THANK YOU! I want to take a moment to thank all of you for embracing me in the parish and for making me feel so welcome. During this month of gratitude, I will be offering many prayers of thanksgiving for to the people of our parish. Saint Robert's is a very special place, filled with love and a family atmosphere, as evidenced by such great events as the Festival and Picnic. Both those events exemplified the spirit of Saint Robert's and the fun that can be had here. It is my honor to work at a place, where it never feels like a job.

The Teen Club and Youth Masses are both going very well. The Inaugural Youth Mass, held on October 19th, was a huge success. A pizza social followed the Mass in San Bruno Park and was attended by forty teens. I am very grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make both events so memorable and enjoyable. We will continue the Youth Mass every first and third Sunday at 5:00 p.m., followed by a Social event. Tonight and on November 16th the social will be held in San Bruno Park. Teen Club continues to meet four times a month. During those meetings we do general business, community service, and crafting. I invite and encourage all Teens to join us.

We are in need of some Adults to join the Core Team. Core team meets once or twice a month depending on people's schedules and availability. We meet to evaluate and plan the Youth Masses and Socials as well as plan Teen Club events. If you are interested, please let me know.

Finally, today is All Soul's Day. Today should not be a day of sadness, but one of joy. We should set aside the month of November to remember our deceased family and friends. They should be remembered with smiles and memories of happiness and great times shared together. The joy of Easter and the promise of Eternal Life should be very prominent this month as we commemorate our beloved dead. I believe they are our Guardian Angels, looking down, smiling, and protecting us. Live this month, filled with gratitude for all you have and remembering those who have less. May your actions be a celebration of all the good Lord has given you.

A NOTE FROM FATHER RING

Dear Parishioners,

Our first session of computer classes for adults was just completed. An average of twenty-five people attended each of the six classes. All owe special thanks to Patrick McHale, Henry Mar, Ann Buelow, Peter Topper and Sister Patricia O'Sullivan who acted as teachers and tutors. They were superb. Watch for announcements of a new class to begin in January. All who participated are grateful to the parishioners whose contributions made possible the building of the computer room. Sincerely-Father Ring

PRAYERS ANSWERED

The Processional Cross that was stolen at Easter has been found hidden above the staircase to the choir loft.

VALLOMBROSA CENTER
250 Oak Grove Ave.
Menlo Park, Ca 94025-3218
(650) 325-5614
www.vallombrosa.org

Wisdom for the ages - Dec. 31, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2004
A New Years Eve Retreat
Patrick Collins

EL RETIRO
300 Manresa Way
Los Altos, Ca 94022-4646
(650) 948-4491
www.elretiro.org

Becoming "A Living Sacrifice of Praise" - Nov. 14-16
Sr. Ann Rooney and the Jesuit Institute for Family Life Staff

The Gift of Marriage - Nov. 7-9
Retreat for Married Couples
Sr. Ann Rooney

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

Looking Forward in Hope - Nov 14-16
Mens Retreat
Gavin Griffith, OFM

Embodying the Goodness of God - Nov. 21-23
Suzanne Toolan, RSM
Marguerite Buchanan

"Come away to some lonely place by yourselves and rest awhile." (Mark 6.31)

Saturday, February 21st, 2004
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Mount Alverno Conference Center in Redwood City

Dear Parishioners,

Psalm 23, which we hear today, is beloved by so many because of its comforting message and strong affirmation that even when things are at their very worst, we know that God is with us. "Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life" we proclaim in this psalm. I'd like to suggest one small way in which we can spread some of God's goodness and kindness. The kinds of Christmas gifts we buy for young ones – our children and grandchildren, our best friends' children – can actually help bring goodness and kindness into their lives. There is a flier at the church entrances entitled, "Choose Toys to Promote Peace" which reminds us that the sale of violent war toys rose 700% between 1982 and the mid-1990's. The flier suggests that we choose gifts which promote creative, constructive, cooperative play.

Mr. Rogers, of children's program fame, says that a fascinating aspect of gun-play for children is that it extends their area of control. For little children, the extent to which their arms extend is the extent to which they have control over their environment. A gun in their hand extends that control, but Mr. Rogers suggests that a flashlight accomplishes the same purpose and extends the control pretty far. Using tools, extending ropes, building their own play spaces, etc. also provides them with a strong sense of control over their immediate environment. Our choices can be one small, but important step towards diminishing the violence in our world.

Advent Wreath Sign-ups Today
You need to sign up TODAY so that we can order the appropriate amount of materials! We'll gather Saturday, November 22 from 9 am to 11 am in our parish hall.

For a $5 donation, we'll supply a wire form, some oasis, 4 candles and lots of boughs so that we can make Advent wreaths. An Advent wreath will help you and your household to mark these important weeks of preparation for Christmas with a simple prayer and the weekly (or daily) lighting of your wreath. We'll also talk a bit about the meaning of Advent as we work. Please look for Sr. Sheral after Mass if you have any questions.

Advent Scripture Groups
If you'd like to reflect on the readings of this special season of the Church's year, you're invited to be part of a small group which will meet once a week for three weeks during Advent and once after Christmas. Each person will have a booklet to guide your reflection and guide the conversation when you gather. You may sign up this weekend or next. Again, please see Sr. Sheral if you have questions or call her at the rectory.

Because of the economy, our St. Robert's chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society has found itself with many more mouths to feed and people in need of general assistance.

This weekend please bring your Clean Men's Clothing including jackets, coats, pants, shirts, shoes and sweaters to the Reconciliation Room after the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday or between Masses on Sunday. There will also be a special pickup at the Men's Club meeting on Monday, November 3rd. Please no uniforms and remove all company logos to avoid against corporate misrepresentation and identity theft. Thank you!

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

Graduates from the St. Robert School Class of 1957 will be holding a Reunion on Saturday, November 22nd at 6:30 p.m in Hennessy Hall.

Contact Rich St. Clair (rstclair8@aol.com) and/or Marilee Rizzetto (marileriz@aol.com) or Robin McCarthy c/o St. Roberts School (alumni@SaintRoberts.org) for more details.