Each year on the third Sunday of September, we take time to celebrate who we are as a Catechetical Community by celebrating Catechetical Sunday. Catechetics is an integral part of the mission of the Church and of each local parish in particular. As such, this occasion is an opportunity for the parish community to acknowledge, commission, and to show appreciation for those who minister in our parish programs as teachers and coordinators. The ministry they offer is vitally important to the faith formation of children, youth and adults. This Sunday we will honor all our catechists involved in Religious Education, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Baptismal Preparation and RCIA. You are invited to be present with the parish community at either the 9:00 a.m. Mass or 5:30 p.m. Mass this Sunday to join with the celebrant in a Commissioning Ritual prepared for the occasion.

The theme for this year’s Catechetical Sunday Celebration "Living the Word" is especially appropriate now. Our response to recent world events forces us to focus carefully in reflecting on our Christian values and beliefs. To live for the Lord requires each of us to forgive and ask for forgiveness up to "seventy times seven" as was Jesus’ response to Peter's question in today’s gospel.

We all owe special thanks to the parishioners who worked so hard to make our Parish Picnic such a great success. It was a time to build community by sharing food together, visiting and having a good time at volleyball, races and even bingo. Well over three hundred attended this annual event.

I would like to give special thanks to the parishioners who welcomed my high school seminary class of 1952 to our Parish. It was truly a happy day for me to be able to show my old friends the greatness of St. Robert’s. My gratitude goes out to those who poured the drinks and prepared and served the dinner, as well as to all who attended the 4:30 p.m. Mass.

I know the changes of Mass times will be hard on many within our Parish community. However, we need to face the reality of the shortage of priests and the implications it will have upon parishes. Next week, I will make the announcement concerning the times of the weekend Masses. The new schedule will be effective the first weekend of October.

Celebrating San Lorenzo

Today, the Filipino-American community at St. Robert’s has prepared a celebration of San Lorenzo Ruiz, martyr, and the first Filipino saint. It’s good for the entire parish to celebrate with them and to honor San Lorenzo, who is a saint not only for Filipinos, but for the entire Church! Following is the story of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila:

Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila, Philippines, about 1600, of a Chinese father and Filipino mother.

As an adult, Lorenzo Ruiz joined and became a full pledged member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. He married and had a daughter and two sons.

In 1636, he joined a group of four Dominican priests and one Japanese layman who were sailing to preach the Gospel in Japan where Christianity was forbidden and christians were being persecuted. Soon after landing in Okinawa, Lorenzo and his companions were arrested.

He was tortured along with the rest of his companions. During his imprisonment, he was offered to choose between freedom and death. As he was asked to abandon his faith, he courageously faced the judges and answered, "That I will never do, because I am a Christian. I shall die for God and had I many thousands of lives I would offer them for God."

On September 27, 1637 he was hung from a gallow by his feet. After two days of agony and suffering, he died.

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Robert Bacci, Bastiaan Blumenthal, 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, Henry Fosson, Fred Gaedeke, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Abelardo Landin, Josephine Lavoie, Greg Lille, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Jeanne McHugh, Terry McLeod, Josefina Mercado, Sal Milizio, Catherine Murtagh, Louis Ricardo, Doris Ross, Pauline Speranza, Kari Stellino, William Wegman and Don Vickery.

OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 19th
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.,
Convent Chapel

For adults interested in receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and/or First Eucharist. This is also a reunion for those who have already completed the process!

Plans are being made for this year’s annual parish festival:

"Under Construction"

which will be on September 27th, 28th and 29th, 2002, and, as always, the Barbecue and Food Booths are in need of your help. Several people are needed to work in these two very popular booths and everyone from the parish is welcome to help. Most shifts are for two hours, but you can work for as many hours as you would like and on all three days if you wish.

This year’s menu will include those all time favorites: delicious barbecued tri-tip steak sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, polish sausages, Domino’s Pizza, nachos, soft drinks, candy and much more.

If you can help in any way, please contact Louise and Ray Downs.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

We have over 25 food and game booths that need to be manned. The schedule is 2 hour slots at a time. It’s a fun event for the entire family! Please call Mars Cadiz for more info or to sign-up!

FESTIVAL RAFFLE NEWS!!!

The Grand Prize in the Festival Raffle is $2,000 cash! A total of $5,000 will be awarded! So watch your mailbox and return your tickets right away to be in the running for the "Early Bird" drawing, which will be held Sunday, Sept. 15th.

FESTIVAL T-SHIRTS

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Sister Helen Murphy, BVM
who died recently.

Monday, September 16th
1:45 - 2:45 pm, Festival Meeting.....Hall
6:30 - 9 pm, Festival Band Practice.....Hall

Tuesday, September 17th
3:30 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall/Church
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary....Library
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth Group.....Kitchen
7:30 - 9pm, 5:30 Mass Choir Practice......Church

Wednesday, September 18th
3:30 - 9 pm, Grownup’s.....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, 10:30 Choir Practice....Church
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study..... Convent Chapel

Thursday, September 19th
3:30 - 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall/Church
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7 - 9 pm, Festival Band Practice.....Hall
7:30 - 9:30 pm, Festival Meeting.....Library
7:30 pm, School Board Mtg....6th Gr. Classroom

Friday, September 20th
9:30 - 11 am, Bible Study.....Convent Chapel
2 - 11 pm, Teen Dance Set-Up.....Hall

Saturday, September 21st
2 - 11 pm, Festival Teen Dance.....Hall

We welcome you into our Parish!

Matthew & Yvette Heinze & Family
John & Denise Thompson & Family

If you’re new to St. Robert’s, we ask that you complete a registration form (found in the vestibule of the church). Drop it either in the collection basket, the mail, or at the parish office. We will send you a New Parishioner Packet with information about the parish, its organizations and groups.

The following parishioners have recently left St. Robert’s:

Mr. Valerino Wijaya
Mr. & Mrs. Jorge Urzua
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Douglas
Mr. & Mrs. Carlos DeLeon
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rodondi
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Hain
Dr. Gary Nazareno
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Faye
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Joyce-Temecula, California
Mr. and Mrs. David Paton-New Mexico

Thanks to everyone using the Albertson Community Card. If you shop there and need a card please call Linda Cuddy.

DIVORCE RECOVERY PROGRAM