Dear Parishioners,

On Ash Wednesday, we heard the words from St. Paul to the Corinthians:

"So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God."

There is a new urgency. How are we to act responsibly in a world grown increasingly violent, unjust, partisan, and mean-spirited? Not, surely by securing our own little corner. Not by masking preemptive strikes against a likely enemy, for then we turn likely enemies into actual and active ones. During Lent, God calls us by name to give time to our relationship with him. We are called to be reconciled. By means of almsgiving, fasting, and prayer we establish a deeper relationship with our creator. Having strengthened our relationship with our Father, we can improve our relationships with others.

Thank you to all who helped to make the celebration of Father Marini’s fiftieth anniversary as a priest so special. To Virginia Yanke and all helped on the reception, thank you. To Pat Vallez-Kelly and all who helped with the Liturgy, a very special thank you. We were honored to have Bishop Wester and Bishop Cummins of the Oakland diocese with us for this great occasion in the life of Father Marini and of our Parish.

Please pray that God will grant Father many more years of good health so that he can continue to minister to all of us here at St. Robert’s.

I am happy to announce that the building plans continue to progress. The architect, Brian Boker, is a former parishioner who designed the remodeled sanctuary of our Church. He is proceeding with the drawings that will be necessary for the Planning Commission and the final bids. The Archdiocese has approved Frank Portman Construction company as the builder. Bill Portman, who will be in charge of the project was also a parishioner of our Parish for several years. Many of you will remember Bill and his wife from Little Church and Middle Church. The company has also been involved in many of the remodeling projects of the past dozen years. If any present parishioner would like to be a sub-contractor on this project, please contact me at 589-2800 and I will give you the requirements of the Archdiocese that will allow you to bid on the project.

Please keep our campaign, BUILDING FOR A NEW CENTURY in your prayers.

"To Wear the Crown He Wore"

This Lent the Church Environment and Art Committee "resurrected" a design for the church environment that was used several years ago. The large crucifix has been covered by a violet drape, and in its place hangs a large crown of thorns.

The crucifix is our usual icon drawing us into meditation on the powerful and ultimately victorious self-sacrifice of Jesus. It’s a powerful symbol because it seems to convey the mystery of Jesus as priest, prophet, and king all in one image. It reminds us of Jesus’ and our passover through death to eternal life which we celebrate with each Eucharist. The crown of thorns, while maybe not quite as full of meaning as a symbol, is nonetheless appropriate and powerful in this season of Lent.

Lent is a penitential season. In our tradition, few things draw us into repentance more strongly than the story of the passion and death of Christ, of which the crown of thorns is a symbol. The crown, an instrument of mockery and torture, also reveals in truth that Christ is King. He was, first of all, a master of his own heart, and in the face of such mockery and violence, he responded only with forgiveness and mercy. How are we called to imitate this Christ?

As a Parish Community, we Pray...

Each Friday during Lent, you are invited to participate in the three Lenten disciplines: PRAYER, FASTING, & ALMSGIVING. Our Lenten theme is :

"I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME".

To follow Jesus more closely, let us come together for:

PRAYER—Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m. in Church

FASTING AND ABSTINENCE—A light meal hosted by the Fil/Am group and Legion of Mary (in Hennessy Hall, following the Stations of the Cross).

A baby is God’s opinion
that the world should go on.

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, 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, Richard Quintana, Pauline Speranza, Kari Stellino, Don Vickery, George Jones, Henry Fosson, & Bernie Voight.

My sister, Marie, and I want to thank all of you for making my 50th Jubilee the joyful celebration that it was. We want to thank Father Ring for all his help. We are grateful to Pat Kelly for arranging the liturgy and taking care of so many little details; to Don Thompson, the organist; to the choir; to Jim Kason our cantor; and all those who helped make the Eucharist so prayerful and so beautiful. We also want to thank Virginia Yanke and her helpers who put on such a wonderful reception. And I want to thank all who sent cards and remembrances. St. Robert’s out did itself.

UNITED IRISH CULTURAL CENTER
PRESENTS

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;

A Catholic Site for Seekers: A new internet ministry from the Franciscans (sponsors of St. Anthony Messenger Press) seeks to help inactive Catholics reconnect with a local Catholic faith community. This site, www.oncecatholic.org, offers a special place where inactive Catholics can ask questions, interact with on-line companions, find resources and reconnect with a local parish. This website may also be beneficial for those you are practicing Catholics.

Website for Catholic Youth: Disciples Now is an innovative and faith-filled web-based ministry for Catholic teens. It has been developed by youth ministers, campus ministers, catechetical leaders, and diocesan staff members in partnership with publishers and other youth-serving agencies. It includes a "Since you asked" feature with responses to teen questions of faith and life by Fr. Gary Bagley, Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Buffalo, New York as well as a variety of interactive catechetical and fun features. Nearly 3500 teens visit the site each day. Feel free to check it out on the web at www.DisciplesNow.com.

St. Robert's Adult Education - 2002

An Introduction to
World Religions
(Video Series)

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

Hennessy Hall

Light Meal Served with Soda / Coffee

February 17, 2002 Hinduism

Live Auction!
Featuring art projects made by the students of
St. Robert’s School and CCD Program
Bid on one-of-a-kind art items:

Monday, February 18h
3:30 - 5 pm, 8th Gr. Practice.....Hall

Tuesday, February 19th
3:30 - 8:15 pm, Religious Education.....Hall
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library
7 - 9 pm, Building Campaign.....Convent Chapel

Wednesday, February 20th
4:30 - 6 pm, Cheerleading.....Hall
7 - 8:30 p.m. 8th Gr. Dinner Dance Practice ....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study.....Convent Chapel

Thursday, February 21st
3:30 - 4:30 pm, Religious Education.....Hall
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7:30-9 pm, School Board Mtg....6th Gr. Classroom
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth....Kitchen

Friday, February 22nd
3:30 - 4:45 pm, Cheerleading.....Hall
5 - 9 pm, Lenten Supper.....Hall
7 - 8:30 pm, 8th Gr. Dinner Dance Practice.....Hall

Did you know St. Robert Church and School participates in the eScrip program? This is a very easy way for us to earn money to benefit our Church and School. Here’s how it works:

You register your Safeway Club Card, Visa, Master Card, ATM, Debit, Chevron Gas Card with eScrip, and every time you shop at a participating store e.g. Mollie Stones, Lunardi’s, Pak-n-Save, and more, we receive 2-5% of your purchase. It is a very safe program. No information is sold or given out. There is an annual fee of $10. We receive an average of $1,900 a month with our current 183 members.

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

The Pursuit of Happiness in a World of Idols - March 15-17
Silent Lenten Retreat for Women
Leo Hombach, S.J.

Leading a God-Centered Life - March 22-24
Silent Retreat for Men (Palm Sunday)
James Hanley, S.J.

Dying and Rising in Christ - March 28-31
Holy Week
Silent Retreat for Men and Women
El Retiro Spiritual Directors

VALLOMBROSA CENTER
250 Oak Grove Ave
Menlo Park, Ca 94025-3218
650-325-5614

TAIZÉ - March 21
Toni Longo, ASC

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

Men and Women’s Retreat - March 1-3
Coraje, Women, Courage
Maria Elena Martinez, OSF

Silent Meditation Retreat - March 22-24
Barbara Hazzard, OSB

Silent Men’s Lenten - March 22-24
Barry Brunsman, OFM