St. Robert's Catholic Church Bulletin, November 30, 2003

St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
November 30, 2003
First Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving weekend we want to extend a special welcome to all our visitors. We hope you find St. Robert to be a place of peace, that is both prayerful and welcoming. We the staff of St. Robert wish to thank everyone for your presence and participation in our parish. Everyone helps to make our Parish the special place to witness Christ that it is.

In recent weeks we have received special thank you notes from San Bruno's Catholic Worker house, St. Vincent de Paul in both San Francisco and San Mateo counties for all your generous donations. We also received a letter from the San Mateo County General Hospital for the lunches we prepare for their aids clinic. You continue to be very generous.

We also celebrate the Church's New Year this weekend with the First Sunday of Advent. We hope that the consumer side of Christmas doesn't distract you too much. We anxiously await the coming of Christ not just in Bethlehem, or at the end of time, but also our lives now and each day. Our prayer for the new year is that we come closer to Christ and be better able to witness his presence in our lives each day.

Peace to all
Deacon Duffey

ADVENT SCRIPTURE GROUPS

The Advent groups will begin meeting as follows: the Tuesday evening group at 7 pm Dec. 2 in the convent chapel; the Wednesday group at 7:30 pm, Dec. 3 in the convent chapel; the Friday group at 9:30 am, Dec. 5 in Mary's chapel. Please see the leader of your group this weekend or come by the rectory, so you can get your booklet and prepare for the first session.

Advent Evening Prayer:
Monday, December 22nd at 7:30 pm

Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of penance
Monday, December 15th, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 20th, 3:00 p.m.

Monday - December 1 Readings: Is 2:1-5 Mt 8:5-11
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Jim Diggins † Salvatori Fazio †
7th Gr. Cheerleading Dinner Dance Mtg.	1:30p 7:00p	Hall Hall
Tuesday - December 2 Readings: Is 11:1-10 Lk 10:21-24
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Larry Greene † Lloyd Lagomarsino †
Religious Education Legion of Mary Choir Practice Faith Group	3:30p 6:30p 7:00p 7:00p	Hall/Church Library Church Mahoney Room
Wednesday - December 3 Readings: Is 25:6-10a Mt 15:29-37
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Tom Hamilton † Martin Moynihan †
Grief Group Religious Education Choir Practice Teens Evangelization Bible Study	9:00a 6:30p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:30p	Mary's Chapel 6th Gr. Classsroom Church Hall Mahoney Room Convent Chapel
Thursday - December 4 Readings: Is 26:1-6 Mt 7:21-24-27
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Jean Desaulniers † Tom Hamilton †
Religious Education RCIA Parish Planning Committee	3:30p 7:00p 7:30p	Hall/Church Convent Chapel Library
Friday - December 5 Readings: Is 19:17-24 Mt 9:27-31
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Mae Shearer † John Collins †
Men's Club (Cioppino)	6:00p	Hall
Saturday - December 6 Readings: Is 30:19-21,23,26 Mt 9:35--10,1,6-8
Mass Intention	8:30 4:30	Martin Moynihan † Abraham & Josephine Vella †
Eucharistic Adoration First Reconciliation Grownups	9:00a 9:30a & 1p 11:00a	Hall Church Hall
Sunday - December 7 Readings: Bar 5:1-9 Phil 1:4-6,8-11 Lk 3:1-6
Mass Intention	7:30 9:30 11:30 5:00	James Murphy † People of St. Robert's Loretta McNichol † Carlo Giovanni Foti †
Fil/Am Choir Practice Youth Group Confirmation Class	10:00a 3:00p 3:00p	Hall Mahoney Room Hall

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

Single Adults Reterat - Jan. 2-4
Living in Love's Embrace
Michelle L. Allier, OSF
Barry Brunsman, OFM

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.

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.

December 7th - Youth Mass at 5:00 p.m.Mass Social to follow.
December 9th - Prepare Lunches for AIDS patients, in the Hall.
1 Week until Christmas in the City - See or call Juan 255-0791 for details.
December 16th - Youth Mass Music Practice 7-9 p.m. in the church.
December 21st - Youth Mass at 5:00 p.m. Social to follow.
Christmas in the City, this Friday - See or call Juan 255-0791 for details

We welcome you into our Parish!

Jane Luke
Malvina Gauthier
Cheryl Casey
Randell & Dawne Panganiban

If you're new to St. Robert's, we ask that you complete a registration form (found in the vestibule of the church). Drop it either in the collection basket, the mail, or at the parish office. We will send you a New Parishioner Packet with information about the parish, its organizations and groups.

