A new month starts tomorrow, October 1st. We start this first day of the month with the First Saturday Devotion consecrating our family and parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary immediately after the 8:30a.m. Mass. It’s time for our annual October count. Starting with this weekend's masses, the Ushers will be taking a head count at all the masses until November.

To commemorate the life of St. Francis, the patron saint of the environment and animals, it is customary for the first Saturday of October here in our parish to have the Blessing of Animals. We will have the blessing tomorrow, October 1, at 9:30a.m. The school will also have their own Blessing of Animals on Tuesday, October 4, the actual feast day of St. Francis, the principal co-patron of our Archdiocese and the City of San Francisco, at 3:00p.m at the lower parking lot. If you miss tomorrow’s blessing, you can still join the school.

Tomorrow, parishioner Mario Benavente will lead those who volunteered to serve at St. Anthony’s Dining Room from 9:00a.m. - 1:30p.m. This is a great opportunity for us to show our concern and care for the poor. It is not too late to join. Please contact Mario at (650) 589-0494 or mxbdds@aol.com

This Sunday, October 2, is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from conception to natural death. Put a few minutes aside and pray your rosary.

Next week, I will be attending the 2022 International Catholic Stewardship Conference in Anaheim from Monday to Wednesday. I will be joined by 3 priests from our Archdiocese and two of our parishioners, Monica Castillo and Cecile Sabater. The first session this Monday will be led by our very own Archbishop Cordileone on the Spirituality of Stewardship. This should be another shot in the arm for us to reboot this vibrant parish after the pandemic.

Our Men’s Club will be having its regular meeting this Monday at 6p.m. at the Hennessy Hall. They are also hosting the 5th Annual Gomez-Picazo Car Show this Friday, October 7, from 5p.m. to 9p.m.

Next Friday, we will have our First Friday Devotion with a novena to the Sacred Heart and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. That day, October 7, is the Feast of Our Lady of Rosary. I am inviting you to join me for an Evening Devotion to our Lady by praying the Rosary for peace in our world and in our homes. The evening will start at 7p.m. with the Angelus and an introductory talk by parishioner Brent Villalobos who has written two books about the Rosary.

On Saturday, October 8, we will hold our annual Rosary Rally at 11a.m. in front of the church. This event has been led for years by Agnes Doherty who passed away last year. Fortunately, Lucy Kaloucava has picked up the mantle to carry on the tradition. We thank her for organizing this event.

Two announcements from our Consolation Ministry:

a. ALL SOUL’S DAY
A special Memorial Mass will be offered on Wednesday, November 2nd, at 7p.m. If you have lost a loved one since November 2021, please send the name, date of passing, and a photo to Judy Kerrigan (srconsolationmin@att.net), or drop off the information at the rectory. Also, we are seeking 2 volunteers for this Mass: one for lighting the candles, another for handling the slide projector. If you are interested, please contact Judy.

b. SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE
We will set up our Shrine of Remembrance at Our Blessed Mother's shrine on Nov 1. Please bring photos, cards, flowers etc. in memory of your loved ones who have passed on. The shrine will remain throughout the month of November. All items will be available to pick up on December 1.

Fr. Arnold