St. Robert's Catholic Church Bulletin, November 16, 2003

St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
November 16, 2003
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners:

During the month of November the Church invites us to pray for all those who have gone before us with the sign of faith: our dear departed family members, friends and parishioners. May they rest in peace. Two weeks from now we will celebrate our national holiday, Thanksgiving Day. The occasion invites and challenges us to reflect on and give thanks to God for the many ways that we are blessed in our families and as a nation.

November also is a special month for us Sisters of the Presentation. Our Congregational Feast, Presentation Day, occurs every year on November 21st. In preparation for the occasion, we unite in spirit and in prayer with our sisters worldwide in a special Novena beginning November 12th through the 20th. The novena invites us to reflect on the life and legacy of our Foundress, Nano Nagle, and her unselfish response to the needs of the poor.

Since it is traditional in our congregation to renew our vows on the Feast of the Presentation, we will do so today, November 15th, at the 4:30 pm Liturgy. This gives the parish community an opportunity to share in the ceremony by your presence and your prayers. Our sisters have ministered at St. Robert's Parish for 33 years. We are truly grateful for the many ways you have supported us through the years, especially by your prayers and the witness of your faith lives.

Thank you,
Sister Mary

RENEWAL OF VOWS

At the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, our Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary renewed their vows. They are an inspiration to all who know them. The love of Jesus is reflected within each of them. Thank you, Sisters, for sharing your lives and your love with us.

PRESIDENT SIGNS PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN ACT

To the thousands of Catholics throughout our Archdiocese and across the nation:

THANK YOU! We thank you for the letters, phone calls, postcards and prayers that you have tirelessly extended over the past 8 years concerning the sanctity of life in our country. History has been made! This marks the first federal restriction of an abortion procedure in 30 years. Thanks to your efforts, we've moved our nation closer to a culture of life.

God Bless You,
The Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns for the San Francisco Archdiocese.

Monday - November 17 Readings: 1 Mc 1:10-15 Lk 18:35-43
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	In Thanksgiving All Souls †
7th Gr. Cheerleading	1:30p	Hall
Tuesday - November 18 Readings: 2 Mc 6:18-31 Lk 19:1-10
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	All Souls † Leo Pieretti †
Religious Education Legion of Mary Choir Practice Readers	3:30p 6:30p 7:00p 7:00p	Hall/Church Library Church Convent Chapel
Wednesday - November 19 Readings: 2 Mc 7:1,20-31 Lk 19:11-28
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	All Souls † Carol San Filippo †
Religious Education Teens Choir Practice Bible Study	6:30p 7:00p 7:00p 7:30p	6th Gr. Classroom Hall Church Convent Chapel
Thursday - November 20 Readings: 1 Mc 2:15-29 Lk 19:41-44
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	All Souls † Thomas Daly †
Religious Education Parish Council School Board Mtg. RCIA	3:30p 7:30p 7:30p 7:00p	Church/Hall Mahoney Room 6th Gr. Classroom Convent Chapel
Friday - November 21 Readings: 1 Mc 4:36-37 Lk 19:45-48
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	All Souls † Deceased Members of Legion †
8th Gr. Cheerleading	3:00p	Hall
Saturday - November 22 Readings: 1 Mc 6:1-13 Lk 20:27-40
Mass Intention	8:30 4:30	All Souls † Alice Perry †
Wreath Making 1957 Class Reunion	9:00a 4-11p	Hall Hall
Sunday - November 23 Readings: Dn 7:13-14 Rv 1:5-8 Jn 18:33b-37
Mass Intention	7:30 9:30 11:30 5:00	All Souls † Giuseppe Pignati † Patricia Soriano † People of St. Robert's
Fil/Am Choir Practice Anointing of the Sick Youth Group	10:00a 11:30a Mass 3:00p	Hall Church Mahoney Room

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

Genesis Prehistory - Dec. 6th
Searching our Religious Roots
Bible Forum for Men/ Women
Fr. Joseph J. Fice, S.J.

