On Thursday, March 26, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on a meeting at San Francisco’s Star of the Sea Parish. The meeting was between a group of parents and press and Star of the Sea’s pastor, Father Joseph Illo, and parochial vicar, Father Patrick Driscoll. The article, titled “Parents ask S.F. Archdiocese to remove school’s leaders,” began: “In an emotional and at times angry meeting with representatives from the Archdiocese of San Francisco, more than 100 parents of Star of the Sea school children pleaded Wednesday night for the controversial leaders of their school’s church to be removed from their posts.” The brouhaha stemmed from Father Illo’s “boys only” policy for altar servers.
On March 29, Palm Sunday, parishioners at Star of the Sea responded. At all the Palm Sunday Masses, concerned parishioners collected signatures in support of Father Illo and Father Driscoll. Total signatories to the petition of support numbered almost 500. The signatures supporting Father Illo and Father Driscoll will be presented to Archbishop Cordileone this week.
By quantifiable measures, Illo appears to be revitalizing the parish. Star of the Sea has met its assessment for the 2015 archbishop’s annual appeal in slightly over one week. The Oratory of St. Philip Neri, which is hosted at the parish, has two seminarians studying for the priesthood. The parish has been host to parish missions with well-known priests. From March 1-3, Star of the Sea hosted noted Mariologist Monsignor Arthur Calkins for a three-day parish mission. In June of 2014, the church hosted Father Paul Nicholson who has been “given the ecclesiastical office of Missionary Preacher” by his bishop, Ronald Peter Fabbro of London, Ontario. Nicholson’s mission was The Eucharist: the Source and Summit of Catholic Life.
Father Illo has started a monthly parish barbecue open to all. The girls of the school are engaged in an ongoing project to collect toiletries for the elderly at the nearby St. Anne’s Home for the elderly, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor. On Palm Sunday, when the petition signature gatherers were waiting for Masses to end, they congregated in the school’s playground and parking lot, at tables hosted by the parish’s Legion of Mary. The tables are there each week, and the older ladies of the Legion provide coffee, donuts, and Chinese pork buns.
After Masses ended Fathers Driscoll and Illo were in the parking lot, mingling with parishioners and fulfilling requests. Father Driscoll went into the rectory and returned, carrying the aspergillum to bless one family’s car and a lady parishioner’s dog.
It seems to me that the pastor of the parish should be the one to decide whether or not girls can be altar servers. Those who don’t like his policy can always vote with their feet – and leave for another parish. Anger is inappropriate, making any common ground harder to find. It goes nowhere other than to weaken the community.
Anger is entirely appropriate when people are forced to buy into a sexist policy.
As I have said many times on CCD, women who teach their daughters (and their sons) that they can grow up to be anything they want in life, if they apply themselves, have a hard time explaining why half of their children can’t be altar servers no matter what they do or how they apply themselves.
Parents who perceive a dis to their daughters, because they cannot be altar servers need to ask themselves why they are not demanding that their sons be allowed in Sodality girl groups or where is the group of men demanding to be allowed into convents. I realize it is upsetting when something is taken away, but what if it was inappropriate in the first place. The real perceived dis is in thinking that there is some right being denied, but no one serves at the mass except in the will of the Pastor. It is the wish for women to be priests that keeps this desire going. See them up on the altar and just maybe someday. According to the CCC the Sacrament of Holy Orders requires a single baptized man. The priest representing Christ joins with the congregation at the marriage supper of the Lamb. The priest can only be a man.
Lisag, I am hiring engineers for my business, but I’m only hiring women at this time, because I wouldn’t want any men to think that by hiring them they might one day want my job. So please forward the resumes of your daughters at your earliest convenience.
YFC, go to a sodomy web site with your job requirements.
I would not want any of my children working for you, until you repent and promise to sin no more.
And in reparation retract all the evil you have done with your posts, on the web sites where you have posted them.
I never send anyone into an evil environment created by the owner.
Your Fellow “Catholic”— Where do you get your crazy, non-Catholic political concepts– such as “sexist” beliefs? Just what does that have to do, with the Catholic Faith?? If you were really smart– you would read what Christ has to say, of the roles of men and women! He loved His holy Mother, and placed her at the highest point in Creation, as the Queen of Heaven! Now– is that “sexist” in your beliefs? (Is she higher, than all twelve of Christ’s disciples?? Oh, my! “Discrimination!”) Why don’t you read what Fr. Illo correctly has to say, as a faithful Catholic priest– and give him your RESPECT??
I loved my own mother too, even though when my father died, her credit card was cancelled and she was unable to obtain credit on her own because she was an unwed woman. I surely didn’t love her any less because of the bank’s sexist beliefs.
…the inability to retain the credit card was likely due to your mother’s not having established credit in her own name, YFC. Pretty common dilemma that still – horror of horrors – happens today if one isn’t savvy regarding credit reporting.
Intimating that the company was biased against an “unwed” woman is absurd. But I think you know that ;^)
Your Fellow “Catholic,” why do you illogically think a bank to be operated according to your silly “sexist,” political thinking? No bank in the world, thinks like that! Do you understand how a bank is operated? There are certain business rules of operation, as well as legal regulations, that a bank has to be run by— otherwise it will fail, and close its doors! It is a good idea, to read and inform yourself, about the business rules, that guide such matters, as loans and credit given to customers! Also, there are many financial counselors available, who can guide you in how to obtain credit cards, and establishing a good credit history! Nobody will be interested in your gender, I can assure you! Plenty of help is available, for unwed mothers, as well as for all people in all walks of life, with many different kinds of situations!
