As General MacArthur once said: "I have returned." Thank you for the support you have given Father Morris, Father Taheny and all the parish staff during my sabbatical. I have decided to return to the Parish early in that my plans for doing historical research did not work out and, even more importantly, I miss Parish life.

Thank you for your prayers during the past months and I hope we can work together in the days ahead for the continued growth of our Parish and the greater honor and glory of God.

I’m happy to share with you today this letter from a couple in the parish (edited for length):

Dear Friends and fellow Parishioners,

My husband Reuben and I have been members of the St. Robert’s community since May, 1999. After attending our first Mass, we read through the church bulletin to find out about the different groups within the parish . . . .

The Fil-Am group advertised their monthly meeting. Gabby Diaz, then president of the group, invited us to their next meeting so that we could meet other Filipino parishioners and learn about the group and their work within the parish community.

Little did we know the discoveries we would make once joining this small group in St. Robert’s. . . .

Our lessons began while helping Fil-Am organize the San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila festivities. We never knew of [him] or the significance of his canonization to all Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. During the 1999 Holiday Dinner Dance sponsored by Fil-Am, they held a fashion show exhibiting the native dress of various regions of the Philippine Islands; and for the 2000 Holiday Dinner Dance, the Fil-Am members (yours truly included) performed the Rigodon dance which is a customary dance performed during State dinners and important events. These are things we didn’t know about our Filipino culture. . . .

Since joining the Fil-Am group we have become active in other ministries and activities in the St. Robert’s community, and all have truly been a blessing from God. We have found OUR parish, OUR community, and FRIENDSHIPS for a lifetime.

Give thanks to the Lord, and have a Merry Christmas.
Esperanza and Reuben Halili

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY, SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Baruch 5:1-9 Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Luke 3:1-6

As a Parish Community, We Pray...

For the members of our RCIA process. As they prepare for full communion with our church, may they grow in strength and holiness.

We welcome into the family of God: Meghan Carroll, Gabriel Wassmer & Alessandra Kline, who were baptized in Christ.

We are pleased to have celebrated the sacrament of marriage with: Richard James Smith & Thea Marie Salamanca. Congratulations!

Christmas Poinsettias will decorate the Church during the Christmas Season. If you would like to make a donation of $10 (please make check out to St. Robert’s, Poinsettias Fund) toward their purchase in memory of a loved one, fill out the form below and return it to the Parish Office by December 22nd. A memorial list will be published in the bulletin.

Please keep our RCIA members in your prayers as they journey toward their Easter Sacraments. Our Catechumens (those who will be Baptized, receive First Eucharist and Confirmation) and our Candidates (those who will recive First Eucharist and/or Confirmation) are listed below:

Catechumens:
Monica Ghattas
Lisa Kreysa
Tina Taylor

Candidates:
Maryann Cappas
Heidi Cochrane
Elena Vall

(We also pray for Jennifer Ramos who recently moved out of state but started her RCIA journey with us here at St. Robert’s)

Words of welcoming, prayers or notes of encouragment may be sent to the Parish Office, Attention: RCIA.

Join the WOMEN'S GUILD and Santa.....Make reservations now to visit with the "Man in the Red Suit" on December 9th Breakfast with Santa. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. For those of you who can’t make breakfast, Mrs. Claus will be cooking something special up for dinner at 6:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Women’s Guild. Call Kristina Wright with any questions.

MEN’S CLUB.....2nd Annual Crab Cioppino Dinner Meeting Friday, Dec. 8th. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 p.m., $25 per person. Special Blackjack Tournament after dinner. Reservations a must. Call Steve Belluomini.

SOCIABLES.....Our Christmas Brunch wil be at the Doubletree Hotel in their Chutney Grill, located at 835 Airport Blvd. in Burlingame on Sunday, Dec. 10th, at 12:00 p.m. Hope to see everyone there. For information call Bunny Moniz.

   
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4th
1:30 - 3 pm, Cheerleading.....Hall
7 -9 pm, Teen Club.....Hall

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5th
3:30 - 8 pm. Religous Education.....Hall
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6th
3 - 5 pm, Cheerleading.....Hall
6 - 10 pm, Sports Awards.....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study.....Convent

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7th
6 PM, Vigil Mass for Holy Day
3:30 - 8 pm, Religious Education.....Hall
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Chapel
7 - 9 pm, Parish Planning Committee.....Library

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8th
6:30, 8:30, 10:30 AM & 6 PM, Holy Day Masses
5:30 - 11 pm, Men’s Club Dinner.....Hall

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9th
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Breakfast with Santa.....Hall
6:30 p.m. Dinner with Santa.....Hall