Last weekend I shared with you my recent cancer diagnosis and anticipated treatment. Many of our fellow parishioners are not always able to attend Mass every weekend. As a courtesy to them I will briefly recap the information you have already received.

Several weeks ago I discovered two tumors under my arm. After biopsies, different scans and blood work I was diagnosed with head and neck cancer which has moved into the lymph system, lungs and areas of the chest. The treatment protocol calls for surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. My present health status will not tolerate chemotherapy. The prognosis is guarded at best. Overtime I will be less available and limited in my ministry. Please be patient and understanding.

I wanted to share this with you because I love you and we are a parish family. Your love, affirmations and encouragement this past year have been a joy and a blessing for me. I need you to continue that support. Transparency is always a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. I will keep you informed whenever necessary. Please pray for me, my family and my caregivers.

Father Bruce reminded me that this is my home and that I am welcome to remain here as long as I need to and want to. Father Bruce’s care and concern, his gentleness and thoughtfulness are unmatched anywhere. I am profoundly grateful to him for his affection.

My life experience teaches me that every moment, every crisis, every transition provides a grace that will transform me and deepen my conversion. In time I will see this as a gift for me and everyone I touch. It was true for my Vietnam journey and my recovery from alcoholism. God’s ways are not our ways. The Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us and most especially surprise us. Thank you for walking with me. You are always in my heart and prayers.

New Members Needed-The Grief Support Ministry is in need of new members. If you (male or female) have a kind compassionate heart and are willing to make a phone call and listen to a person who has recently lost a loved one and feel that you could help lighten the burden of sorrow of that person, please join us. Barbara Elordi, from the San Francisco Archdiocese has promised to conduct a training workshop for all those interested. For more information talk to Sister Patricia, Sophia and Bruce Chester, Rita Lille, Lidia Vinal, Florence Martinez, Marie Noce and Dolores Johnson.

Junior Legion of Mary-St. Roberts Junior Legion of Mary (ages 7-17) years) meet every Sunday after the 11:30 a.m. Mass in the Mahoney Room. On Sunday, May 22nd, they will have an outdoor Crowning of the Blessed Mother in the Kindergarten Patio. Come and pray the Rosary for world peace with them. If interested in joining the Junior Legion, Contact Sister Patricia at 589-0104 or contact any Senior Legion of Mary member.

We wish to congratulate those adults from St. Robert’s who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco. They are:

June 3rd-5th
Living the Beatitudes Today
Toinette Eugene, PhD.

June 17th-19th
Eucharist and Healing
A silent retreat for men and women.
Father Richard Bain

SAN DAMIANO RETREAT CENTER
P.O. Box 767, Danville, CA 94526-0767
(925) 837-9141

May 29th - 1-5pm
Day of Dialogue
Richard Purcell, OFM

May 31st - 9:30am.-3pm
Marian Day
The Magnificent of Mary
Evan Howard, OFM

MERCY CENTER
2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 340-7474

June 3rd-June 5th
A Renewal for Busy People
Father DeMello

Our profit as of 5/15/2005 is $8,047.30. Thanks to all who volunteered. It's an easy way to raise funds. It just takes your time. We need volunteers for all games (except as noted on the sign-up sheet.

We list the names of the people that we have been asked to pray for during the week. We continue to ask each week that parishioners 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.

As you know, my Mom has gone home to God, actually two days before the anniversary of my Dad’s death. I had gone back to Auburn where my sister lives on the 8^th after the 9:30 Mass and that night at 1:30 am, we received a call that her breathing had changed. We stayed until 6 a.m. then went home for showers and to begin staying with her in shifts. Monday night, we slept and when we went back Tuesday morning, she had entered more fully into the passage home. At noon, after checking with the nurse, we went out to get Target gift cards for everyone at Somerford who had been so loving to her. The nurse called us to say that her breathing had changed and when we came back, her spirit had left the body she had called home for 87 years. She died peacefully, taking a breath and then slipping away.

Through tears, we stayed with her body for a while and the words of the lovely Song of Farewell which I had sung to her, came to me again: “Come to her aid, O saints of God; come, meet her angels of the Lord. Receive her soul, O holy ones; present her now to God Most High. I know that my Redeemer lives; the last day I shall rise again.” Her body through which she lived in the world deserved respect, of course, but her spirit – that which made her who she was - was no longer there. The light in her eyes, the smile which greeted anyone and everyone whose path crossed hers was gone. But now she was with the Source of that light, that enthusiasm for life, that creator of all people whom she interacted with as equals, regardless of their age, race, or position in life.

My Mom was a beautiful woman and her love of beauty was expressed in her paintings, her wonderful pies and cakes and in our home and garden. She enjoyed refinishing a table she’d found at a garage sale, spending days and days on it. I chose a beautiful wooden casket for her, knowing she’d haunt me forever if she were buried in a metal one!

Our faith is such a consolation! I kept thinking how difficult death must be for those who believe that this life is it. I know that my Mom is with God and with my Dad whose anniversary was two days after she died. I loved her and I will miss her very much. It struck me during the funeral that in receiving the Eucharist, we are most closely united still. Both my parents were faithful Saturday evening Mass-goers and tried to live out their faith as fully as they could. Now they are together and we three daughters will continue to live out their values as fully as we can.

My thanks to each of you for your prayerful support all these weeks. I appreciate very much the cards and Masses you have had offered. I have missed being at the parish, but have known you were with me in spirit. Fortunately, the provincial council I am part of had planned months ago to spend some days at Tahoe in the home of a friend. I’ll be there through Sunday, but will see those of you who aren’t away the following weekend.