It was not sexist. My Mother worked and had good credit.
And so did my Dad.
YFC, you are living in the past. I am just as well educated as my husband, and earn more than he does.
You folks are all really funny. I’m glad to share a pew wish such hilarious fellow catholics.
I’m living in the past? Um, I want the liturgy of the twentieth century, and a church for the twentifirst. Not the sixteenth.
My mother didn’t “establish credit on her own”? Wrong. She was co-signer on all the loans and credit cards.
Laws are in place!: Well, yes, laws are in place to prevent employment discrimination. I’m glad that you speak favorably about them. Let’s enforce them when it comes to catholic schools, and let’s extend them, as we have done in California to groups like LGBT employees. Will you join me in that effort?
Do you understand how a bank is operated?: Well, I have a reasonable understanding of how businesses are operated. Which is why they are running from the hills to avoid Indiana right now. And why they are running from the hills from the Catholic Church right now.
500 signatures on Palm Sunday! Way to go Star of the Sea Parish. Probably many of those “sexist” signatories have Daughters, Wives, Mothers and Grandmothers. Perhaps all?
Oh how tedious, YFC. You live in a make-believe world where you comfortably assume the high moral ground. But it is an imaginary world suited for your soapbox and nothing else. Parents who teach their children they can be “anything they want in life” do them no favors. Real wisdom is to help children develop their unique gifts/ abilities and that means knowing, at least in part, what is realistic for them and what is not. You could educate yourself on the reason for Fr. Illo’s policy and that could be very good learning opportunity both for you and “women who teach their daughters.” But I think you prefer the soapbox.
At least my soapbox is not the soapbox of lowered expectations, lowered opportunities, and condescension, from which women young and old are told by men what they can and cannot achieve.
Your soapbox seems to be that of promising purple giraffes and cotton candy rainbows, YFC. And you give far too much credit to “men” when you intimate that they are the arbiters of reality. Kind of like blaming one’s parents for the sun going down too early.
Dan, YFC never takes the high moral ground. Everything YFC does and says is for an ulterior motive – he is a sodomite, and supports sodomy marriage.
So he feels he must attack Faithful Bishops, Faithful Priests and Faithful Catholics in most cases.
People who raise their children to believe they can be “anything” they want to be, YFC, are misleading their children. And being angry when faced with reality is just a foolish waste of time or, in today’s world, the grand distraction to maintain the illusion that playing god somehow equates to “being” God.
AM, your ideas of parenting have already been debunked on this site. So please don’t make me go there.
You may be operating under “ideas” of parenting, but others actually parent real children. So go wherever you please, but that doesn’t mean you or your assorted anonymous hold any credibility, save perhaps for the bunk you spew.
That must be why you’re under the impression that people, children included, can “be” whatever “they” want regardless of reality ;^)
You, are a non-Catholic “YFC”, so you should restrict yourself to the homosexual websites that are more in keeping with your “orientation”
The concerns of your ilk bear no relation to real Catholics that have the welfare of the Church and concern for the trials of true and loyal clergy who are trying to stem the tide of rebellion and liberalism so beloved of those who see the destruction of truth and Tradition. The strategy of your homosexual brethren are well known. You make your dirty burrows deep in the Church and spread your rottenness inside, to the destruction and weakening of the structure. We must bring out the bright light of Truth and the hot fire of the Gospel and the strong medicine of Tradition and erase the filthy insects of Liberals, Modernists and Homosexual activists.
Excellent posts Ann Malley and hosemonkey!
The purpose of the Liturgy (Mass, Sacraments and Divine Office) is not to teach people they can “be anything they want in life”. It is to worship God.
And only men may worship God?
Really, there is no doctrinal basis for excluding girls from altar service. All the rationalizations offered are nothing more than attempts to pretend hide behind a sexism that ought to have died in Rome in 1965.
Being a alter boy is sort of a vocation introduction to boys to becoming priests in the future. Girls can be anything they want to be except being priests. Boys need all the encouragement and opportunities to find their calling, however early it may seem. This “new” policy makes sense and we Catholics should be glad that it is being implemented at Star of the Sea amongst others.
Can they become Priests ? You did say anything.
Frs. Illo and Driscoll seem to be admirable priests, who are doing great work in reforming a Church in dire need of reforming. Satan has been allowed free rein in that Church for a long time now. The task of restoring it is going to be difficult indeed. We should thank God that those priests are being blessed, so far, with success in so far as success can be measured in human terms. They provide an excellent example for other priests and religious leaders in other parishes throughout the Church. I pray daily that their work is the beginning of a reform comparable to that initiated by St. Philip Neri, after whom they named the oratory, at another time of corruption and turmoil in the Church. Let us all keep them in our prayers.
We need Boys to be at the Altar that will help to increase Vocation for Holy Priesthood! Let them get used to be around the altar doing things for God and with God by serving His people with His priests. We also need girls to have vocations to be nuns by helping out with altar works. The church is like a home, where the father has his duties that are for Male only. And the mother has her duties that are for Female only. Let us help boys to grow into MEN and girls to grown into Women. There are only two genders, each has its own special duties to serve God. Men are Fathers and women are Mothers. Teach them Right and guide them to love their Gender as Men or Women. There are only Two genders, no more than that!
Well said. 100% true.
