Dear Parishioners,

The Annual Appeal of the Archdiocese is important for the many ministries that are funded through our generosity. They range from Religious Education to help for Seminarians, from ministry to people in hospitals and to those in prison. Our Parish is called upon to help because we are part of the Archdiocese and the many programs the Annual Appeal helps are ministries we cannot supply on the local level. I would ask you to join me in helping in any way you can.

Saturday, January 25th, was a busy day in our Parish. I want to thank the members of our Parish Council and the leaders of our Parish organizations who met that morning to discuss our Parish Mission Statement and the goals for the coming year. Thank you to Pat Vallez-Kelly and the others who prepared for Commissioning of Parish Liturgical Ministers at the 4:30 Mass and the reception that followed. It says a great deal about our Parish when we can say that over two hundred people are active in Liturgical ministries. Thank you also to Sister Mary O'Donnell, along with her Confirmation team, who organized a Retreat that day at Mount Alverno Center for the 62 young men and women who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on April 26th. The very same day men from the Parish were helping prepare with the drainage in the upper yard and the many coaches who were at games with their basketball teams. Quite a day!

The past weeks have been ones of Liturgical change for our Parish. My hope is that these changes will make us all more conscious of the Presence of Jesus in our midst at Mass. A greater sense of reverence in Church will help all of us in giving thanks to God and make us more conscious that we are a community of Faith.

Our Presentation Education Center should be completed by the first week of March. We hope that it will be in use shortly thereafter. Thank you for making it possible. Please make your pledge payments so that we will be able to pay all the bills and begin to pay off the debt.

Thank you to those who "made donations" on Superbowl Sunday. Needed repairs in the convent will benefit from your help.

Dear Parishioners,Please notify the priesthouse (589-2800) if a loved one is in the hospital.

The Adult Choir singing at the 9:30 Mass is seeking those interested in raising voices in praise. Rehearsals are on Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 PM and we gather at 9:00 AM on Sunday to warm-up.

Albertson Community Card. If you shop there and need a card please call Linda Cuddy.

Please join us for an evening of great food & great fun!

Monday, February 10th - 6 pm - $13 per person

say, "I must love Him as myself."

This is the kind of love that Jesus taught: A love that transforms vivifies, enriches brings peace.

Fear and Faith

"Fear arises when we believe we will not be strong enough to handle the pain we will be given."

Wayne Muller from Legacy of the Heart.

Mondays can be hard. I've read reports that say more heart attacks happen early on Monday mornings than any other time of the week. I think that's because of fear - fear that we will not be strong enough to handle the challenges that we face in the work ahead of us - whether that work is out of the house or at home, for pay or simply the work involved in living our life.

It doesn't pay to ignore fear; it's better to replace it. Usually I can't replace my fear with certainty - there are just too many unknowns in life. Rather, I try to replace my fear with faith - not that the things I fear will not happen, nor that if I pray really, really hard God will make the bad things go away; but that underneath it all, my core identity as a beloved child of God is unalterable, no matter what comes my way. And from the position of strength, I can find the courage and the resources and the strength to respond to those particular challenges that will come my way today.

Faith and fear have a hard time co-existing in the same place at the same time.

MERCY CENTER
2300 Adeline Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010-5599
(650) 340-7474

Meditation Intensive Weekend - Feb. 14-16
Thomas Hand, S.J.

Re-entering the cave of the heart: - Feb. 22 & 23rd 11:00-5pm
A weekend intensive 

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

"When Did We See You Hungry or Homeless or Oppressed - Feb. 14-16
Retreat for social justice
Bernard J. Bush, S.J.

This Special Time of Our Lives - March 14-16
Silent Lenten Retereat for Women
Fr. Thomas Weston, S.J.

HOW TO PRAY: Petition, Thanksgiving, Praise-Service - March 21-23
Retreat on Prayer
Jerry MCourt, S.J. and William J. Rewak, S.J.

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

Married Couples Retreat - Feb. 14-16
Carol Kaplan, MFT & Barry Brunsman, OFM

Day of Dialogue - Feb. 16
Victoria S. MacDonald, MA

The Way of the Body - Feb. 28-March 2
Mary Ann Finch, MA, CMT

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 February 12th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

While out-of-town you can check for nationwide Mass times and locations at (1-800-627-7846) or Internet at www.Masstimes.org.

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 of 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.