On reflecting on the readings this week I thought about the people in my life that have shown me the way, my Shepherds if you will. What comes to mind are the people who are present for me. They are the ones who listen when I am speaking, look me in the eye and care about what it is I am saying. They are there, they are present. It is through their eyes I see the face of God and I know that He is listening through them.

Through their example I hope that I can practice being present for others and to not be distracted by either what is going on around me or what is inside my sometimes busy busy head.

I love what we say at the end of Mass “ Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.” I also have to remember I am human and I do the best I can.

Pay it forward is another way I have found to be a good Shepherd. If I do an act of kindness for someone today, maybe, just maybe, they will, in another act of kindness, pass it on to another human being which will then continue on and on person to person.

Father Joe Hung will be transferred to Saint Gregory’s Parish in San Mateo on July 23^rd. He will continue his hospital ministry at San Mateo Community Hospital and Seton Hospital. We thank Father Hung for his two years of dedicated service to our parish community and wish him the best as he returns to Saint Gregory’s Church.

The Social Concerns Committee of St. Robert’s will be meeting in the convent chapel on Tuesday, July 25 at 7 pm. If you haven’t come before, but are interested in helping the parish consider local and global situations in light of the Gospel, please join us. Please call Sr. Sheral at the rectory if you have questions.

Believe it or not, plans are under way for this years annual parish festival “PORTS OF CALL”, which will be on the weekend of September 22-24. As always the Barbecue and Food Booths are in need of your help. Several people are needed to work in these two very popular booths and everyone from the parish is welcome to help. Most shifts are for 2 hours, but you can work for as many hours as you would like and on all 3 days if you wish.

The menu will include those all time favorites –delicious barbecued tri tip steak sandwiches, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, polish sausages, pizza, nachos, soft drinks, candy and much more.

The parish office is in need of a volunteer to work from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Fridays, beginning August 25th. The job would involve minimal clerical duties. Please call (650) 589-2800 to apply.

The first reading speaks of the shepherd and his or her role with the sheep. Having experienced the abuse scandals of the past five years, we might ask ourselves how we have shepherded those who look up to us. “But I don’t shepherd anyone!” you might protest. To which I’d answer, “I’ll bet you do!” If you’re a grandparent or parent or the oldest of the cousins or the favorite aunt or uncle of a younger person, you’re a shepherd. If you’re a teacher or coach or Scout leader or police officer, firefighter, tutor, mentor, or the oldest person in your office, you’re a shepherd! Even though we’re in the gospel of Mark, I’d suggest you go to John’s gospel and read over chapter 10.

In Mark’s gospel today, Jesus feels for the people since they are “like sheep without a shepherd.” The very next passage, which we’ll hear next weekend, is the multiplication of the loaves. So Jesus the shepherd feeds them. How about us? Can we “feed” those we are shepherding with our example of a life of integrity – what you see is what you get – that we act the same whether we’re interacting with the boss or the garbage collector or grocery store clerk? Are we as generous with our compliments as with our corrections? Do we use language that builds up and doesn’t disrespect the person or his/her ethnic background? Can those younger than ourselves witness us dealing with conflict reasonably, not becoming verbally or physically abusive? Can they learn from us values that will last them a lifetime?

    
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Go to www.saintroberts.org and click on the e-contributions button. The first page explains the details. There is a button to take you to the e-paluch registration page. You can register online using either your checking account or credit card.

Dress Code: Full length black slacks, (jeans or spandex are not permitted), white shirt with collar, closed toe comfortable shoes (preferably black or white).

We will car pool from the rectory. For those working in San Francisco, you can meet the group at the gate.

Volunteers between 16-21 years of age must provide a copy of a picture id which includes his/her birth date.

Dress Code for 49ers Training Camp: Tan or khaki shorts and a white shirt with a collar. There will be no other shirt used this year.