Wise words of observation as usual and with a solid dose of humor. Thanks for posting, Dana. And here’s to a blessed and fruitful Holy Week with a triumphant Easter :)
Dana, I would hope you would reconsider your sabbatical absence from Cal-Catholic, because many observations and insights that you share are very worthwhile and informative.
Otherwise, the sock-puppets take over the world:
“‘Let Hercules himself do what he may,
The cat will mew and dog will have his day.” (Hamlet, Act V, Scene I)
Thanks Anne, Steve and Michael. I wrote a response but someone came to the door and I can’t remember if I posted it…in case you see two similar posts, I didn’t want you to think I’d gone round the bend. I wish I were able to do more and talk less, alas, but will try posting more if for nothing more than to be a support…and in a pinch, some comic relief ( albeit, with rather silly sallies) And speaking of humor, have you noticed that the one thing all homosexuals have in common? Answer: they singularly lack the ability to laugh at themselves. They take themselves soooooo seriously, and the drama in which they find themselves ensconced (almost all of their own making, by the by) keeps them chewing the scenery and flinging their arms about, looking for whole states to pulverize if they dare pass legislation supporting families, God and apple pie. Oh, the pathos! It isn’t enough to take on little florist shops anymore, dahlingdahling….but they are now taking on whole countries. What little sweeties…the whole worlds become their stage. Anyone have a really long hook?
….if you ever do go round the bend, Dana, just take us with you. Would be a fun trip if nothing else. And perhaps we could find that lonnnnnng hook!
God bless :)
Hi Dana ….. Pope Francis is showing us that not taking ourselves too seriously is part of Christian humility. This homosexual can laugh at my pathetic, ongoing struggle to keep my weight down, what the guys who work for me call my “half baked, broken Spanish and the residual effect of being raised with six older brothers. Oh, as a caterer, I support apple pie. We actually make a pretty good one.
The sodomy promoters – while a minority of the population are everywhere that posts are possible.
They abhor the teachings of the Church, and attack any Faithful Bishop or Priest, or prominent Lay person who speaks the truth. Yet they lie and say they are tolerant.
They even openly attacked the Doctrine of the Faith in the CCC in another article.
I’m so SORRY I missed both Father Illo and Driscoll after Mass yesterday. However; I and others I was with, all signed the petition, glad to do it!!!
I FULLY support them both!!! They are being TRUE SHEPHERDS of the flock and for those who do not care for their guidance…..you are free to attend other ‘Catholic’ Churchs who are VERY LIBERAL. You will have NO TROUBLE finding them, sad to say!!!
Good point, Elizabeth. So it seems that Father Illo is less successful at rejuvenating his parish than in transforming it into a destination resort for like-minded conservatives. How many people who signed that petition actually live in his parish?
Creating a destination parish for like-minded conservatives is the objective. If Fr. Illo is able to get them in the door, and return… he has succeeded.
The school, on the other hand, is a bit different. It relies on people 1. with children, 2. who can afford the tuition, and 3, are within a reasonable daily commuting distance, which means more dreaded city people who have been corrupted by modernist ideals like gender equality, and precious few who see the 12th Century AD as superior to the current one.
Unless he wants to remake the school into a destination boarding school for like-minded conservatives (possible), there’s going to be a tension there…
Anonymous says, I’m sure you can find an ultra-Modernist parish in your diocese that will meet your needs.
“Anonymous,” are you Catholic? Are you a parishioner at any Catholic church? Do you belong to Star of the Sea parish? Do you really care, about Christ and His holy church? Why don’t you call up a fine priest like Fr. Illo, and tell him your silly opinions? Tell Fr. Illo, what you think he ought to do, in his profession, as a Catholic priest! Go ahead, and then let’s hear your report, after the phone call, in which you have “enlightened” Fr. Illo, as to how to correctly do his job!
I’m happy to answer Linda Maria’s questions. I just wish she were willing to answer her own questions vis-a-vis her perpetual attacks on bishops and priest and laity of the Church who she usually claims have lost the faith entirely. She quite often offers the Pope himself advice on how he should correctly do his job, so she must be the right person to engage on these issues, so thanks to her for her support. I look forward to hearing back from her after she rings the Pope and hears her enlightenment. In fact, I hear he likes to chat on the phone with the rank and file.
So, yes, I AM catholic. No I am NOT in Father Illo’s parish. I DO care about Christ and His holy Church. I have not yet called him “up”, but I do intend to worship at his Parish, and if the opportunity presents to raise these issues in a charitable way I definitely intend to do so. I will be happy to report back to you Linda Maria. How may I reach you?
“Anonymous,” you always write nonsense. You are not truly interested in Christ, nor His holy Church! You are not sincere! This is Holy Week, and you are wasting everyone’s time!
Anonymous, be certain that you use Sacred Scripture and the CCC.
The Priests at this parish are not foolilsh.
And do not speak on behalf of women. You are wrong too often.
On this Holy Week we can support change with a Tax deductible offering. Make checks payable to
The San Francisco Oratory
Mail to
Oratory-in-formation at
Star of the Sea Parish
4420 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel. 1-415-751-0450
I did. Hope and Change in San Francisco is a good thing, and we can all help push back at the modernist steamroller.
This would be a retrograde change>>> back to men oriented altar servers, men oriented Extraordinary Ministers of Communion,>>>men announcing the Scriptures to the faithful. Back to men engaging in anyting other than sowing or needling. Let’s just get real here.
