"In solitude we learn to explore,
and in stillness we come to see
that this is the time for new beginnings,
a time to stop and be silent,
to listen and to dream. "

—Stan Kennedy

Dear Parishioners,

Lent, is just around the corner. It is just thirteen days away. So, I am sure that you are already planning what you will do extra, more perfectly, or "give up" for Lent. You are preparing your new "beginnings".

Saint Robert's is making Spiritual Reading available to you this Lent and what better way to celebrate Lent than to spend some quality time reading and reflecting about God, Prayer, or Spiritual things. Lent means "springtime" or "the lengthening of days". So it is the ideal time to lengthen our time daily with our God. May God bless and keep you and may you be His (God's) special Valentine this year.

To facilitate all those who wish to check out a Spiritual book for Lent, we will have some books available in the vestibule of the Church on a Library cart after the Masses. This is our first time checking out these books and we are very excited about being of "Reading" service to you.

This month we will host a Grief Support Group and plan to do so on the 4th Saturday of every month at 3:00 p.m. (before the 4:30 Mass) in the Convent Chapel.

February 28th we will meet with the Parents who are trying to cope with the loss of a child.

We welcome into our Parish!

Lauren McLaughlin
Shane & Elena Schmidling & Family
Melissa Marcazzo
Myralee Martinez
Eugenio Ocampo & Cherille Corpus

Take the Risk!

Often the first reading and the gospel have the same theme. This Sunday, all three readings are closely related. Isaiah has an experience of God which frightens him and attracts him at the same time. In the Hebrew understanding of God, no one could see God and live and yet Isaiah does just that. He hears God's call [as Jeremiah did in last week's reading] and proclaims, "Here I am, send me!" Paul has let his experience of the risen Christ change him totally from a persecutor of the followers of the Way [what followers of Jesus were originally called] to its strongest preacher. The disciples have been fishing all night in vain when Jesus tells them to go out into deeper waters. They do so and catch more fish than their nets can hold. Take a chance! Leave your comfort zone and do what I ask you!

During this Ordinary Time, we're challenged to take the gospel seriously, to make it practical in our everyday lives. What does that mean for you and for me? If the gospel doesn't influence our daily lives, how can we say we're Christian? For me at this moment in my life, it means that I entrust my Mom to the caregivers at the Alzheimer's residence and pray for her and for them. I trust that even though during this last visit she couldn't express her thoughts in words, God will give us the strength to live through this and the time I dread most: when she won't know me. We sold my folks' home in Sacramento in October and by May, we will have left the motherhouse where I've lived on and off for 20 years. And I trust that my blood sisters, my Franciscan sisters and my Lord will be my home.

Where are you already conscious of the Spirit's presence with you? Where might the gospel touch your daily life more deeply?

Small Faith Sharing Groups for Lent

Would you like to better understand the powerful scripture readings of the Lenten season and get to know some of your fellow parishioners better as well? Deacon Rusty Duffey and Sr. Sheral will be offering weekly small groups which will meet six times during Lent and once after Easter. No previous knowledge of the Bible necessary! Sr. Sheral's group will meet Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am and Deacon Rusty's group will meet Tuesday evenings at 7 pm. If you're interested in either of these groups, please call the rectory and let one of us know. You're most welcome! Peace,

Those of us who attend Church here at St. Robert's parish have been blessed with many gifts. God calls us to use our gifts in a life giving way; to bring life to others by sharing our abundance with them. Just as Jesus came that we might have a more abundant life, we should use our worldly goods to help those less fortunate than ourselves. When everyone participates the burden is lighter and the church grows and flourishes.

Each year, through the Archbishop's Annual Appeal, we are invited to participate with Archbishop Levada in meeting needs of others that cannot be met by any single parish. The Archbishop depends on the people in all the parishes of the Archdiocese to provide the money for this important work. None of the money raised in this Appeal will be used to settle sexual abuse cases.

People that benefit from the Appeal include youth, the elderly, the sick, the disabled, families and ethnic minorities. These programs assist all the parishes and the Annual Appeal even provides direct subsidies to some of the poorer parishes and schools. The programs include vocations, training of priests and deacons, hospital ministry, family life programs and the marriage tribunal.

It is important to remember that as a parish we are assessed $79,700. If parishioner pledges don't come to that amount, it will have to come from the parish bank account. The good news is that if our pledges are for more than that amount, the excess is returned to us to use here in the parish. When I think of all the ways we could use that money, it makes me want to encourage each of you to be generous and to pledge all that you can afford. We can truly make this parish and the Archdiocese better places to live for all.

I've filled out my own pledge card and urge you to do the same. Your support of this campaign is strong evidence of your faith and your love of the church and of your neighbor.

If you have not received Appeal information in the mail, please phone Judy at the Parish Office at 589-2800 and the information will be sent to you. Extra packets are also in the vestibule.

This is our annual dinner/auction that has been a great success throughout the years.

Tickets are $75.00 per person.
Seniors are $65.00 per person

During Teen Room Office Hours, feel free to come to do homework, hang out, socialize, play a game or talk. I hope to see you at as many events as possible - real soon! Teen Room Office Hours are as follows:

Monday, February, 9th-Special meeting for Juniors and Seniors, 6:3-8p.m. in the Teen Office.

Tuesday, February 10th-Youth Mass Music Practice, 7-9 p.m. in the church. Other teens may prepare lunches for AIDS patients from 8-9 p.m. in the Hall, call Diana Landin and let her know what you will be bringing.

Sunday, February 15th-Youth Mass at 5 p.m and social to follow.

Tuesday, February 17th-Prepare lunches for the homeless from 8-9:30 p.m. in the Hall, call Diana Landin and let her know what you will be bringing.

Listed are a few of the food stuffs that we are running low on: jams and jellies, canned vegetables, cereal and oatmeal, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, juices, packaged cookies, condiments, and canned meats and tuna.

We are also collecting Scrip for MOLLYSTONE, ALBERTSON'S, LUNARDI'S, and SAFEWAY. You may make out certificates to Saint Vincent de Paul and either mail them or drop them in the rectory mailbox.

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 February 11th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.