"Come Lord Jesus" - Dec. 10th
Advent day of Recollection for Men/Women
Fr. Gerald P. McCourt, S.J.

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

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

A WOMEN'S RETREAT DAY
for
ALL ST. ROBERT'S WOMEN

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

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

Come have some quiet time for yourself, get in touch with God again, and rediscover your priorities. All St. Robert's women are invited to this special day to share with others, let nature refresh you, and enjoy a delicious lunch which you didn't have to make! If you already know that you can participate in this retreat day or help plan the day, please call Sr. Sheral at 589-2800 or Donna McGuigan.

JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Junipero Serra High School will be holding its Annual Open House Program for elementary school students, parents, and friends on Thursday, December 4th, at 7:00 p.m. Applications for next falls' freshman class are currently available by contacting the school at (650) 345-8207. Junipero Serra is located in San Mateo.

HELP WANTED

Part time relief staff position: The St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Mateo County is seeking a wise and compassionate person to walk with women who have been released from jail or prison. SVdP's Catherine's Center is a six to twelve month residential program that provides support to women who need help with their transition to society. Those who journey with these women will have the opportunity to grow spiritually and to be a part of a caring community. The relief position is once a week on Sundays. If you are interested, please call Lizette Limat (650) 246-1520 or email svdpcatherine@yahoo.com

Music practice is on Tuesday Nov. 18th from 7-9 p.m.
Teen Mass and Social Nov. 30th at 5:00 p.m.

As a Parish Community, We Pray...for our Sisters of the Presentation. They have set Christ ever before them and have followed His path to life. May their hearts be glad and their souls rejoice.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Michael Anthony Facciano & Kayla Renee Castro

SICK RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Gabrielle Ausiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Robert Bacci, Genaro Badiable, Lito Badiable, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Maricris Candelaria, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Zenaida Cortez, Ana Cosgaya, Anna DeLucchi, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Carl Edwards, Joyce Flax, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Jesse Grube, Denise Hawald, Dominique Hauscarriague,Jr, Viko Ivancich, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Sisilia Langi, Shirley Latham, Josephine Lavoie, Greg Lille, Marky, Michael Martinez, Kathryn McCann, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Terry McLeod, James Morrisey, Thomas O'Brien, Lara Pinten, Jason Pimentel, James Piazza, Louis Ricardo, Bill Reilly, Doris Ross, Mary Shick, Pauline Speranza, Ron Stern, Justo Tan, Joan Thomsen, Mafi Tukumoatu, Gene VanSlett, Don Vickery, Jennifer Westbrook & Frank Wright.

Dear Parishioners,
Please notify the priesthouse (589-2800) if a loved one is either sick or in the hospital and would like to be visited.
-The Parish Priests and Staff

St. Robert School is hosting a Kindergarten information meeting and open house on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and December 2nd through 4th from 10:15 am to 11:15 am. All parents of perspective Kindergarten students are welcome to attend. Please call the school office to place your reservation, (650) 583-5065.

Registration for Kindergarten for the 2004-2005 school year will take place January 7-14, 2004. Our annual Open House will take place on January 12, 2004 at 7:00 pm.

We are looking for someone to help with the layout of our new school brochure. All photos and words are compiled. We just need help setting up the color graphics. If you have access and experience with QuarkXpress, please contact Maureen Wallace.

by Sister Sheral

Facing Death
I remember hearing today's readings as a child and being somewhat frightened by the images used in the gospel. As adults, we may also hear these words as dark and foreboding since they speak of the end of the world. But what if we see these passages as reminders that if we are trying to live as Jesus, we have nothing to fear. We might recall the words of a psalm we've sung at the 5 pm Mass. "Loving and forgiving are you, O Lord; slow to anger, rich in kindness, loving and forgiving are you." Do we really believe that? The time of my own personal death is actually the end of the world for me. If I knew that I had 24 hours to live, how would I spend it? Who would I want to visit with? Is there anyone with whom I need to be reconciled? How long has it been since I've told family members or good friends that I love them? What kind of conversation would I have with God? As North Americans we so easily shy away from the topic of death; it has become the one subject forbidden to discuss. Yet our ignoring it (running from it won't take away its reality.