Your Fellow Catholic, let the men serve the women at Mass for a change. It’s past time.
Why do you want women doing all the serving at Mass? Women are not slaves to you men. I’m sick of men like you who expect us to do most of the work.
“Let’s just get real here.” = OK
Here is some “getting real.” You’re not fooling anyone but yourself. You really couldn’t care less about the rights or treatment of women or the rights and treatment of children or for that matter the rights and treatment of black people who are discriminated against for the color of their skin. You are a pond skimmer of other people’s legitimate pain in order to lustfully serve yourself. Damaging innocent children will not be taken lightly when you face God. You are narcissistic to the point of believing that your particular cross trumps the pain and suffering of all mankind. YFC, That is why it is correct to call your behavior disordered.
Homosexual activists need to realize that many see this disordered selfishness in their collective, “I’ll pretend that I care about your rights as long as you help fight for our right to be completely intolerant against any person or organization who does not accept sodomy or same sex marriage as a gift.”
Wow that was a good one Catherine. I must have hit a nerve this time.
Anonymous, I’m certain that Abp Cordileone will recognize the addresses of the registered to the Parish and SFO Diocese on the petition.
I would drive a rather long way to attend this faith filled Catholic Parish,
and the greed $$$$$$$$, envy, and of some other SFO Parish Priests must be eating at their Souls.
They don’t teach the Faith fully and accurately according to the Bible and CCC; they either abuse the Liturgy of the Mass (GIRM) themselves and or allow the Laity to abuse the Liturgy.
I would send my children to this Catholic School – but only if Fr. IIIo stays.
I’m not interested in a heretical school, or paying tuition for an education that is no better than the public schools.
How many people who showed up at the meeting shouting and screaming at these priests were actually parishioners of Star of the Sea, or even Catholics, or even residents of SF ???
Or even practicing Catholics?
If any Parents do not like Catholic Doctrine of the Faith (Church teaching, CCC) , they have the option of removing their children from the “Catholic” School.
Goodbye and good riddance.
You might want to read the Examination of Catholic Conscience distributed at Star of the Sea, and ask yourself:
“Was I the cause of anyone abandoning the Catholic Faith?”
https://www.newmanconnection.com/ccwatershed/Examination.pdf
Only a liberal could come to that conclusion Hugh… if these parents do not want to follow Catholic Teaching then leave… or do you believe the teaching should bend to the will of liberal parents…oh let me guess
Cardinal Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments,
said it was a “MISTAKE” approving Altar Girls.
And here is the reason why – – – – – –
I have sons and daughter, and my daughters have no issues with boys being chosen as Altar servers – after being explained that this service may also help them with potential vocations to the Priesthood.
We all know that we need our Priests.
Thank you, Maria, for communicating the reality that intelligent young women are precisely that, capable of engaging logic and reason. Even on a topic wherein the majority of those claiming women’s rights/equality would seek to have girls behave as unthinking party-line ideologues.
And thank you, too, for the good job raising your girls to be thinking individuals!
Two sides of a story are always better than one!
Bob One predictable as the sunrise,,,,
And I thought I was being unpredictably capitulating!
Happy Easter, everyone.
Every day the sun rises is a good day. God bless Fr. Illo, Fr. Driscoll, the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, and Star of the Sea parish.
Those in support had best hurry. Many fear the worst for the good Father. Write to the Archbishop, certainly, and also write to Bishop William J. Justice, in support of Fr. Illo and Fr. Driscoll.
Satan is strong in San Francisco, and the pagan parents of the Star of the Sea School, and the High School parents against Abp. Cordileone are demanding blood. If they cannot bring down the Archbishop, they will settle, for now, for Fr. Illo.
The outrageous conduct of these purported “catholic” parents, and of the HomoFascist lobby, is reported in exaggerated fashion in Liberal papers across the country. The voices of the common, but faithful, Catholics are not heard, so it seems as if all are against the Archbishop and his few faithful priests. Work hard to overcome this.
You will know them by their fruits.
” Illo appears to be revitalizing the parish.
Star of the Sea has met its assessment for the 2015 archbishop’s annual appeal in slightly over one week.
The Oratory of St. Philip Neri, which is hosted at the parish, has two seminarians studying for the priesthood.
The parish has been host to parish missions with well-known priests.
From March 1-3, Star of the Sea hosted noted Mariologist Monsignor Arthur Calkins for a three-day parish mission.
In June of 2014, the church hosted Father Paul Nicholson who has been “given the ecclesiastical office of Missionary Preacher” by his bishop, Ronald Peter Fabbro of London, Ontario. Nicholson’s mission was The Eucharist: the Source and Summit of Catholic Life.”
The wacko Priests who are against this good work for the false sake of “equality” need their heads examined, or need to be defrocked – whichever is appropriate per individual.
Satan opposes the work of Fr. IIIo, even in the form of dissident Priests and their dissident, ignorant followers.
If the “backlash” is evidence of anything, and it is, these holy men are setting about reform of far more than their parish. And it is making the devil mad.
Don’t forget the PR firm that is aligned with the protesting parents. You will not hear anything good in the mainstream media!
Thank you Cal Catholic!
500 signatures in support is a great number to gather in a single weekend, especially in the City’s parishes which tend to be small (with a few notable exceptions).
Let’s keep praying for the Oratory.
And something really telling is the collection of the 2015 assessment for the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in a little more than a week!
Hmmm. How much did the dissenting parents contribute to last year’s AAA?
