St. Robert's Catholic Church Bulletin, February 27, 2005

St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
February 27, 2005
Third Sunday of Lent

    

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Dear Friends,

We are almost halfway through the 40 days of Lent, and there is still time to start if we haven’t yet been ready. Halfway through, still time to find the ways that we need to fast, the ways we can best pray, the alms we most need to give. Halfway through the forty days of Lent, and it is the Lord’s Day today and so we are assembled here and we have read the scriptures and we have to talk about Lent’s hardest work. Lent’s hardest work, what is it? Paul gives it away in his letter to the Corinthians: God in Christ has done the reconciling and has made us reconcilers. God was in Christ doing the reconciling of the world. God was not counting our sins against us but instead making us be what Christ is, the Gospel of reconciliation. Lent’s hardest work: Forgiveness! I believe it’s the hardest work of our lives. What else can we talk about when we are confronted during Lent with the great Gospel stories of sin and repentance and reconciliation.

My role model this Lent for this hard work is my friend, Alan Easton, who died of AIDS on Ash Wednesday evening at Coming Home Hospice. His partner, Jim, died there as well three years before. I met Alan fifteen years ago in AA when he was three years sober. I became his AA sponsor and friend. He was born in Missouri and raised in a Christian fundamentalist family. Because of his addiction and sexual orientation his family disowned him and remained unavailable right through his dying.

During his recovery Alan found Jesus through the reconciling faith community of Most Holy Redeemer in San Francisco. He was received into the church at Easter in 1998. Filled with hope and promise he shared this experience with his family. They didn’t respond. A month before he died he told me that he wanted his family to know that he loved them and forgave them.

“Forgiveness is God’s work from beginning to end,”
he reminded me.
Our life’s work is to bring forgiveness to a broken world, starting at home.
Besides, Joe, I want to go to heaven, directly.
And I don’t know if that will happen if I don’t forgive them.”

Alan always had his bases covered.

Alan constructed a card for each of his parents, his brother and his two sisters. Each card was shaped in a heart and on the front it said,

“I love you very much.
Your name is inscribed on my heart and
I take you to heaven with me to Jesus.”

On the inside he related a happy memory he shared with that particular person from his childhood. On the back he wrote,

" Thank you. See you in heaven.”

What an extraordinary example of love, generosity and forgiveness.

His family did not attend his funeral services. I gave his cards to a family representative who had come to settle legal matters. I haven’t heard from them but I pray that Alan’s outreach will be a source of healing and reconciliation for them in the days and years ahead.

Lent is the time to learn the trade of reconciliation. Lent’s hardest work is forgiveness. We’re halfway through. Who is on your list?

God love you; I do.
Father Joe

    

A Reminder…...
DON’T FORGET

St. Robert’s Volunteers
You are being honored

TODAY
From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In Hennessy Hall.

Come let us thank you!

    

STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND LENTEN SUPPERS

On each Friday in Lent (except for Good Friday), Stations are celebrated in the Church at 6 p.m. A light Lenten Supper follows in Hennessy Hall. The Stations on March 4th will be led by our Ninth Grade Youth. The supper will be hosted by the Grownups and Children’s Liturgy. This is an opportunity for us to pray together and to get to know one another. We ask that you put into the donation basket on the serving table what you would have spent for your usual Friday dinner. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society will use your gift to help our sisters and brothers who are in the midst of hard times. Bring your family and friends.

All are welcome

    

As a Parish Community...We pray our troubled world. May all people see that Jesus is our Messiah, who sets us free from sin, injustice, violence and war. May He grant us peace.

    

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Frank Nicholas Giardina,
Jordan Vincent Tosetti &
Sydney Isabella Loh

    

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Felisa West
who died recently.

    

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Monday - February 28
Readings: 2 Kgs 5:1-5ab     Lk 4:24-30

Mass Intention
   
6:30
8:30
Angelo & Catherine Sangalli †
Armida Moniri †
Dinner Dance Meeting
Baseball Pictures
Passion Play Rehearsal
Grownups Meeting
1:45p
5:30p
7:00p
7:30p
Hall
Hall
Church
Mahoney Room
Tuesday - March 1
Readings: Dn 3:25,34-43     Mt 18:21-35
Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Barbara Uroz †
Pasquale & Maria Aloise †
Faith Sharing Group
Religious Education
Legion of Mary
Youth Ministry
9:15a
3:30p
6:30p
8:30p
Mary's Chapel
Church & Hall
Library
Hall
Wednesday - March 2
Readings: Deut 4:1,5-9     Mt 5:17-19
Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Mary Ann Begley †
Patrice Van Velthuysen †
7th Grade Cheerleading
Choir Practice
8th Grade
Bible Study
3:00p
7:00p
7:00p
7:30p
Hall
Church
Hall
Convent Chapel

