San Francisco, CA
San Francisco residents attend Ash Wednesday, pray for Pope Francis
Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, a period of reflection for Catholics worldwide. While many gathered today to receive ashes, a symbol of faith, worshippers in North Beach also lifted up special prayers for Pope Francis, as he remains hospitalized for respiratory complications.
At St. Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church, Father Lam administered ashes to parishioners, continuing a tradition that has persisted for centuries. The custom signifies repentance as the church prepares for its Easter fast.
“We are asking people to do some penance and do some good works, helping others, so we can all go together and prepare ourselves for Easter,” Father Lam said.
However, this year’s Ash Wednesday has a unique significance. The global Catholic community is especially focused on prayers for the pope, who has spent nearly three weeks in the hospital battling respiratory issues.
“We ask you to pray for his speedy recovery, so that he can resume his duty as the pastor of the whole world,” Father Lam added.
The pope’s illness comes amid concerns over a significant decline in church attendance. A recent 2024 report from the Hartford Archdiocese revealed an 18% drop in Catholic church attendance from 2019 to 2024. This decline has been attributed, in part, to an increasing number of Americans identifying with no religious affiliation.
Despite the trend, some church leaders are optimistic. Frank Lavin, a Eucharist minister, noted a positive shift in attendance at St. Peter and St. Paul.
“It was really great this morning to see so many people in church getting their ashes again. Because it used to be a really big deal to go to church on Ash Wednesday, get ashes, give something up for Lent. So, I feel like the tide is kind of changing,” Lavin said.
The decline in attendance is also linked to ongoing controversies, including the church’s decades-long sexual abuse scandal. Yet, Father Lam remains hopeful about the church’s future.
“When you look at the human face of the church, we find many faults and many defects and so on, but don’t forget that Jesus Christ is the real leader of the church. So we have to look at the church not only from the human point of view, but also from the divine perspective,” Father Lam said.
It is this divine perspective, he believes, that sustains his commitment to serving his community.
San Francisco, CA
Body cam footage released in South San Francisco police shooting
(KRON) — The South San Francisco Police Department released video Thursday showing what led up to two officers shooting a man who authorities said was armed with a knife.
On December 8 at around 5:10 a.m., police arrived at the 900 block of Sandra Court on the report of a man under the influence of drugs and making threats to kill himself. When officers made contact with the man, identified as 28-year-old Luis Francisco-Manzo, he initially complied with orders, authorities said.
Officer-worn body camera video shows Francisco-Manzo walking toward officers in the entrance hallway of an apartment complex with his arms raised. A small dog barks as officers give repeated commands. Suddenly, Francisco-Manzo appears in the entranceway next to officers as one calls out, “He’s got a knife.”
Officer Brendan Hart, who has been with SSFPD for eight years, fired a Taser at Francisco-Manzo, but it did not have the intended effect, police said.
Four gunshots are heard in the body camera video. Police said Officer Hart and Officer Martin Corona were the officers who discharged their weapons. Officer Corona has seven years of law enforcement experience with over four years at SSFPD.
Francisco-Manzo was transported to the hospital in critical condition. On Thursday, authorities said he continues to recover in the hospital. No officers were injured in the incident.
The police shooting remains under investigation by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
San Francisco, CA
Pedestrian killed in San Francisco hit-and-run crash
SAN FRANCISCO – A hit-and-run crash in San Francisco on Wednesday evening left a pedestrian dead.
Driver fled scene
What we know:
According to the San Francisco Police Department, the crash happened around 6:05 p.m. in the 5500 block of Mission Street. The driver fled the scene after striking the pedestrian.
The victim died at the scene.
Officers have not yet provided a description of the suspect vehicle involved in the incident.
No further details were immediately released.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco: Anti-ICE protester gets probation for ‘depredation’ of ICE van’s tire
SAN FRANCISCO — A protester who was initially charged with misdemeanor assault has been sentenced to probation for a less serious offense, ending a federal prosecution that only started four months ago, court records show.
On Dec. 8, Angelica Guerrero, 35, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor “depredation” of an ICE van’s tire — a fancy legal term for slashing it with a knife. The same day, a federal judge sentenced Guerrero to probation, according to a minute order of the hearing.
The charge stemmed from an Aug. 20 protest, when Guerrero slashed the tire of an unmarked Chevrolet van being used in an ongoing “enforcement and removal” operation by the Department of Homeland Security on the 100 block of Montgomery Street, according to prosecutors. The complaint alleges that Guerrero “made repeated threats” against one of the officers, including stating, “I’m going to (expletive) you up” and “I’m going after your family,” as well as threatening to stab the officer.
Guerrero was released within 48 hours but complained of “barbaric” conditions inside Santa Rita Jail, during an interview with ABC7.
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