“In June of 2014, the church hosted Father Paul Nicholson who has been ‘given the ecclesiastical office of Missionary Preacher’ by his bishop, Ronald Peter Fabbro of London, Ontario. Nicholson’s mission was The Eucharist: the Source and Summit of Catholic Life.”
Fr. Illo only started at Star of the Sea in August, 2014. Although the mission itself may have been laudatory, it’s not part of Fr. Illo’s efforts to revitalize the church, as is implied in the article.
Dave N., Fr. Nicholson’s Mission was terrific! And yes, it is a part of the overall, wonderful plan, to revitalize and sanctify the work of Christ, at Star of the Sea church! Are you Catholic? True Catholics rejoice at such a beautiful gem for Christ, that is in the making, at Star of the Sea church! Very few churches today, are so blessed! Fr. Nicholson loves to say the Tridentine Mass, and I so appreciated his daily Masses, at the Mission! I also appreciated the veneration of a holy relic of St. Josemaria Escriva, on the final day of the Mission, which happened to be St. Josemaria’s Feast Day! Wonderful and rare opportunity, for many graces! To establish a successful Oratory of St. Philip Neri, is also a rare opportunity, to sanctify the Church, and yield many fine priestly vocations, for Christ! We are blessed!
I didn’t say anything negative about the mission; I was referring to the inaccurate reporting in the article and the assumed attribution of that particular effort to Fr. Illo, at least if the dates stated in the article are correct.
Truth and accuracy should be important to everyone if we are to have a credible voice. The ends don’t justify the means.
Dave N.— you are wasting your time, as there is plenty of misreporting and distortions, by the immature, immoral, liberal leftist media! The San Francisco Chronicle, which gave this news report, is an immoral, diabolic, liberal media leader! It is trying to destroy the Catholic Church and her Archbishop, in San Francisco! It hates the Archbishop, especially, for his recent decisions, regarding his Catholic schools! Haven’t you read the news?? The writer of this news report included both the recent Mission, as well as the Mission last summer, with Fr. Nicholson. No need to separate the two, as they both relate to the same thing at the church—two noted, outstanding priests were invited to give successful Missions! This is all part of the fact that Star of the Sea is desiring to improve, revitalize, and become holier! This is a great blessing for all Catholics, whom they serve! Can’t you understand that, Dave N.??
Here’s the assertion made in the article: “By quantifiable measures, Illo appears to be revitalizing the parish.” Fair enough, but Fr. Illo had nothing to do with the Fr. Nicholson mission. It’s misleading. If you want to be credible, you have to make sure the reporting is accurate–otherwise CalCatholic can be accused of the same distortions as the liberal media. Just because there’s misreporting by the liberal media, it’s license for “anything goes” here at CalCatholic? This sounds like “two wrongs make a right”–not exactly a feature of Catholic morality.
Dave N.– you have missed the whole point! The San Francisco Chronicle is NOT WORTH READING!! The Chronicle has previously stated– It is OUT TO DESTROY THE MISSION OF THE ARCHBISHOP, AND OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH!! They stated that they desire to support the evil public relations agent, hired by the angry, immoral, godless, faithless “Catholic” school teachers, to deliberately DESTROY THE ARCHBISHOP’S REPUTATION, AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH!! They also support the angry, ignorant, “Catholic” parents, at Star of the Sea– and wreak havoc and vengeance there! The Chronicle, local TV station KRON-4 , and other local media– is all owned by the same, giant corporation! This corporation is liberal, leftist, and highly immoral! It promotes promiscuity, abortion, gay sex and gay “marriage,” sado-masochism, pornography, etc. They HATE Christianity, and especially HATE the Catholic Church!!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dave N. is correct. We made a mistake. Father Nicholson’s mission was held under the pastorate of Star of the Sea’s previous pastor, Fr. Mark Mazza. We apologize for the error.
For those who want more info on STAR of the SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH in SFO – https://staroftheseachurchsf.com/
Liturgy/Sacraments, Retreats for young adults, Ministries, and the Oratory,
and the School.
CATHOLIC PARENTS should check out the elementary school – PRESCHOOL &, K through 8.
As well as those wishing to donate toward tuition for the less fortunate.
Regarding STAR of the SEA –
” Moving Mountains 03-31 ”
https://www.churchmilitant.tv/platform/?today=2015-03-31
But Voris is off-base in that segment. He confuses Star parishioners, who support Illo and Driscoll, as the petitions show, with school parents, very few of whom are parishioners.
I live an easy 5 minute walk from a Catholic church but I joined and attend a parish which is a 20-25 minute drive from my house. It has only altar boys (dressed in black cassocks and white surplice) who are very devout and serious in their serving. No one is on the altar besides them, the deacon or MC and the priest. All is very reverent — Liturgy, Sacred Music, homilies. Most receive on the tongue, in one form only. There is one TLM is every Sunday and on specific other days as well. Confession starts 30 minutes before every Mass and continues throughout the Mass (long lines always!!). I could go on and on. The point is, “vote with your feet”. If you don’t like one parish, find another that suits you. Leftists, though, always try to get everyone to do what they want.
There are plenty of churches in the SF archdiocese. If you don’t like St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, go somewhere else! Leave the few parishes who are trying to be Catholic alone!! And stop making a scene about all your wishes. The Church has survived 2,000+ years without your opinion!!