Thursday - March 3
Readings: Jer 7:23-28     Lk 11:14-23

Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Modesto DeLos Reyes †
Giarth Klingensmith †
Religious Education
Archdiocesan Meeting
RCIA
Youth Ministry
3:30p
3:30p
7:00p
7:00p
Church
Mahoney Room
Convent Chapel
Hall

Friday - March 4
Readings: Hos 14:2-10     Mk 12:28-34

Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Marie Spacher †
Genevieve Daveggio †
8th Grade Cheerleading
Stations of the Cross
Lenten Soup Supper
3:30p
6:00p
6:30p
Hall
Church
Hall

Saturday - March 5
Readings: Hos 6:1-6     Lk 18:9-14

Mass Intention 8:30
4:30
Ivan Boncic †
Valerie Asaro †
Men's Retreat
Eucharistic Adoration
Religious Education
8:00a
9:00a
9:45a
Offsite
Mary's Chapel
Hall & Church

Sunday - March 6
Readings: 1 Sm 16:1b,6-7     Eph 5:8-14     Jn 9:1-41

Mass Intention 7:30
9:30
11:30
5:00
Maria Emilio †
Judy Hurley †
People of St. Robert's
Barsotti Family †
Dinner Dance Meeting
Legion of Mary
Confirmation Class
Youth Mass
Youth Ministry
Passion Play Rehearsal
10:00a
12:30p
3:00p
5:00p
6:00p
7:00p
Hall
Mahoney Room
Hall
Church
Hall
Church
    

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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

On Saturday, March 5th, and on each First Saturday of every month, we have the privilege of celebrating Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until Benediction at 10 a.m. Pope John Paul II has asked Catholics to spend time in adoring Christ, divinely present in His Blessed Sacrament. Jesus longs for us; we must long for Him. Jesus seeks us; we must seek Him. Let us come and sit quietly before Jesus; open our hearts to Him and tell Him how very much we love Him and need Him. He is waiting!

    

FIL/AM RENO TRIP
March 5-6

Enjoy and have fun on the scenic snow drive to Reno sponsored by the Fil/Am group of St. Robert’s church March 5th - 6th. Saturday overnight and return Sunday. Leave at 7 am in the morning in front of the Rectory on Crystal Springs. $50 per person double occupancy and $65 for single.

    

GROWNUPS ANNUAL SOUP SUPPER

The Grownups Annual Soup Supper and General meeting will be held in Hennessy Hall on March 9th at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will follow the supper and Father Healy, our Associate Pastor, will be our guest speaker. Tickets are $8 each and may be purchased by calling Dolores Johnson, Olga Samuelson, Vera Hannon or Dolores Moynihan.

    

GOOD FRIDAY ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN

The Childrens' Liturgy Teeam will again be holding a Good Friday activity for children ages four and older. Doors will open in Hennessy Hall at 1:15 p.m. Children should be picked up immediately after parish church services conclude.

If you wish to register your child, kindly call Darlene Esola or MaryAnn Saisi. Please leave your child’s name and age, you name, and a contact phone number.

    

JUNIOR LEGION OF MARY

Congratulations and welcome young people! We are happy to announce that St. Robert’s Junior Legion of Mary now meets every Sunday. We are anxious for more children or teenagers to join. The object of the Legion is to spread devotion to the Mother of God and pray for world peace. Any young Catholic between the ages of 7-17 is invited to join.

    

2005 DINNER DANCE
Basque Cultural Center
March 12th

”Game Show Mania”
IS ALMOST HERE
Don’t miss the Women’s Guild Dinner Dance and Auction

There are still a few tickets available….$75 per person or $65 for seniors. Call Karen Martinez for tickets.

GAME SHOW MANIA NEWS

Want to advertise your business or special talent in a resource directory for parishioners? Don’t miss your chance to place an ad in the “Red and Blue Pages!” The listings will be free to all who attend the Women’s Guild Dinner Dance. They will also be available after the event for a nominal fee.

Space is filling fast! Call Noelle Quilici for details.

    

LADIES!!!

Save the Date
Sunday, April 10th
for HIGH TEA
more information to follow

    

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ST. VINCENT DE PAUL needs your help with non-perishiable food items especially

CANNED HAMS

These items will help those in our parish that are in need. You can drop these items off at the Rectory Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thanks for your generous support you give us through the year.

    

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by Sister Sheral

The Woman at the Well

This Sunday’s gospel is such a wonderful one, presenting us with a Samaritan woman from whom we can learn much. She is three times an outcast, an outsider. First, as a woman she “belongs” to her husband as do his lands and his animals. Second, she belongs to an outcast people because they don’t believe everything their observant Jewish neighbors do. Third, she is an outcast even among her own people: everyone knows she’s had five husbands. (Though, as one of the Tuesday scripture group participants noted, in those days a woman could be divorced by her husband merely telling her three times that they were divorced! And I added that burning a dinner was considered just cause, which it was!)

