Change is hard for all of us and, I believe, change within the Church is even harder. However, at times, change is necessary. To get to the point, it is time for us to change the Sunday Mass schedule. Our new schedule calls for Masses at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, and at 5 pm on Sunday evening.

The reasons for the changes are several:

1. We have one fewer priest -- when Fr. Morris and Fr. Taheny were moved to other parishes, the Archdiocese was able to assign us only one replacement.

2. It is difficult to find a "Sunday-supply" priest. The number of priests in teaching and other non-parish ministries has declined. As a result, it is almost impossible to obtain a priest to help on Sunday or for vacations/sickness.

3. According to Church law, unless there is a major pastoral need, a priest is not to celebrate more than two Masses on any day.

4. An important part of Catholic worship is the formation of a sense of family, often referred to as "community." At all our Masses, we need time to gather, time to greet each other, and time to prepare our music. During the Mass, we need time for silence, as well as spoken and sung prayer. After Mass, we need time to talk and to plan the week with one another. Therefore, it is imperative that Masses be scheduled far enough apart so that we can do the things listed, but also so that we can clear the parking lot for the next Mass.

Thank you to all who shared their opinions at meetings, by letter or by phone. I appreciate your help and know that you understand how difficult it was to make the decision.

THE NEW SCHEDULE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON THE WEEKEND OF OCT. 5th AND 6TH.

Please make a note of it so that we can make the change with as little mix-up as possible.

...my thoughts are not your thoughts—
nor are my ways your ways, says the Lord...

(Isaiah 55:18)

I am always amazed when I hear the portion of Matthew’s Gospel which the Church sets before us this weekend. It is a story of God’s generosity —- a graciousness exceeding our ability to imagine it.

The Reign of God is like the case of the owner of an estate who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard...

We all know this story by heart —- we have heard it each time it occurs in the lectionary cycle, perhaps we marvel at the inequality of it all. We sympathize with the laborer who has worked a full day, and receives the same wage as the one hired late in the day. "How unfair!" Of course we identify with the one who has worked all day long, never thinking for a moment that perhaps we might be more like the late-comer.

Sometimes we assume God "owes us" —- we who have worked so hard, done so much for God. Surely we deserve more than the "merely average disciple’ —- we have, without a doubt, merited an extra allotment of divine recompense.

As often happens, we miss the point of the story. This is not a parable about what is owed to the deserving disciple, but rather about the gracious Master. The Lord Jesus gifts us with himself —- Jesus the Lord, God’s self-revelation of grace and life, withholds nothing from us.

We are gifted in ways we do not deserve, blessed with God’s life and love in abundance —- no matter how late in the day we have placed our hands to the plow. God loves us not because it is what God owes us, nor because it is what we deserve, but because GOD IS LOVE.

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Robert Bacci, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, 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, William Wegman and Don Vickery.

Our sincere sympathy to the families of

Marie DeMartini,
Cari Stellino,
Joseph C. Beviacqua &
Edith Joan Phelan

With the help of Deacon Duffey we will be having the annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of the Feast of St. Francis on Sat., Oct. 5th, at 10:30 a.m. in the church parking lot. All of God’s creatures are welcome, no matter how large or small. We will have refreshments for both man and beast.

All Boys and Girls, 7th grade and above, are invited to become altar servers at St. Robert’s Parish. If you are interested and haven’t yet filled out an applicaiton form, please call Gene or Anna May as soon as possible. Those who have received application forms are asked to fill them out and return them to the rectory immediately.

HELP WANTED-CAKE BOOTH

The ever popular CAKE BOOTH needs your help once again. In our efforts to raise funds for our Church and School, we are graciously requesting baked good contributions. Donations can include a variety of items such as cakes, cookies, brownies, or muffins. Just use your imagination!!!! Any contribution you can make will be greatly appreciated!

Home Baked Items: 2 hours per cake-2 hours per 2 dozen cookies, brownies, cupcakes, loaf cakes or breads.

Store Bought Items-1 hour per cake, 1 hour per 2 dozen cookies, brownies, donuts, cupcakes, loaf cakes or breads.

For more information call Sue Belluomini or Clare Bouey-Suen. Cake Booth donations can be dropped off on Friday, Sept. 27th from 7:40-8:15 a.m. at Hennessy Hall and again at 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. You can also drop off baked items any time during the festival. If you don’t see Sue or Clare, there will be a table set outside the girl’s bathroom for drop off as well. (Maximum hours for cake booth baking are not to exceed 10 hours).

HELP WANTED: FOOD AND GAME BOOTHS

We have over 25 food and game booths that still need manpower. Get involved and have fun at the same time—-volunteer and meet members of the parish community (minimum of 2 hours to work a booth). Call Mars Cadiz for more info or to sign-up!

HELP WANTED: FESTIVAL CLEAN UP

Clean up volunteers are need to keep the festival area clean and well-stocked during the festival. Shifts are two hours, and available throughout the festival. If you can help, please contact Caroline Johnston.

Thank you

FESTIVAL RAFFLE NEWS!!!

The Grand Prize in the Festival Raffle is $2,000 cash! A total of $5,000 will be awarded!

FESTIVAL T-SHIRTS

We welcome you into our Parish!

Gari & Emilia Freking
John & Arlene Sanford & Family
Michael Hansen
Jose & Judy Ajam & Family
Shawn & Alexis Thibault & 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 moved from St. Robert’s:

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Decker - Chico
Dr. & Mrs. Tomas Valdez - Henderson, Nevada
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Bawden - Clayton
Mrs. Marga Kline - Belmont
Mr. & Mrs. Herman Chang - San Carlos
Mr. & Mrs. Shannon Wilson - Redwood City

Monday, September 23rd
1:45 - 2:45 pm, Festival Meeting.....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Drop in Support.....Offsite
7:30 - 9 pm, Grownups.....Library

Tuesday, September 24th
3:30 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall/Church
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary....Library
7:30 - 9pm, 5:30 Mass Choir Practice......Church

Wednesday, September 25th
3:15 - 4:15 pm, Festival Meeting.....Hall
6:30 - 9 pm, Festival Band Practice....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, 10:30 Choir Practice....Church
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study..... Convent Chapel

Thursday, September 26th
3:30 - 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall/Church
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7:30 - 9 pm, Liturgy Mtg.....Mary’s Chapel

Friday, September 27th
9:30 - 11 am, Bible Study.....Convent Chapel
PARISH FESTIVAL

Saturday, September 28th
PARISH FESTIVAL

DIVORCE RECOVERY PROGRAM

Are you, or is someone you know, separated, divorced or widowed? The Divorce Recovery Course will be offered by the Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. It provides a chance to understand the emotional journey begun with the loss of a marriage and will be held Oct. 6 through Nov. 17 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 451 Eucalyptus, San Francisco on Sundays at 7:00 p.m. The cost of $45 includes book and materials. For more information, call Vonnie at (650) 873-4236 or Jeannie at (650) 592-2164.

FALL FEST 2002

A time for young adult Catholics to come together