As I said in a comment to another post, there is a “market niche” for a conservative parish in the City. The more I think about it, the more it strikes me that a large part of the progressive archdiocesan priests’ resistance to the Oratory is financial. They have had a monopoly for decades on Catholicism. Their conservative parishioners have had nowhere to go but the mainline Catholic parishes if they wanted their children to attend parochial schools and have access to the sacraments of initiation. Now a viable alternative exists.
Thank the Lord for a viable alternative to the heretical nonsense.
Father … I was on our finance committee. We are taxed on our first collection. Does the money raised by Fr. Illo for the oratory and the crowd funding by Vorris count as part of their assessment? If so, I can see why some pastors would be concerned that Star/Oratory was getting preferental treatment, thus increasing the other parishes assessment.
Oops .. I meant “If not.”
God made them male and female, in other words, men and women, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Each and everyone of us has a role to play, but because of the sin of jealously, many want to be what they are not. Only males are supposed to serve at the altar, and I do not care if the Vatican says it is ok for girls to be servers. Wrong is wrong, and right is right. For around 1900 years, liturgical functions were reserved to men. Just to be relevant and give in to the women’s liberation idea, and allow what has been forbidden in the past, is silly, stupid, and totally secular. If Father Illo does not want female acolytes, leave the poor priest alone. He is the boss there. Go to another parish where there is dancing and all kinds of sophomoric behavior. These other parishes are Catholic in name only, and God is probably no present there because of their unbelief.
Herman, as a woman in my mid-30’s, I agree with your post.
I fully support Frs Illo and Driscoll as the church becomes an ever more a very interesting and inspiring destination. Note their Holy Week schedule at https://starparish.com/. I wish that I lived nearer the church so that I could attend Mass there more often than I am now able to do.
When I read of the efforts of faithful bishops, priests and lay people to resist the tide of modern culture and sadly hear of many who are Catholic in name but not in spirit who violently oppose and attempt to destroy them, this quote comes to mind:
“The Heretics may possess the buildings of the Church, but you possess the Faith of the Church… It is a fact that they have the premises – but you have the Apostolic Faith. They can occupy our churches, but they are outside the True Faith. You remain outside the places of worship, but the Faith dwells within you.
Let us consider: what is more important, the place or the Faith? The True Faith, obviously. Who has lost and who has won in this struggle – the one who keeps the premises, or the one who keeps the Faith?….
Even if Catholics faithful to Tradition are reduced to a handful, they are the ones who are the True Church of Jesus Christ.”
(Patriarch Saint Athanasius [b. Alexandria, Egypt 296 A.D. – d. Alexandria, Egypt on Wednesday, May 2, 373A.D.],
Patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt, Father of Orthodoxy in the Catholic Church, “Coll. Selecta SS. Eccl. Patrum.,” Caillu and Guillou, Volume 32, pp 411-412)
A Pause 4 the Cause
The following link to CMTV and its planned program to help form Young Men as Future Leaders in promoting authentic Catholic Teaching and Media / Film Production, is well worth a viewing – and some serious consideration.
SEE
TIME TO PAUSE
It’s time for young men to take a PAUSE from the craziness of the contemporary culture.
TO APPLY: https://www.churchmilitant.tv/pause
Larry, I am with you! Wish I lived closer so I could attend more often!
So, refreshing and reverent, you feel like you’ve literally experienced a little bit of Heaven here on earth!!!
Father Illo and Driscoll, prayers coming your way….even the Good Nuns at EWTN are praying for you :)
How dare the liberals ask that a good, holy and decent priest be removed from his position. These agitators are like the Pharisees we are reading about in readings for Passion Week. These know it alls demanded that Christ be put to death and crucified. Move ahead almost 2000 years later, a you have another bunch of low informed people demanding that Father Illo and Father Driscoll be fired from their positions. This is the fruit of the French Revolution and Vatican II. These evil people will not rest until the two suffering servants are gone. How sad and how tragic that this demonic behavior is found today in the Catholic Church.
I agree, Pilar, except that I would not come down as heavily on the “agitators”. The teaching of the Faith has been scandalously neglected for several decades now. When that happens people, even well-meaning people, develop weird ideas about the church, so much so that when confronted with the truth, they can’t recognize it, and react by treating it (truth) as heresy. Often the weird ideas have not only been tolerated, but even encouraged, by dissident members of the clergy. It is hard to think of a place where that is more true than in San Francisco. When the prophet is absent, the golden calf gets fashioned very quickly. Now the task of destroying the golden calf is underway. Let us pray that people will see and recognize the truth when confronted with it, and return to the true Faith.
Wonder how much of Star of the Sea collection monies, especially the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, go to cut checks for the 8 out of 10 Archdiocesan High School teachers who have proclaimed their independence from the Archbishop, and with no sense of shame declared he the “bad Catholic”? It is a good question for all, especially the funders of Star of the Sea to ask. Are their monies funding radicals on the picket lines, dedicated to organizing against authentic Catholic teaching? And why does the Archdiocese continue to finance those self-identified and explicitly opposed to the Archbishop and his authority and authentic Catholic teaching, violating the very terms of the employment agreement that the Archdiocese has put to them? And why must Star of the Sea raise scraps and tithe to the Bishop, while Catholic school rebels receive fat subsidies for error? The pickets will supp celebratorily on champagne the Easter while Fathers Illo and Driscoll heat food in their bunker, living an Easter Lent of abandoned traditionalism.
