The crowd did not follow Jesus’ order to keep silent. How could they? What they witnessed was a miracle performed by the Son of God. At least, the deaf man is able to hear and speak clearly for the very first time in his life. The once deaf man finally is able to live a normal life. He can converse freely with his family and friends. He can speak to them the words he has longed to say. More importantly, he can hear and proclaim the Word of God.

The crowd cannot get over what has just happened before their very eyes. The crowd is in shock. They never experienced anything like this before in their lives. It is an experience they will never forget. It is an experience they cannot contain within themselves. In fact, it’s not meant to be held to oneself. Something this good has to be shared and talked about to everyone. They want to tell everyone in town the miracle Jesus performed. Good news like this travels far and wide.

That is the nature of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Good News of Jesus just has to be proclaimed from the rooftops so that everyone can hear it and proclaim it. Today’s Good News is that God saves His people through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus saves the deaf man from living in isolation. No longer is his world silent. By curing the deaf man, Jesus brings him into communion with his townsfolk. Living in the midst of his new community, he is now able to hear the chatter of people and children at the marketplace, he is able to listen to the concerns of his friends, and he is able to tell everyone what Jesus did for him.

Like the deaf man, God comes into our lives to cure and heal us as well. It may not be as dramatic as the curing of the deaf man. Sometimes Jesus comes to us subtly in the comforting words of a friend or stranger. Maybe Jesus gives us a smile in the smile of a child to let us know that everything is going to be okay When this happens or when it has happened, we are compelled to share the Good News with family friends, even strangers.

The Adult Choir singing a the 9:30 A.M. Mass is seeking those interested in joining us in raising their voices in praise. Although it seems far away, we are going to be rehearsing music for Advent and Christmas soon, and would love to invite new members to help us make these seasons truly joyous! Our rehearsals are on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. and we gather at 9 a.m. on Sunday to warm-up. Our first rehearsal for this year is on September 6th. Although we would welcome you to join us throughout the year, we would be happy for you to sing for November and December in preparation for Christmas.

If you can play an instrument, or would like to ring hand bells, we need you as well. If you regularly attend 11:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. Sunday Masses, then there is still an opportunity to sing. Manny Ortiz and Gabe Lucas are the directors for the choirs singing at those masses, and would be happy to invite new members.

We are going to be planning a midnight mass with plenty of beautiful and festive music and the combined choirs from the 9:30 and 11:30 Masses.

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.

This invitation gives you a head start to plan how you want to spend your festival donations! The list of HIGH ROLLERS tickets buyers will be given to the Parish for documentation of your participation in Festival ticket purchase.

Last years winners were:
1st prize-Margot Giusti, 2nd prize-Mike Gaines
3rd prize-Ryan Brown, 4th prize-Gloria Barbaroto
and 5th prize-Cyd Sinks

To reserve your ticket contact Steve Belluomini or send a check to Steve at 1820 Parkview Drive San Bruno, Ca 94066 or call Gus Sinks or Bart Murphy.

Since I will be on crutches for five more weeks, I’m in need of some help with the flowers for church. I usually do them on Tuesday and Friday afternoon; if you could help me with either of those days, at whatever time suits your schedule, I’d be most grateful. Please give me a call at the rectory at 589-2800 or e-mail me at ssheral@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

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.

The anniversary of 911 invites us to prayer and reflection. You may wish to use this prayer when your family gathers for a meal this weekend.

O Lord of Compassion, who wept at the tomb of Lazarus, who mourned over the city of Jerusalem, who stretched out your hands to embrace the suffering of the world on the hard wood of the cross, draw near to us as we remember all those who lost their lives in the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

We remember those who died –office workers, firefighters, police officers, airline passengers and crews. We remember them all, entrusting them to your loving arms. We remember their families and friends, still mourning their loss. As you comforted Mary and Martha in their time of sorrow, encircle grieving families and friends with your loving care. We remember also those who, driven by misguided zeal, committed this crime against humanity. Difficult as it is for us to do, as Jesus asked from the cross, we ask you in your mercy to forgive them. We remember the people of New York, Washington, DC, and the Pennsylvania countryside. May you bless them with renewed hope and a sense of your presence. We pray for ourselves. May we set aside the fear and arrogance which divide us from others and seek the way of peace with other peoples of good will. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Archbishop Wilton Gregory, past president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, offers this reflection.“

How we define and meaning and legacy of September 11^th will determine in significant ways the role that our nation plays in shaping a more just and peaceful world.

The following questions are among those on which we and others within the Catholic community could reflect as we mark this anniversary and in the days ahead. How can we purse “peace on earth,” in a world marked by deep divisions, systemic injustice, violence and underdeveloped international institutions? How can we reject the profane use of religion to justify violence and instead, working with other churches and religions, reinforce the role of faith as a force for liberation and peace around the world? What more can be done to develop the tools of nonviolent conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace building so that we can fulfill our obligation to work for the avoidance of war? How can nations act together to protect the lives of the innocent, stop genocide and curb fundamental human rights abuses? How can we respond both to threats of terror and the roots of terror – denial of human rights and dignity, desperate poverty, hopelessness and hatred? How can we pursue genuine nuclear disarmament, not merely as an ideal but as a moral imperative? This anniversary provides an occasion to recover, renew and recommit to the challenge of peace, for much work remains to be done.” Read the full text of Archbishop Gregory’s statement “Blessed are the Peacemakers” at www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/cpanniv.htm.

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.