St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
March 25, 2007
Fifth Sunday of Lent

As most of you know I was diagnosed with multiple cancers of the head, neck, chest and lymph system in May 2005. I asked all of you at the time to keep me in your hearts and prayers as I began this new and challenging journey. A little over two weeks ago, after a nuclear body scan, I was informed that my cancer is in full remission. I am presently being treaded for severe neuropathy of the legs and for a persistent lung infection as a result of the cancer treatments. The doctors assure me that these conditions will be successfully addressed.

In last Sunday’s bulletin Father Paul reminded us “to never underestimate the power of prayer, that prayer does tremendous things, we are called to put our faith and trust in God, that God listens to our prayers, to be patient in prayer and that good things come to those who wait.” Love and prayers and faith can and do move mountains.

I can’t begin to count the number of people from so many different backgrounds and locations who assailed heaven and earth on my behalf. I am eternally grateful to you for your gentle kindnesses and enthusiastic encouragement. Your faith and hope sustained me during my own times of doubt and confusion.

I discovered early in my priesthood that as a servant-leader I am first your brother in faith and that those I serve will teach me how to serve them. I discovered too that if I remain teachable that you will lead me by example to a deeper conversion and intimacy with Christ. Thank you for your inspiring example. I want to become more a man of prayer and a more hopeful disciple because of you.

These waning days of Lent remind me that Jesus gave meaning to human suffering. We celebrate this Easter that all human suffering leads to resurrection joy for those who see all things with Jesus’ “cardiovision.” Please know that I carry you in my heart and prayers always with grateful joy.

The Annual Chrism Mass
will be celebrated this year
Tuesday, April 3rd
in the Cathedral of
St. Mary of the Assumption
at 5:30 p.m.

Monday - March 12
Readings: Is 7:10-14,8-10     Heb 10:4-10     Lk 1:26-38

Tuesday - March 13
Readings: Nm 21:4-9     Jn 8:21-30

Wednesday - March 14
Readings: Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95     Jn 8:31-42

Thursday - March 15
Readings: Gn 17:3-9     Jn 8:51-59

Friday - March 16
Readings: Jer 20:10-13     Jn 10:31-42

Saturday - March 17
Readings: Ez 37:21-28     Jn 11:45-56

Sunday - March 18
Readings: Is 50:4-7     Phil 2:6-11     Lk 22:14—23:56

As a Parish Community we pray …....that leaders and people of all nations will be filled with a spirit of reverence toward all life from the first moment of conception until the final breath is drawn.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Walt William Rosenberg
Clyde Oscar Rosenberg
Eric James Doty
Morgan Michelle Doty

Our sincere sympathy to the families of
George Fiefel,
Robert James Smith,
Henry Verna &
Aime Hourcade
who died recently.

CONSLATION MINISTRY

Saint Robert’s Grief Support Group in the Convent Chapel from 3-4:15 p.m. (before the 4:30 p.m. Mass). Anyone who is suffering from the loss of a loved one: spouse, sibling, child, parent, friend or relative is invited to come and pray, share, comfort and be comforted. You are invited to bring a companion for support and strength. God bless and comfort you in your sorrow. Call Sister Patricia 589-0104 or any of the Consolation Ministry Committee.

ST. ROBERT'S 22ND ANNUAL
GOLF TOURNAMENT AND DINNER DANCE

Sunday, April 28th, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame
Tee Time 7:30am
$185.00 per person: four man best ball format
tee prizes, 1/2 cart, goodie bag
Dinner for two doors open at 6:30 and dancing until midnight

If you have a foursome or you are just a single we are looking for you!!!!!!!

Make your check payable to St. Robert's Men's Club.
Send your reservations to Vico Piccinini c/o Stefano, 4th grade,
or call Vico Piccinini or Matt Gaines.

REMEMBERING ARCHBISHOP ROMERO

I have frequently been threatened with death. I should tell you that as a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will come to life again in the Salvadoran people. If they kill me, from this moment I offer my blood to God for the redemption and resurrection of El Salvador. My death will be for the liberation of my people and as a testimony of hope for the future.

(Oscar Romero, assassinated Mar. 24, 1980)

MEMORIAL EASTER FLOWERS

Easter flowers will decorate the Church during the Easter Season. If you would like to make a donation of $10 toward their purchase in memory of a loved one, please fill out the form below and return it to the Parish Office by April 2nd. A memorial list will be published in the bulletin.

LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE

During our spiritual life, often we fall. Falls—great and small—can and do offer us an opportunity to grow closer to our God, provided we are sincerely repentant. Jesus says to each of us: “Come to Me all who are heavily burdened; I will refresh you”. We have a simple, but wonderful means to do this—the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We come together as Parish family to confess our sins; receive God’s merciful forgiveness; be reconciled to Him and return home burden-free and filled with joy. Our Lenten Penance Service will take place on Tuesday, March 27th, at 7:30 pm.

All are invited to the Church for Stations at 6:00 pm each Friday during Lent. After this time of reflection and prayer, we will go to Hennessy Hall to share a sacrificial meal of soup. salad, bread and fruit. We ask that you give what you would have spent on your Friday dinner to our St. Vincent de Paul Society. They will use it to provide food to our sisters and brothers in need. There will be a basket for your donation on the serving table. We come together for:

On Friday, March 30th, our 5:00pm Choir will lead the Stations and the Women's Guild will host the supper.

A LENTEN TENEBRAE SERVICE

The Journey to the Cross
Palm Sunday
April 1st at 3 p.m.
St. Roberts Church
Kevin Imbimbo-Conductor
Jim Dahlstrom-Accompanist
Choristers from several Peninsula Churches

Join us for a service of darkness that takes us from Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem to his crucifixion. This service of word and music sets the mood for the most significant week for the Liturgical Year, and helps to prepare us for the Easter celebration ahead. A reception will follow in the vestibule.

GOOD FRIDAY WALK
April 6th

Join the members of the 6:30 a.m. daily Mass on their 14th annual silent walk up to the top of Junipero Serra Park in San Bruno (weather permitting). Meet at 6:30 a.m. sharp in St. Robert’s parking lot (Crystal Springs Avenue side). Wear layered clothing and sturdy shoes. All ages are welcomed. Our approximate time of return to the parking lot is 8:30 a.m.

Hope you can join us for this beautiful walk.

PALM SUNDAY

The Children’s Liturgy Team is looking for Children (5 years of age and older) to be a part of our annual Palm Sunday presentation of the Gospel at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on April 1st. Rehearsals will be in the church on Monday, March 26th, Wednesday, March 28th and Friday March 30th. Rehearsals will be from 4-5 p.m. each day. Children can sign up on Sunday March 25th, after the 9:30 Mass in Little Church or call the rectory at 589-2800.

     
During this time of repentance and reflection on our lives, we want to stay open to the blessings God showers on us. Often someone or some event outside of ourselves will lead us to the change of heart we seek. Last Sunday was one of those blessed days for our parish. At the 11:30 am Mass, many of us had the privilege of witnessing a young woman’s ecstasy at the prospect of receiving Communion for the first time. She had wanted to make her First Communion for a long time, but the parish where she lives required her to participate in the regular classes for preparation. Since she is a special person in more ways than one, she found the classes and the book way too much. Having lived with several sisters who have worked with special needs students, I recalled that the Church only requires that the person only know that the Eucharist is Jesus. So her cousin, Lynda Welch, helped her to take the simple steps necessary. For weeks, Christine had repeatedly told her, “I’m going to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus.” Sunday, her longing was fulfilled. If only each of us could have such a desire for the Lord!

At 2 pm, many of you welcomed Rabbi Dan Feder and some of his Sholom community; Pastor Gail Cromack, her marvelous choir and others from Peace Lutheran; Rev. Steve Brown and members of the Church of the Nazarene; our Thai Buddhist neighbors down the block; Iftekhar Hai, director of the United Muslims of America Interfaith Alliance; and Yucel Durak, the Turkish Muslim coordinator for Intercultural Dialogue. I am so grateful to all of you who came! As heard the readings from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, I was struck by how similar they all are. As the Buddhist chant flowed over me, I was reminded of the Gregorian chant we did as Franciscan novices 40 years ago. When we prayed for peace together and for a change of heart, we could actually feel our unity. Hopefully, this won’t be the last gathering of people of faith. As Brother David Steindl-Rast, OSB prays, “Build bridges across all that divides us; united, make us rejoice in our diversity. As one in our witness to your peace, a rainbow of your glory.”

Peace, S. Sheral

SUNDAY COLLECTI

    
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.

There is no cost to you for this service.

ANNUAL APPEAL

2007 CENTERPLATE SIGN UP

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Mass

Sunday, 7:30 a.m. Mass

Sunday, 5:00 p.m. Mass