Throughout its history, thousands of weddings have been celebrated in the iconic Sts. Peter and Paul Church. So, on this 100th Anniversary, it was fitting to commemorate the many couples whose weddings were blessed with a Renewal of Marriage Vows ceremony during the Saturday evening liturgy, the first event of the Anniversary weekend. Former pastor Fr. John Itzaina, SDB, concelebrated and gave a wonderful homily. Nearly five hundred people attended the event, including couples celebrating married life and milestone anniversaries. The longest-married couple present, Arthur and Joan Costamagna, have been together for an impressive sixty-six years. They hold the remarkable distinction of having six generations of weddings at the parish, dating back even before the church was established.
Afterwards, there was a prime rib dinner in the parish hall catered by parents of past pupils of the school and the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and served by members of the Chinese Apostolate, led by Anna Lee. The auditorium was unrecognizably beautiful, decorated by school principal Dr. Lisa Harris, Laura Vicuña Pre-K Director Barbara Simons, and Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club Director Randal DeMartini with ceiling coverings, wall-size pictures of wedding couples and festively laid tables, chairs, and place settings. Parish finance manager Ramon San Gabriel and church sacristan Joseph Latade assisted with balloon filling and mounting.
Salesian Sisters Sr. Barbara Campbell, FMA, Animator, along with Sr. Mary Link, FMA, Sr. Kathleen Gibson, FMA, and Sr. Antoinette Pollini, FMA, visited with scores of their past pupils, recounting school days, marriages, baptisms, and new generations of students at our Salesian school. Guests enjoyed a slide show of church wedding photographs dating back to the early 1900s, compiled by parish manager Gibbons Cooney, along with a commemorative booklet which he compiled highlighting the history of the church.
The longstanding supervisor of the North Beach district, Aaron Peskin, presented a city proclamation to Fr. Tho Bui, SDB. It noted the self-sacrificing pioneering spirit of Fr. Rafael Piperni of the Salesian Congregation and the early Salesians who helped transform the youth and their families of the entire northern district of San Francisco into good Christians and honest citizens. Fr. Piperni led the efforts to relocate and rebuild the original church, which had been burned in the 1906 fire following the earthquake. His image and name will be honoured on a sidewalk plaque in Washington Square, facing the church with an unveiling ceremony on St. John Bosco’s feast day, January 31, 2025.
The Good Night was given by Fr. Tho, who reminded parishioners of Rector Major Cardinal Angel Artime’s visit two years prior when he spoke of Don Bosco’s dream of age nine. Fr. Pastor asked everyone to dream along with him for the next one hundred years of what is possible with God’s help. Brother Tom Mass, SDB, and parishioner Patrick Gee captured the evening by photograph.
On Sunday, November 10, Father Provincial Mel Trinidad, SDB, was the main presider and homilist for the multi-lingual Mass in recognition of the Italian, Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Hispanic parishioners who make up the fabric of the parish community. The liturgies for the weekend were organized by Deacon Edward Te and Salesian Cooperator Catarina Lai. Afterward, the parish threw an open celebration for its community with catered food from restaurant favorite Original Joe’s of North Beach. A longstanding volunteer and Salesian Cooperator served drinks while Melanie D’Souza and the Salesian Young Adult Group of Sts. Peter and Paul Church served the large crowd. Fr. Tho, who serves as the dean of the downtown San Francisco deanery, welcomed neighbouring priests to concelebrate Mass and join in festivities. The parish community continues to give thanks to Almighty God for the many blessings poured out on young people, families, and visitors of Sts. Peter and Paul Church.
Source: Salesian Bulletin
Photo Credits –
Reception: Patrick Gee;
Liturgy: Br. Al Vu, SDB and Br. Tom Mass, SDB