A new look at the ‘Pander or Perish’ agenda of the Abomination & its Gaystapo Thought Police – coming to Fundamentally Transform your life next…
“Obama refused to help Nigeria stop Boko Haram over its stance against gay ‘marriage’
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/former-u.s.-congressman-obama-refused-to-help-nigeria-stop-boko-haram-over?
Former U.S. Congressman Steve Stockman was one member of the four-person U.S. Congressional Delegation sent to Nigeria in the months after the horrific kidnapping of over 250 schoolgirls by the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram.
He was the only Republican on the delegation – Stockman confirmed that during his June 2014 delegation to Nigeria, top U.S. brass told him they had intelligence to aid the Nigerian military to “crush” the terrorist group Boko Haram, but were blocked from doing so by the Obama administration.
What was the reason for the refusal of the critical intelligence? According to Stockman it was over Nigeria’s stance against same-sex “marriage.”
Stockman called President Obama’s policy to Nigeria “skewed” and “blind-sighted.”
“They’re so blind-sighted and so dedicated to the agenda, which we all know is pro-homosexual and pro-gay ’marriage,’ that they’re willing to, in my opinion, sacrifice the lives of young girls and boys who have been murdered, kidnapped, and butchered,” he said.
“So, the policy on paper seems benign. But really what’s carried out through these policies means the continued killing of young children and kids. It’s horrific.”
Stockman called it a “twisted world” in which America’s social policies for Nigeria are “prevent[ing] our government from taking actions to stop that kind of butchering.”
” I stopped coming here because there should be a place where I don’t have to read homosexual propaganda day in and day out…” Dana
That, Dear Dana, is the ‘People for the Alinskyite Way’ pf promoting ‘tolerance’ – which is to essentially bury your ‘enemies’ with hate propaganda – to the point where they are the only ones who can be heard ‘shouting in a graveyard’.
Driving away valid contributors helps promote Censorship of politically Un-Good Thoughts, which can be transmitted to the ‘Vanilla’ (suburban taxpaying voters & their children) and produce a Lack of Respect for the Gaystapo.
Can’t have that now, can we – just think of their hurt feelings at not being able to force their sick physically harmful pathological disease spreading Misandrist Hatred – on Everybody, particularly those who know better.
OR – as asked before about Radical Homosex Trolls & their scams:
“Why is America Taking Advice from Dan Savage, The Man Who Licked Doorknobs To Give His Enemies the Flu?
https://www.nomblog.com/11306/
It’s important to keep in mind, that the laity have no basic right to serve at the altar at all. The service of the altar is a clerical function. That the laity are allowed to be altar servers at all, is by permission. Historically, these roles were reserved for clerics and minor orders, when in ages past, there was an abundance of priests. Allowing men and boys to serve as altar servers is a recent development in the Church of the past century.
Prove that.
Scripture itself speaks of the deaconate. Women were a large part of it. You might want to silence the ancient order of the deacons so that you can suppress the roll of women in the service of the Church.
Even some conservative bishops admit that the issue of female ordained deacons is not out of the question. I’m guessing you are opposed to the idea.
Just who do you think you’re fooling, yfc? Everything you say, think and do reflects disregard for Church teaching, Truth and Biblical understanding and you tell someone else to prove what has always been taught? No, YOU prove it…and only using the sources I mentioned, not your own impossibly skewed opinions! And stop schmoozing the room with your fake oh-so-reasonable-and tolerant stance when everyone here knows you’re part and parcel of the homosexual hate machine steam rolling this country with lies, deceit and tactics used by the Mob to enforce your evil agenda. I’m taking my gloves off, you egregious bully, and it’s time Catholics stop thinking it’s inevitable that your side wins. You lost two thousand years ago. Our dear Lord died on this day that ALL may be saved…including you, and you as much as spit on what He did for you by saying what you do isn’t a sin. And as a woman, I especially despise how the hooligan heretics are trying to undermine our place in the Church. Treachery! Deceit!
It would appear, Dana, that you only traded one art for another or, perhaps, let one art rest a while for the post above sings with truth and verve. IOW: Pure art!
God bless.
Dana, I’m sorry if the Epistles are not a source that meets your criteria. Blessed Triduum to you, Dana.
Deacons are clerics. It is part of the sacrament of Holy Orders. Deacons are not laity. The laity have never served the altar in Church’s history until recent times with the permission for lay boys and men. It was the function of clerics in the minor orders, deacons, and priests. Maybe in another age, there may be such an abundance of clerics, lay men will not be needed anymore.
The diaconate has always been restricted to men. The Greek word for deacon means server or servant, so in Greek, it also wasn’t just a clerical title. It would translate into the title, servant of God. That is why you find deaconesses in scripture, but these deaconesses were not clerics. These deaconesses were lay women who assisted clerics.
Not true, please read the Epistles.
Rather than making your usual claims YFC,
many of which are errant, please provide the specific chapter and verse numbers in the Bible to support your statements.
The first deacons were chosen in Acts 6:3
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
St. Paul takes it as a given that all deacons are men, when he says in 1 Timothy 3:12
“Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children, and their own houses.”
The Council of Nicea in canon 19, ruled and put to rest the idea that deaconesses were anything other than lay women. The Council clearly states that deaconesses have not had hands laid on their heads with the the reception of Holy Orders. They were lay women who assisted clergy.
“..Like treatment should be given in the case of their deaconesses, and generally in the case of those who have been enrolled among their clergy. We mean by ‘deaconesses’ those who have assumed the habit, but who, since they have not had hands laid upon them, are to be numbered only among the laity.”