Anointing of the Sick
Next weekend at the 11:30 Mass, we'll pray for all the sick among us as the priest anoints each one. The Oil of the Sick is honored with the Oil of Catechumens (used in baptism) and the Oil of Chrism (used in confirmation) in the lit case to the right of the altar. Sickness, too, is a reminder of our frailty, of our need for community. If you're not chronically or seriously ill yourself, please come ready to support those members of our faith community who are. If you know someone who would appreciate being anointed, please invite him or her and offer the person a ride. Thank you.

Blankets, Please!
If you forgot to bring a blanket for the homeless folks who frequent the Catholic Worker House, please bring it to the rectory tomorrow. We'd like to deliver them Tuesday.

Advent Wreath Makers
This Saturday, the 22nd, we'll rendezvous in Hennessy Hall at 9 am to make our wreaths. All you need to bring is your clippers and $5 if you haven't already made your donation.

CONSOLATION MINISTRY

Our Lady of Angels is offering a very worth while workshop on November 17th at 7:30 p.m (in OLA'S lower hall) entitled coping with Grief during the Holidays.

THANKSGIVING DAY FOOD BASKETS

In this season of thanksgiving to God, our Creator, Who has blessed us with such abundance, we bring to your attention the food baskets that are on the Altar steps. Please bring NON-PERISHABLE food to help our sisters and brothers who find it difficult to get by because of poverty, illness or job loss.

Listed our a few of the food stuffs that we are running low on: jams and jellies, canned vegetables, cereal and oatmeal, marinara sauce, juices, packaged cookies, gum, mayonnaise and other condiments, and canned chicken. Cereals are in high demand. Non perishable food can be left in the vestibule of the church.

We are also collecting Gift Certificates and Scrip for MOLLY STONE, ALBERTSON'S, LUNARDI'S, and SAFEWAY- in lieu of frozen turkeys. You may make out certificates to Saint Vincent de Paul and either mail them or drop them in the rectory mailbox.

Thanksgiving food and certificates will be given out on Saturday, November, 22nd. As always we thank you for your continued generosity and support.

MEALS ON WHEELS CLIENTS NEEDED

Meals on Wheels plays a vital role in the lives of seniors througout San Mateo County. Are you over sixty, live alone, cannot cook, recuperating from a stay in the hospital, let us help you. We encourage you to call Catholic Charities CYO Meals on Wheels at (650) 295-2173.

Academic Terrorist

Recently a retired high school teacher was nabbed in possession of a slide rule, compasses and a protractor. It is obvious that he is a member of the Al Gebra movement because he carries these weapons of math instruction.

ST. ROBERT'S READERS

November's book is "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham. This is a fun book as the holidays approach. It is a story about a couple that try to avoid the hubbub of Christmas by going on a cruise. It is a humorous look at the craziness of Christmas. Our next meeting is November 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Convent Chapel. Everyone is welcome. Please call Colleen Soracco, club moderator, with any questions or comments.

ST. ROBERT'S SCHOOL GRADUATES FROM 1957 REUNION

There will be a party/reunion of the St. Bruno's/St. Robert's Class of 1957 on Saturday night, November 22nd in Hennessy Hall. The evening will honor Guy Brennan who through the years played such an important role in the community. All classmates and their spouses plus all others who have known Guy are invited to attend. Please call Marillee Klyne Rissetto for more information and to make a reservation for this event. She can also be contacted at marileeriz@aol.com

COMING IN DECEMBER

Mens Club Crab Cioppino
December 5th

Grownups Christmas Party
December 6th

InBetweeners Christmas Party
December 12th

Women's Guild Breakfast with Santa
December 13th

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

St Robert's Women's Guild
presents the Annual Dinner Dance

"Carnevale-A Night in Venice"
March 6, 2004