Dear People of God,

I hope you survived the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle and had time to make the true meaning of Christmas a reality in your lives. Every year I promise myself that I will never again let the shopping frenzy take hold of me. But human nature is very weak and I find myself falling into the same trap as each Christmas comes. Unless I am involved in some feverish activity I feel that I am being left behind. In our Parish we have so many outreach programs - The Giving Tree; Gifts for the needy; Gifts for the shut-in people; Food for the hungry; Adopt a family. The list goes on. On behalf of all the recipients of your generosity I say "Thank you, and may God bless you".

As the New Year begins it might be a good time to think of how our lives can be more simple. Can prayer take a bigger part in them? I invite you to pray for vocations. We need more young people to answer God’s call to the Priesthood or Religious Life. God always calls but maybe we are not listening. Or it may be that we do not want to hear. Don’t worry. The prophets did not jump at God’s invitation either. But God has a way of prodding us until we answer. At the top of each new month in the calendar for 2002 there is a prayer for vocations. It would be wonderful if you decide to recite this prayer daily.

January 13-18 is National Vocation Awareness Week. What better way can we celebrate it than by praying for the awareness we need.

Don’t make too many New Year’s Resolutions. The initial fervor soon wears off. Make one that is practical and try to keep it. Good luck!!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son."
- Jn 3:16

Our Advent theme flows into the Christmas season. It’s as important for us to celebrate the presence of God as it is for us to seek it. We can look for and find God’s presence in many different people and places and situations, but we don’t really need to look any farther than our own hearts! Remember, God is love. When we allow someone to love us, God is there.

True love is both given and received. Sometimes it’s hard to accept another’s generous love. We feel like we don’t deserve it, or we don’t want to be vulnerable enough to accept another’s love. Sometimes we’re just too busy to be loved.

As a Parish Community, we Pray...

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Ilaria Belluomini, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Guido Botelho, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Joseph Calleja, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Ray Driscoll, Carl Edwards, Adela Florez, Elsie Grech, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Josephine Lavoie, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Jeanne McHugh, Terry McLeod, Sal Milizio, Bunny Moniz, Catherine Okulove, Leo Pieretti, Richard Quintana, Lee Shick, Pauline Speranza, Kari Stellino, Don Vickery & Bernie Voight.

ST. ROBERT'S PARISH
New Year’s Day
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Tuesday, January 1, 2001
9:00 a.m. Only

We are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you can prepare a favorite cookie, snack or lunch items for 10 to 12 people, please drop it off at the Children’s Chapel, in the back of Church, by 9:00 am on Jan. 9th.

Scripture Classes will resume on Wed. Jan. 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the convent Chapel. We will study the Book of Genesis.

An Introduction to
World Religions
(Video Series)

Sunday Eves 6:30pm - 8:30pm
(Following 5:30pm Mass)

Hennessey Hall

Light Meal Served with Soda / Coffee

January 13, 2002 Islam
January 20, 2002 Protestantism
January 27, 2002 Judaism
February 10, 2002 Buddhism
February 17, 2002 Hinduism

TUESDAY, January 1st
New Year’s Day
Mass at 9:00 a.m.
Office closed

Wednesday, January 2nd
7:30 -9 p.m. Bible Study....Convent Chapel

Thursday, January 3rd
7:30-9 p.m. youth....Hall
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel

Saturday, January 5th
9-20 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration....Church

Sunday, January 6th
10 - 11:30, Fil/Am Choir.....Hall

Confirmation Preparation for Baptized Catholic Adults
(18 years or older who have received First communion)

will be offered
at Serra High School in San Mateo,
7:30-9:30 p.m. Tues, 2/19/02 - 4/30/02;
or at Riordan High School in San Francisco,
7:30-9:30 p.m. Tues, 2/20/02 - 5/1/02;

Applications for St. Robert School Kindergarten for the 2002-2003 school year will be accepted in the School Office Monday - Friday, January 7th through the 11th, from 9 am to 3 pm. The screening fee for each applicant is $25.00.

Please bring copies of your child’s birth and baptismal records, a recent family photograph and your child’s social security number. Screening dates will be assigned on completion of the application.

Requirements for School Registration: Family must be registered and participating members of St. Robert’s Parish. This means that the family is involved in Parish life and the financial support of the Parish. Applications will be accepted for children who are 5 years of age by September 1, 2002. All acceptances will be based on student screenings and parent interviews.

Non-Discrimination Policy: St. Robert School, mindful of its mission to be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. St. Robert School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

EL RETIRO
300 Manresa Way
Los Altos 94022
(650) 948-4491

From Fear to Faith - Jan. 4-16
Recovery Retreat for Women
Msgr. Terry Richey

The Freedom to Respond to God and God’s Grace - Jan. 18-20
Silent Retreat for Men
Fr. Thomas Weston, S.J.

Living in the Presence of God - Jan. 25-27
Silent Ignatian Retreat for Women
Fr. Robert Scholla, S.J.

MERCY CENTER
2300 Adeline Dr.
Burlingame, 94010
(650-340-7474)

Epiphany Light - Jan. 13th, 1:30-5:00pm
In dance and music we will honor these and many illuminations
Carla De Sola; Suzanne Toolan, RSM

Earth’s Crammed with Heaven - Jan. 25-27
An invitation to come apart from the busyness which causes numbness and not noticing.
Patricia Ryan, RSM

SAN DAMIANO RETREAT
P.O. Box 767
Danville, Ca 94526
(925) 837-9141

Reconciliation - Jan. 11-13
Spirituality fora small planet
Fr. Brian Joyce and Dr. Brian Swimme

Francis of Assisi - Jan. 18-20
Towards a spirituality of communion
Regis Armstrong, OFM