In the midst of the bad news which assaults us daily in newspaper and television, we need to look for hope, for the presence of God’s reign breaking into our everyday life. What are some signs of hope? The Salvation Army bellringers will take their usual places at department store entrances. Our children still ask questions like, “How will Santa Claus find the poor people?”

I came across an article in the Sept. 22, 2003 issue of America magazine which noted that “Northern Ireland today is at peace and is so far removed from the cult of violence and ideology that a return to war is unthinkable…the people of Northern Ireland have embraced the promise of peace and have marginalized the voices of hate.” What a great sign of hope! South Africa is still struggling to undo decades of apartheid, but the hated “homelands” for black South Africans are no more. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld announced that the military would be in Iraq for at least four more years, but at least this time, we have separated our support for the war from our support for the military and their families. The tragedy of Vietnam vets returning home to scorn will never happen again.

Every time someone responds to the need of another, every time we accept the quirks of those we live with and work with, every time we renew our faith in our God, more hope enters the world. It is time to remember the reality of the Body of Christ of which each of us is a part. Every act of love and forgiveness creates ripples throughout the human community.

Can you recall a time God was present to you and filled your heart with joy or gave you strength to endure a difficult situation? Savor that remembrance and ask this faithful God of ours to stir up your hope! God has not given up on us or our world. God is limited, strange as this sounds, by his gift to us of our free will. How will we use our time, energy and resources to bring the vision of Isaiah to fulfillment? We might change the helpful statement, “Think globally, act locally” to “Pray globally, act locally.”

Gifts for adopt a family will be collected after Masses this weekend, December 11th and 12th and next weekend, December 18th and 19th.

As we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus, let us remember those members of our Parish Family who are homebound or residing in nursing facilities. They are waiting a sign of Jesus’ love for them. We can be that sign! Baskets have been placed on the altar steps for your Christmas gifts to them. A few suggestions are: slippers, robes, dusters, nightgowns, pajamas, sweaters, hand and body lotions, white knee socks, lap robes, cards and letters of encouragement. Please let your gift be new and unwrapped.

Yes, it’s that time of year. Last year our choirs went caroling to Emmanuel Convalescent Hospital to give a little holiday cheer. We made such an impact on them that they have invited us back again this year.

We are going to gather TODAY, Sunday, December 12th at 1 p.m. to have a short rehearsal of the carols we will sing. We will then caravan to the hospital to sing for about 45 minutes. We plan to arrive there at 2 p.m. As we did last year, we are inviting all of you who can give about 2 hours of your time and voice to join us. There will be familiar carols, so you shouldn’t feel that your voice is not good enough to come with us. All will be welcome, and it will give you a chance to sing Christmas Carols during Advent.

Applications for Kindergarten for the 2005/2006 school year will be accepted at the school office January 10th thru January 14th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Child must be 5 years of age by September 1, 2005. Please have copies of the child’s birth certificate, baptismal record, Social Security card and a check for $30 to cover the testing fees.

Slow me down, My God!
Ease the pounding of my heart
by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace
with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me amid the confusion of the day,
the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Teach me the art of slowing down
to look at a flower,
to chat with a friend,
to pet a dog,
to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise,
that I may know that the race is not always to the swift….
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.

Slow me down, my God,
and inspire me to send my roots deep
into the soil of life’s enduring values
that I may grow toward the stars
of my greater destiny,
that I may find you, my God.

During the weeks ahead, we will be listing the names that we have been asked to pray for during the week. We will continue to ask each week that parishioners continue to pray for the chronically ill of our parish.

If you have a friend or loved one in need of our parish prayers please call the Rectory at 589-2800.

Also, remember our Emergency prayer network that continues to pray for specific intentions that require a concerted effort due to their critical nature. To facilitate the network, please call Michele Pipinich at 589-4963. The network then prays frequently for the next 72 hours. We would appreciate a return call with the outcome so we can praise God for His faithfulness:The Parish Priests and Staff

We pray for the ill:

Christmas Poinsettias will decorate the Church during the Christmas Season. If you would like to make a donation of $10 toward their purchase in memory of a loved one, fill out the form below and return by Sunday, December 21st. Please make a check out to St. Robert's Poinsettia Fund.

John the Baptist and Jesus, though second cousins, present very different images of God. We heard John’s image last week: “The wheat will be gathered into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” It sounds a bit like the image of God many of us had before Vatican II. No wonder that John was confused and needed to send his followers to Jesus to ask if he was the one about whom John was preaching. As Jude Siciliano, OP writes in his First Impressions: “John learned a lesson from the news his disciples brought back to him. He wanted a God of fire and brimstone and what he got was Jesus, who preached full and endless forgiveness offered to the very “chaff” John expected to see burned. Maybe what we learn today is to be less judgmental and more forgiving – which might go a long way to enable ‘the blind to regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers cleansed, the deaf hear and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.’” Following Jesus is a challenge because we have to leave behind so many values of our consumer society: evaluating people on the basis of their career or income or degree or automobile or clothes.

Jesus brings healing. As his friend and follower, where might I bring reconciliation? Am I ready to receive his forgiveness so I can start anew? Extra priests will be available this Saturday at 3:30 pm for confession; next Monday, the 20^th we will have a reconciliation service (with readings, songs, examination of conscience) with several priests available at 7:30 pm. Come join us or if you can’t take advantage of either opportunity, please call the rectory and ask to see one of the priests for confession.

Lighting your Wreath
Next Saturday evening or Sunday, you finally get to light all the candles on your wreath and pray: