On September 2, 1972, married here at St. Robert’s, we began our life together. Today we sit on our deck in the warmth of the sun, breathing in the sweet smell of summer. As we sip our tea, we fondly reminisce over the past 34 years. We have shared with one another the good times and the bad; the happy and the sad, through better or worse, in sickness and in health. We especially thank God for His gift to us of our sense of humor, the ability to laugh at ourselves. We no longer try to figure everything out; to know all the answers or understand what is going on. This doesn’t mean we don’t have troubles from time to time, but this positive attitude enables us to live in joy even in the midst of problems. God is in charge!

We smile as we read in St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands”. We decide that the key words here are: “should be”. It doesn’t read: “must be subordinate”! Truthfully, this wife certainly is not, and never will be, subordinate to her husband. As we read further, we agree that, when a husband loves his wife as his own body, he nourishes her and cherishes her; he treats her as an equal and is not overbearing or unreasonably demanding of her. Through the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony, we are able to live in love as Christ loves us.

These many years together have taught us to enjoy our unshakable trust in the power and love of God. Together we proclaim: “Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for He is our God” — Jesus, we trust in You!

Mother Teresa has said: “To be alone with Jesus in adoration and intimate union with Him is the greatest gift of love—the tender love of our Father in heaven. The fruit of our adoration is that our love for Jesus is more intimate, our love for each other is more understanding, our love for the poor is more compassionate.”

The Archdiocese has requested a special collection this weekend for the rebuilding of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Biloxi.

Please make checks payable to St. Robert’s
and in the memo line write “Katrina II”. Thank you.

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.

     
Welcome Back, Everyone!

For some of us, there is little difference between summer and the rest of the year. For others, there’s a big difference. If you have a high schooler, you’ve been back in the usual schedule of things for some time! The rest of us still may need to adjust to earlier mornings and the endless dropping off and picking up that school year activities necessitate. Some of you reading this are new “empty-nesters” whether your last one is off to college or your five year old is off to kindergarten! Others have just moved into the parish, started a new job or have decided that it’s time to come back to church. Welcome! Inevitably, this time of year is one of transition. Those of us who appreciate order and predictability are invited to let go and to try to see the good in the new and different aspects of our lives. The last line of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians asks us to “giv[e] thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What might be the gift that God is offering us in whatever is new and different in the coming year? Might this be the year I move from being a Sunday (or Saturday afternoon) Catholic to one who is more involved in the parish? Is it time, after coming to Mass with my family for years, that I decide to become Catholic or finally to be confirmed? Is this the year we have our marriage blessed or our children baptized? Is this the year we decide that participating in Sunday Mass is a priority and that other weekend commitments will be scheduled around Mass? Is this the year that I acknowledge that I’m a human being and vow to live a more centered life, even turning down some involvements I’d love, but honestly don’t have time for? Is this the year that, instead of feeling guilty and showering my children with things, I figure out – difficult as it is - how to spend more time with them? How blest we are that Jesus has promised us the Holy Spirit to guide us! May that same Spirit help us to live a healthier and holier life in the year to come.

Peace, S. Sheral

Interested in Becoming Catholic?
Or finding out more about our Faith?
Adults in need of Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation?

Open House, September 7^th – 7pm, Convent Chapel
(349 Oak Ave – Side entrance)

Please bring a Friend!
Questions – Deacon Rusty Duffey, 589-2800

• Three Day Novena in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz at 7 p.m. in Mary’s Chapel:

1st Day: Thursday, September 7th
2nd Day: Friday, September 8th
3rd Day: Saturday, September 9th

• Eucharistic celebration at St. Robert's Church, Sunday, September 10th at 11:30 a.m.

Processional-statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz and flower offering.
Mass-Msgr. Bruce Dreier, celebrant

• Reception and Entertainment

THE FESTIVAL IS COMING
September 22-24th
PORTS OF CALL

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.

If you would like to work in either of these booths or can help in any way, please contact Louise and Ray Downs or Raquel and Jeff Downs.

CHAIR A BOOTH

Get to know your fellow parishioners...and or/get a good chunk of your school hours by working a booth. We’re still looking for people to chair some game booths...it’s easy and fun! Please call Mars Cadiz or Sandra Thompson.

 BOTTLE SUNDAY

If you are interested in enrolling your child in Religion classes, please contact the Religious Education office at 588-0477 or email: RelEduc@SaintRoberts.org

Classes for Gr. 1—5—Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm
Classes start on Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Classes for Gr. 6-8—Alternate Tuesday evenings 6:45-8pm
Classes start on Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Confirmation Year I
(Gr. 9 or students who have not completed year I)
Alternate Tuesday evenings 6:45-8:15pm
Classes start on Tuesday, September 12, 2006

    
Sign up for E-Contributions

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.

ST. ROBERTS CENTERPLATE TEAM NEEDS YOUR HELP

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.

To all St. Robert’s and School of Religion Graduates—Class of 2002.
We are proud of the members of our Parish who have graduated from High School in June and are now taking the next steps in their journey.