Wow! Good news! Our Dana is back! Hi Dana! Great to see you posting again. We missed you!
Thanks so much, Catherine! I am sorry I’m so weak, but I was getting so I was losing sleep and couldn’t work on my art. This whole Indiana affair has really shaken me up. The battle pins have been drawn and this should motivate all Christians. If the whole state of Indiana is attacked, how are any of us free to live our faith? Je suis Hoosier!!!
Dana,
“It would appear, Dana, that you only traded one art for another or, perhaps, let one art rest a while for the post above sings with truth and verve. IOW: Pure art!”
Dana, I wholeheartedly agree with Ann Malley’s eloquently stated words. I love what Ann wrote. That truly is a compliment. God has blessed you with many artful gifts and the reason that your gifts stand out so beautifully is because of your Catholic faith. You are also absolutely right Dana about these egregious bullies who claim that they only want tolerance. See the story link below.
Dana, When Our Lady said, “In the End My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph” then we know that there is an ongoing raging battle and this diabolical disorientation will rear it’s ugly head in so many different forms and ways. We see this within the Church, on CCD and certainly in California an yes, in Indiana. The devil has always been able to dupe his working minions into thinking that they are winning. … Even when they think they are temporarily winning, they do NOT win.They are fooling themselves. God always wins!
HIGH SCHOOL COACH SUSPENDED AFTER THREATENING TO BURN DOWN CHRISTIAN-OWNED PIZZERIA
“On the heels of the news from the pizza shop, coach Dooley allegedly took to Twitter to say, “Who’s going to Walkerton, IN to burn down #memoriespizza w me? Agree with #FreedomofReligion bill? “That’s a lifestyle they CHOOSE” Ignorant.”
https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/01/high-school-coach-suspended-after-threatening-to-burn-down-christian-owned-pizzeria/
“…egregious bullies who claim that they only want tolerance.” How very true. And the same can be said of those who have hijacked so-called “women’s” issues to beat against common sense and reason. Reminds me of the Carpet Baggers of the Old South.
That was a beautiful compliment that Anne Malley wrote, Catherine…and one I don’t deserve, but will ask forgiveness in my rudeness in not responding. Thank you Anne!! ;) hugs all round.
I don’t know if any of you have read some of the consequences to Indiana’s rather mild support of religious freedom, but it certainly is a litmus test of how dare gone this country is. Spielberg wants to rename his movies…no more Indiana Jones. It won’t be a penance but I have a good excuse now for avoiding his movies and not just because most of them put me to sleep anyway. But the threat of losing basketball is to Indiana like telling Californians they can’t have swimming pools. Wow, what state is going to risk any moral stance when the depraved, monied mobs need a whipping boy to show their self- righteous indignation and tender regard for the indefensible.
Got that right Dana – the Gaystapo is Ruthless in enforcing their Pander or Perish Rule, and the smaller the target – the easier to pull an Alinsky on, like this one designed to frighten all the others
SEE:
Christian Grandma-Florist Fined $1,001, Ordered to Work Gay Weddings but Refuses, Says She Won’t Betray Jesus; State Threatens to Take Her Home, Business Away
https://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-grandma-florist-fined-1001-ordered-to-work-gay-weddings-but-refuses-says-she-wont-betray-jesus-state-threatens-to-take-her-home-business-away-136613/
A Christian florist and grandmother who declined to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding because of her Christian belief in traditional marriage has been fined $1,001 by a Washington court and will be held liable to pay the legal fees incurred by the gay couple, which could “devastate” her financially.
As previously reported by The Christian Post, 70-year-old Barronelle Stutzman, the owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, Washington, was found guilty of violating the state’s non-discrimination law in February, after referring Rob Ingersoll and Curt Feed to another florist when they asked her to provide the floral arrangements for their wedding.
Although Stutzman sold flowers to Ingersoll for nearly a decade and maintained a positive relationship with him, when he asked her to provide flowers for his same-sex wedding, she felt she could not act against her Christian conviction to serve her friend.
With love this parish will be revived. Jesus is love and with Him all is possible. Both the OF and EF are holy. Many Catholics take for granted the pearls we have in our faith, there is no excuse to say that they weren’t taught, just many are lazy or have other priorities. How many dead people walking attend mass both in the OF and EF, dead because they have their own agenda’s away from God. Some are busy living things by the law but neglect true charity, some do not know their faith and are lukewarm, some here and there….whatever it is, we must strive to be faithful to the truth and faith and NOT take our faith for granted! How often Catholics fall in that trap, of just taking for granted our beautiful faith, the Mass, holy bible, the sacraments… how many distractions do we have in our life, we have many, set them aside because when we die, we can not take the material with us. We will have to meet our creator and answer for everything we committed against him, should we not repent, but we must never despair and trust in His mercy, for He knows what is really in our heart. He reads our heart, He knows us better than anyone else, he knows our flaws and because of His mercy he overlooks them…..there is no life without Him, NO life without HIM.
As this site prepares to go off the main screen, I offer you this comparison. Obama will never admit that Islam is behind all the terroristic attacks against Christians. He will also not admit that it is mainly Christians who are targeted. Just like Obama are the liberals in the Church. They want things even more liberal, and will not admit that the Church is in chaos because of the left wing interpretation of Vatican II. Had Vatican II not occurred, there would hardly be any scandals or dissentions in Holy Mother Church. Therefore, liberals are like Obama; wanting to destroy what was good and true!