No one in her right mind goes to a well at noontime in a desert land, but she does because she is tired of the smirks and comments from the women who gather in the morning when it’s cool. She is an amazing woman: attentive to the moment, engaging a man in conversation as an equal, when she is supposed to be subservient. She is totally honest. She is the first theologian, in touch with her experience, asking for clarification, professing her faith in a Messiah to come. And like any good theologian or teacher, she runs to the very people who despise her with her good news, trusting that her enthusiasm will dispel their doubts. She must have been charming, says another Tuesday participant, not to mention convincing, since they come out with her to meet him, beg him to stay and become believers.

What about us? When we’re happy or confused or angry, do we engage our God in conversation? The Spirit Jesus promised us is with us always and, no doubt, will guide us in whatever straits or joys we find ourselves. We don’t need to have everything worked out before we talk with the One who knows our hearts anyway. It’s a good rule of thumb that if something causes an emotional response within us of whatever kind, it deserves our attention. Many of us, especially of European descent, may have grown up “stuffing” our emotions since they were considered dangerous or unruly. They can surely be that, but they can also give us insights about ourselves that we otherwise would miss. Being of Irish/German/English heritage, I know how easy it is to live from the neck up! Our Catholic upbringing also may have taught us that emotions could lead to sin, so of course, if we avoid them, we are more virtuous. But where would we be without feeling loved and loving? And when would we ever stand up for a co-worker treated unfairly if we didn’t let ourselves feel some outrage? And doesn’t our sadness at the death of someone close to us indicate how much the person meant to us?

During the coming week, we could imitate the Samaritan woman and be attentive to our everyday experiences. Perhaps, we can be really present to each person who crosses our path and try to engage that person. If we listen to what our feelings have to tell us, the Spirit will help us to understand and grow from their promptings. Peace.

    

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GET MOVIN'

Want to make new friends? Then you should come to the Get Movin’ youth rally at Sacred Heart-Cathedral High School in San Francisco on March 12th. Show your SR pride and be present. There will be teenagers from different schools and churches and we want a St. Robert’s group to attend. Get Movin’ starts at 9am and ends at 5 pm with free lunch, music by Jesse Manibusan, and Mass with Fr. R. Tony Pickard. Get Movin’ cost $20 and financial aid is available. Please call Juan at 255-0791 for more info. Sign-ups and money are due this week. We also need drivers and chaperones, service hours can be provided, please call Juan if you are able to help.

    

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2005

For Young Adults from 18-35 who would like to celebrate their Catholic faith with peers. It will be in Cologne, Germany with a 4 day pre-pilgrimage to Munich, Dachau and Fussen beginning August 11th thru the 22nd. Bishop John Wester will be joining us. Fundraising and scholarships are available to subsidize the $3,000 cost. Meetings have begun, so register today! For more information, contact Mary at (415) 614-5596, www.sfyam.org.

    

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ANNUAL APPEAL

     
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SAINT ROBERT'S MEN'S RETREAT

March 5th
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Mercy Center, Burlingame
2300 Adeline Drive
Suggested Donation $30.00

REGISTRATION FORM
Please return to
Rectory by February 28th

NAME:______________________________

ADDRESS:__________________________

TELEPHONE:________________________

DONATION:__________________________

    

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March 5th & 6th

4:30 p.m. Mass

Presider Father Healy
Eucharistic Ministers M. J. Gloistein (C), T. Dachauer, P. Schaukowitch,
J. Scannell, R. Larsen, B. Larsen,
R. Aveson, B. Castro-Leon, J. Quinn
Lectors M. Dachauer and C. Clarke
Altar Servers C. Hageman and C. Murphy

7:30 a.m. Mass

Presider Father Bruce
Eucharistic Ministers E. Ruggiero (C), C. Noce, M. Noce,
C. Soracco, R. Vassalo
Lector S. Kelly
Altar Servers P. Landholt and J. Landholt
9:30 a.m. Mass
Presider Father Hung/Deacon Duffey
Eucharistic Ministers M. Dowden (C), A. Romine, J. Romine,
J. Kelly, P. Byrne, M. Herrera,
T. Jones, K. Semenza, S. Murray
Lectors J. Shick and J. Marty
Altar Servers K. Shea and R. Reid
11:30 a.m. Mass
Presider Father Marini
Eucharistic Ministers G. May (C), D. Murphy, E. Sanchez,
A. Maron, B. Chester, S. Stefaniuk,
H. Madayag, C. Ortiz, T. Estelita
Lectors M. Benavente and F. Firpo
Altar Servers Kevin Woods and M. Norton

5:00 p.m. Mass

Presider Father Healy
Eucharistic Ministers J. Schaukowitch (C), M. Salvato, V. Hawkins,
S. Donohue, D. Valiao, M. Albertolle
T. Albertolle
Lector M. Innes
Altar Servers C. Fonseca and K. Daniel

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