As a Catholic Parish Community, one of our prime responsibilities is to pass our Catholic Faith on to "the next generation." This is done within the home, at Mass and also in the classroom. On behalf of all of us, I thank the teachers of our school and our Religious Education program for their dedication and their willingness to share their Faith with the young. Over eight hundred children and teenagers are registered between the school and the Religious Education Program. This year seventy-seven 10th graders received the Sacrament of Confirmation and one hundred eight children received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time. Thank you to the parents who made so many sacrifices to ensure that their children receive a Catholic education. Thank you also to all parishioners who contribute to the support of our Parish school and Religious Education program.

I want to give special recognition and thanks to four teachers who will be leaving St. Robert’s School at the end of this academic year: Julie Presta has been a vital part in the life of hundreds of students during her 32 years on the faculty. The 8th grade classroom will never be the same. Sharon Firpo (13 years) and Donna Delucchi (14 years) have not been here as long as Julie but they have made an invaluable contribution to the Catholic education of the young. Siobhan Sheerar has been with us only a year but she will not be forgotten by her first grade class.

Say a prayer for these wonderful women who have given so much of themselves to our Parish.

Speaking of prayer, if you would like help with prayer, try www.Jesuit.ie/choice.html

Sr. Cabrini came to St. Robert’s in 1973 and taught in the school for seven years. In 1980 she was transferred to Orange, where she became Principal. She also ministered in Whittier, Salt Lake City, and Sacramento.

For four years she walked the painful journey of cancer, but she did not give in to self-pity; neither did she withdraw from life or ministry. Throughout her illness she continued to immerse herself in community life. She believed in giving 100% of her love, energy, and time to both community and ministry. Wherever she ministered, she radiated a warmth and acceptance that drew others to her. In spite of her pain and suffering, she continued to live life as fully as possible to the very end.

In February, she went home to Ireland to be with her family. Knowing that she had not much time left, she made all arrangements for her Funeral Mass. Every little detail was considered. It was just as she wanted it.

Let’s take a look at what the bishops of Vatican II said about the Church and the Holy Spirit:

When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually sanctify the church, and that, consequently, those who believe might have access through Christ in one Spirit to the Father. He is the Spirit of life, the fountain of water springing up to eternal life. To people, dead in sin, the Father gives life through the Spirit, until the day when, in Christ, he raises to life their mortal bodies. The Spirit dwells in the church and in the hearts of the faithful, as in a temple.

Consitituion on the Church, #4

Sometimes we hear the Holy Spirit referred to as the forgotten Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Not true! Every gathering for worship, every sacrament, every prayer we make, every good work we do, every act of evangelization is done in the power and love of the Holy Spirit. If not, it won’t amount to much!

We welcome you into our parish!

Dan & Debbie Ditrapani and family
John & Lydia Caberto and and family
Anthony & Cory DeBattista and family
Paul & Nicole Noske and family
Charles & Mollie Prosch and family

Luke says that at Pentecost, after the ascension of the Lord, the Spirit came down on the disciples with power to grant all nations entry into life, and to open the new testament. And so in every language they sang a hymn to God in unison; for the Spirit brought the scattered races together into a unity, and offered to the Father the first fruits of all the nations.

Therefore the Lord promised to send us the Holy Spirit to make us fit for God’s purposes. Just as dry flour cannot coalesce into a lump of dough, still less a loaf, without moisture, so too we, being many, could not become one in Christ Jesus without the water which comes from heaven. And just dry soil cannot bear fruit unless it receives moisture, so we, who to begin with are dry wood, can never bear the fruit of life unless the rain from heaven falls upon our wills.

Who is there who can hear the names of the Holy Spirit and not feel exaltation in his soul, not lift up his thoughts to that supreme nature? For he is called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, the upright Spirit, the guiding Spirit. His chief and distinguishing name is Holy Spirit.

To the Spirit all creatures turn for their sanctification; all who live virtuously seek him, and are, by his influence, refreshed and helped towards their own natural end.

He is the source of holiness, the light of our understanding, for to every mind he offers his own light for the discovery of truth.

So too the Spirit is present like the sun to each individual who is capable of receiving him, and emits an influence which is sufficient to help them all, but is not divided; and they profit by sharing in him according to their natures, not according to his power.

Through him hearts are raised on high, the weak are led by the hand, those who are advanced gain perfection. He it is who shines on those whose hearts are purified and stainless and makes them truly spiritual through the common union they have with him.

Even as bright and shining bodies, once touched by a ray of light falling on them, become even more glorious and themselves cast another light, so too souls that carry the Spirit, and are enlightened by the Spirit, become spiritual themselves and send forth grace upon others.

We are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you can prepare a favorite cookie, snack or lunch item for 10 to 12 people, please drop it off at the Children’s Chapel, in the back of Church, by 9:00 am on June 13th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

SPIRITUAL BOUQUETS

   
MONDAY, June 4th
6 - 10 pm, Men’s Club.....Hall

TUESDAY, June 5th
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library

WEDNESDAY, June 6th
9 - 10 am, Grief Group.....Mary’s Chapel
6 - 10 pm, 8th Grade ....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study.....Convent

THURSDAY, June 7th
All Day, 8th Grade.....Hall
6:30 pm, 8th Grade Awards.....Church
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Chapel
7 - 9 pm, Parsh Planning Commission....Library

FRIDAY, June 8th
6:30 pm, 8th Grade Graduation.....Church