T.V. and Radio keep telling us that there are only so many shopping days left before Christmas. The commercial world is getting its message across very well. How about us. What message are we getting across? Is the true message of Christmas forgotten? Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season. Let’s not forget that.

Advent helps us to remember and prepare. The prophet Isaiah tells us how to do so. "In the desert prepare the way of the Lord". Lest anyone should begin to pack for a trip to the Sahara, let’s understand what "desert" means. It is closer than we think. It is that quiet place within each of us where we can get away from the unnecessary hustle and bustle of life and spend some time with the Lord. There He will speak to us and tell us how we need to prepare. Just listen to Him! There are two more weeks of Advent left. Don’t waste them.

People who study religious rituals and religious communities are a mixed blessing to the rituals and communities themselves. To a degree, they have to stand outside the community to do their study. In one sense, they help the community stay true to their beliefs, values, and history. In another sense, they run the risk of being out of touch with some of the very important interpersonal and spiritual dynamics that make rituals work for each community.

As we look at our own practice of liturgy and we prepare to make some adjustments, it helps us to stand back a little and look at some of our history and principles which instruct us about how the whole Church sees itself in liturgy. For example, we all know that the Church celebrates seven Sacraments. But, do we realize that the Church itself is a sacrament? We, as a community of believers, are an outward sign to the world of the grace and presence of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself was a sacrament of the Unseen God!

We pray for the ill: Regina Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Robert Bacci, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Maricris Candelaria, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Zenaida Cortez, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Carl Edwards, Joyce Flax, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Fred Gaedeke, Jesse Grube, Gladys Haff, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Abelardo Landin, Shirley Latham, Josephine Lavoie, Greg Lille, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Terry McLeod, Josefina Mercado, Sal Milizio, Catherine Murtagh, Thomas O’Brien, Louis Ricardo, Bill Reilly, Doris Ross, Pauline Speranza, Don Vickery, William Wegman, Jennifer Westbrook & Frank Wright.

Communal Celebrations of
The Sacrament of Reconciliation

All are invited to come together as a parish family, our worshipping community, to celebrate God’s forgiveness and reconciliation and peace

Please see the magazine rack in the vestibule of church for a list of courses to be offered by the Archdiocesan School of Pastoral Leadership beginning in January. Tuition assistance is available from the parish for some courses.

The Adult Choir singing at the 9:30 Mass is seeking those interested in raising voices in praise. We are rehearsing music for Christmas and would love to invite new members to help make it truly joyous! Rehearsals are on Wednesday from 7:00-9:00PM and we gather at 9:00 AM on Sunday to warm-up.

Once again this Christmas Season, we as a parish family, will have an ADOPT-A -FAMILY GIVING TREE. There are many people in San Mateo County who don’t have the means to celebrate Christmas as they might like. At the same time, many in our parish can celebrate with their families and share with those in need. An ADOPT-A-FAMILY program is a way to do this.

This weekend - November 30th & December 1st and next weekend December 7th and 8th we will have a "Giving Tree" set up in front of church after all of the Masses. This tree will be "decorated" with paper ornaments containing a profile of a family you might be able to help.

If you have the means to share your Christmas spirit, stop by after any one of the Masses on either of these weekends and pick an ornament. Gifts will be collected after Masses the weekend of December 14th and 15th for distribution the week of the 16th.

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 December 11th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

Please visit the Child’s Liturgy-Giving Tree in the vestibule of the church. Help yourself to one of our tree decorations with a gift suggestion or bring any gift you wish. Please place the unwrapped gifts into the box at the tree. The last day for bringing gifts will be Sunday, December 22nd.

This is our 11th year of sponsoring the "Giving Tree" and over the years the needs of the community have changed. We still need toys. The agencies we serve have requested some adult items such as: underwear, socks and hygiene items. All the donations will go to the following groups:

• ACRA-in San Mateo, which helps children and adults infected or affected by aids. They receive toys and adult clothing.

• San Bruno Catholic Worker-all gift certificates and adult clothing.

• Samaritan House-toys and clothing.

• Other outreach groups of St. Robert’s-toys

Once again thank you for your generosity and your help in celebrating the joys of giving to others this Christmas

Performances will be:

December 11th at 7:30 p.m
at St. Paul Church
29th and Church
San Francisco

December 13th at 7:30 p.m.
at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
3 Oakdale
Mill Valley

December 22nd at 4:00 p.m.
at St. Catherine of Siena Church
1310 Bayswater Ave.
Burlingame

Kindergarten Application

Applications for St. Robert School Kindergarten for the 2003/2004 school year will be accepted in the School Office Monday-Friday, January 6th through the 10th, between 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 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 or St. Bruno’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, 2003. 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.

Open House

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14TH

An Annual Women’s Guild event for the children of the Parish. Children are invited to meet Santa and have a memorable morning.

Enjoy a continental breakfast, raffle prizes and the spirit of Christmas. Watch Santa arrive and present each child with a gift. There will also be a "Children’s gift shop" for the children to shop and buy gifts for family and friends. All gifts are inexpensive and will be wrapped and tagged for easy gift giving.

Kristina Ruiz
Joseph &Josephine Magee & Family
Nick & Shannon Paras & Family