As a Parish Community, We Pray...Come, Lord Jesus, Touch all who suffer from aids. Fill them with expectant faith that God is with them in their pain and sorrow. May they be healed.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Charlize Tungol

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, August Cantoni, 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, Mary Shick, Pauline Speranza, Ron Stern, Justo Tan, Joan Thomsen, Mafi Tukumoatu, Gene VanSlett, Don Vickery, Diana Walter, 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

Our sincere sympathy to the families of
Eileen Whooley,
James Whooley,
Lanea Tei Shimizu,
Bob King and
Doris Ross
who died recently.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

On Saturday, December 6th, we are privileged to be present at the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. As we kneel before Jesus, we can silently pray: "Come, Lord Jesus! Come into my heart and fill me with Your Peace, Your Joy and You Love." Our hour of devotion will close with Benediction at 10:00 a.m. in Mary's Chapel.

by Sister Sheral

Advent Is Here!
This weekend, you may pick up a wonderful flier entitled "Waiting in Joyful Hope" to help you celebrate Advent. It gives the scripture citations for each day (what you'd hear if you went to Mass) and a brief reflection for each day to keep us centered during these busy days. You might try to come to Mass once a week during Advent or perhaps, take the time as often as you can to prayerfully read the passages for each day.

Almost 100 of us made Advent wreaths last Saturday and got to know parishioners whose faces we'd seen, but whose names we didn't know. One family had four generations there! It was wonderful. If you weren't able to come, it's not too late to make your own wreath. In its very simplest form, all you need is a round plate, some evergreens arranged in a circle and four candles, three purple and one pink. Put it somewhere so it can be seen often. Each Saturday evening or Sunday, you'll light it or if you're fortunate enough to gather for dinner nightly, light it each evening. Gather your household and bless the wreath with this prayer: By day and by night and through every season, you watch over us, Faithful God. We praise you for this wreath. It is the evergreen crown of your royal people, and it shines with promise of eternal victory. By the light of this wreath, we shall wait in patience for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will comfort our fears and bring hope to our waiting world. All glory be yours, now and forever. Amen. Then light the first purple candle as you pray: Dear Father, as we begin this holy season of Advent, help us to remember that your love for us is endless like a circle. Teach us to wait these weeks and to make time for you, so that we may hear your voice. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. This column will have each week's prayer for you.

I know that our parish has a well-deserved reputation for generosity to the poor. What a wonderful example for the young ones! We might want to think about the gifts we give to family and friends. Do they also express our values? The ad on the radio for the Star Registry drives me bonkers! Imagine how much food a pantry or shelter could buy for the $45 they are asking! If you have friends who "have everything" why not make a donation in their name to a group you know they support? If you're experiencing difficult economic times, why not agree with your friends or family to give gifts only to the children? We adult know that our relationships with each other are the truest gifts. That might relieve some of the stress which none of us needs as well.

Lector Workshop
Lectors are invited to a workshop this Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the church. It will include reflection on the meaning of the Advent/Christmas seasons and an opportunity to practice the reading you're scheduled to proclaim. Please come having prepared your reading. If you have questions, please call Sr. Sheral at the rectory.

GIFTS FOR THE HOMEBOUND

As we do each year, we ask that each of us remember with love those members of our Parish Family who are confined to their home or to nursing homes. Our Advent theme this year is: Come, Lord Jesus". Our gifts to our sisters and brother are one way to bring Jesus' love to them. There are baskets placed on our altar steps. Some suggestions are: knee socks, lap robes, hand and body lotion, soap, cards, slippers, robes, nightgowns, pajamas, notes of encouragment. The only requisite is that your gifts be new not used.

ADOPT-A-FAMILY GIVING TREE

This weekend, Nov. 29-30 and next weekend, Dec. 6-7 we will have a "Giving Tree". If you have the means to share your Christmas spirit, stop by after any one of the Masses on these days and pick an ornament. If you have any questions please call Rob or Cathy Aveson.

AIDS LUNCH
December 10th

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 December 10th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

We appreicate your help!

THANK YOU

Dear Parishioners ,
Thank you for the church's generous donation to the Catholic Worker House. We are planning a big Thanksgiving dinner and your donation definitely helps!

Catholic Worker House

MEN'S CLUB CRAP CIOPPINO DINNER
AND BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT

MEN ONLY
Friday December 5th

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Black jack $52.50/Dinner only $32.50. Call Dan Uroz for reservations.

GROWNUPS' CHRISTMAS PARTY

Come celebate the holiday season at the
Grownups' Christmas Party
on December 6th, in Hennessey Hall.

Enjoy a catered traditional turkey dinner, music of the Traversos, door prizes and a raffle of table decorations. Proceeds of this event go to Sister Ita's special Christmas charities. No host cocktails at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m. tickets are $20. Deadline for reservations is December 3rd. For reservations, call Laverne Buller; Dolores Johnson; Marie Noce; Olga Samuelsen; or Sybil De Santis. Tickets will also be available after 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday and after 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses on Sunday.

WOMEN'S GUILD

The Women's Guild cordially invites you to our December meeting on Monday, December 8th! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:30 p.m. The price is $10.00 and a canned food item! Please bring a wrapped ornament for the ANNUAL ORNAMENT EXCHANGE. Call Teresa Nusbaurm.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Saturday, December 13th
8:30 am and 10:30 am seatings

See Santa present each child with a gift. There will be a continental breakfast and children can create a unique gift for someone special. Get your photo taken with Santa. Reservations are a must - please call Jean Jauregui.