!