Dear Parishioners,

October is the month that Holy Mother Church dedicates to both the Rosary and Respect Life....life from conception in our mother's womb to our bodily death and burial to our eternal life in heaven. There is no better way to reflect on life in all its wonders than to reflect and meditate on the twenty (20) mysteries of the Rosary. While meditating on and praying the Joyful, the Luminous, the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries we are actually walking with our Savior and His Blessed Mother and contemplating our own life's journey. As parishioners of Saint Robert's we are all on different stages of this journey. The Annunciation is our starting point of the Rosary and correlates with conception of God's gift of a new human life in the womb of the mother. As we journey through the infancy and early childhood (Joyful) mysteries of Jesus and Mary's life, we respect the life our young children, our "Little Church" members, our "Middle Church" members, our Catholic School and CCD students. We encourage them to enjoy life and appreciate the beauty of all God's creation. The Luminous mysteries take us with Mary through the adulthood years of Jesus. We appreciate the work of our youth ministries and pray our youth, young adults, RCIA members, "InBetweeners" and all other adult groups in our parish. We pray, also for all those who are still searching for the gift of Faith. The Sorrowful Mysteries remind us that life on this earth is riddled with sufferings and loses and that no one is exempt from sorrow and pain. We pray especially for our "Grown-ups", our sick and Homebound while mediating on these mysteries. Suffering children and adults are very special to Jesus and to His Blessed Mother. Like Jesus and Mary we will suffer and die, but we will rise again to perfect happiness in heaven (Glorious Mysteries). Life is gift and a mystery and must be respected and cherished from conception to our entry into heaven with Mary and the Saints. God bless all of you as you continue to your journey to Heaven. "When evening of life comes you will be examined in love" (St. John of the Cross).

There are a growing number of Christians who are referred to as FUNDAMENTALISTS. Catholics, all too often, do not know how to respond to them. For the next few weeks, we will present a few answers to some of the FUNDAMENTALISTS questions. The questions and answers come from Philip St. Roman's pamphlet: "Catholic Answers to Fundamentalists' Questions," Liguori Press.

Question-What exactly do you mean by sacred Tradition?

Most of the New Testament could be called early Church tradition set down in writing. The importance of Church traditions is emphasized by Saint Paul: "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Sacred Tradition is the process which "hands on in its full purity God's word, which was entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit." (The Documents of Vatican II Revelation, 9) The idea of sacred Tradition embraces both the handing-on process and its products (the various forms and ways in which God's Word is handed on). Examples of basic forms of Tradition are the Bible (viewed as a tangible tool used in handing on God's Word), the Apostles' Creed, and the basic forms of Christian worship. (Forms which are not basic to sacred Tradition are sometimes called "traditions," with a small "t," to distinguish them from basic Tradition, with a capital "T").

Some products of sacred Tradition are developments reflected in Scripture; for example, the doctrine of papal infallibility is alluded to in Scripture -see Luke 22:32—and was later developed as the central role of the bishop of Rome evolved.

Life has an inviolable value and unrepeatable dignity, especially because...every person is called to share in God's life

Calling all Catholic teens! The SF Archdiocese is celebrating its 150th anniversary and they're inviting you to join in the celebration. Saturday, October 25th is the day to save on your calendar. Faith Factor is an all-day event designed to allow teens to share their faith, ideas for the future, and fun in the presence of one another. Nationally recognized Michael Pritchard, comedian, actor, youth activist and counselor, and former California Probation Officer of the Year (all rolled into one) will entertain as the featured speaker. Workshops in both English and Spanish will be available, as well as music, Mass and much more! Students should contact their parish Youth Minister to sign up; every teen must be in a group or accompanied by an adult. Space is limited so guarantee yourself a space by signing up early! Cost is $25 and includes lunch and a t-shirt.

All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls are invited to Mercy High School Burlingame's Student Open House which will be held on Monday, October 20, 2003. This Open House will run from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Dear Parishioners,

"The human person is central, the clearest reflection of God among us". (U.S. Catholic Bishops). What can we do to affirm the goodness of God's creation? We can treat all people with reverence; nurture and care for the sick, the dying and those afflicted by poverty or spiritual despair. We can work for laws and policies to relieve the economic burdens that pressure some women to obtain abortions. We can help to change attitudes that accept abortion as a solution to individual and social problems. We can pray that our nation will avoid deadly violence, promoting solutions to human problems that respect human life and dignity. We can help those in need.

Congratulations!
High Roller Raffle Winners

1st prize $2,000-Bob and Barbara Balestieri
2nd prize $1,000-Lori DeMartini
3rd prize $500-Jaine Deovlet
4th prize $500-Mike Ahern
5th prize $500-Anne Buelow

Congratulations!
Festival Raffle Winners

Many problems darken the horizon of our time. We need but think of the urgent need to work for peace, to base relationships between peoples on solid premises of justice and solidarity, and to defend human life from conception to its natural end. And what should we say of the thousand inconsistencies of a "globalized" world where the weakest, the most powerless and poorest appear to have so little hope! It is in this world that Christian hope must shine forth! For this reason too, the Lord wished to remain with us in the Eucharist, making his presence in meal and sacrifice the promise of a humanity renewed by his love.