St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
August 26, 2007
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

WELCOME BACK FROM SUMMER VACATION!!!

The teachers have been preparing the classrooms for the students’ return. The floors are waxed and the paint on the outside of the building has been touched up. The first day of school each year is signified by new beginnings. It is the first day in a new grade and with a new teacher. Students have on their new uniforms and shoes with new backpacks. There are new goals and dreams for the school year. Wouldn’t it be wonderful as adults to have the chance of renewal every fall and to evaluate one’s goals and dreams?

As I begin my fourth year as Principal at St. Roberts School, I am still amazed at the dedication and concern parents have for the well being of their children. It is evident at the start of each school year, when the whole parish unites for the Festival. Parishioners give countless hours in the planning and executing of the Parish Festival. This year’s Festival carries special significance as we kick-off to Parish’s 50th Jubilee.

Yvonne Olcomendy

As a Parish Community we pray …we pray for those who have lost heart and are discouraged and for those who contemplate suicide. May they be encouraged to persevere, knowing that God is with them drawing them to Himself.

     
Eucharistic Adoration

On Saturday, September 1st, and on each First Saturday, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in our Church. The Eucharist is truly a Sacrament of Love-A Sacrament that not only demonstrates Jesus’ love for each of us; but gives us the grace we need to love God and our neighbor. God longs to be with us in the Eucharist. Come to the 8:30 a.m. Mass, receive Jesus’ Body and Blood and remain afterwards to spend a little time with Jesus. He is waiting!

Men's Club

Men's Club will be holding the first meeting of the year on "Wednesday" September 5th in Hennessey Hall, doors open at 6:15 p.m. All men of the parish are invited to attend.

Wednesday Night Scripture Study Class

Wednesday night Scripture Study Class will resume on September 12th at 7:30 p.m. in the Convent Chapel. We will study “Women in the Old Testament” All are welcome to attend. Please contact Sister Ita at 583-2544.

Women's Guild

Women's Guild September Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 13th. All women of the parish are welcome to attend, festivities begin at 6:30 in Hennessey Hall.

BBQ and Food Booth needs your help. Please call the Downs Family at (650) 588-1927 or email them at: noniepapadowns@aol.com. Time is getting closer—your help is urgently needed.

also
Bottle Sunday is Back!
September 9th and 16th

Please bring in any unopened bottles of wine or liquor as a dontation for the Liquor and the Wine & Cheese booths.

12th Annual
FOR HIGH ROLLERS ONLY!

Great odds in winning. 5 Winners out of 200 tickets!!!
COST OF EACH TICKET $50.00 — 200 TICKETS TO BE SOLD.

***PRIZES***
1st Prize:    $2,000
2nd Prize:  $1,000
3rd Prize:   $   500
4th Prize:    $   500
5th Prize:    $   500

RAFFLE DATE IS SEPTEMBER 23, 2007
TO GET YOUR TICKETS CALL ASAP THE FOLLOWING:

Steve Belluomini, Gus Sinks, Bart Murphy,
Greg & Irene Taylor, Sharon DeMartini,
Andy & Donna Ferris, Dennis Dorn,
Jim & Cathy Brown

This invitation gives you a head start to plan how you want to spend your festival donations! The list of HIGH ROLLERS ticket buyers will be given to the Parish for documentation of your participation in Festival ticket purchase. To reserve your $50.00 ticket, contact me or one of the parishioners above as soon as possible!

LAST YEAR’S WINNERS WERE…
          1st Prize  - Rina Fenech
          2nd Prize - Ed DeLa Torre
          3rd Prize  - Mars Cadiz
          4th Prize   - Julio Bolivar
          5th Prize   - Bernadine Fornesi

So don’t wait, reserve your tickets now! Again only 200 tickets will be sold!

Steve Belluomini
Chairperson, High Roller Raffle

You can mail you check to Steve Belluomini ($50.00 per ticket, check payable to St. Robert’s) at 1820 Parkview Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066.

P.S. As soon as I get back from vacation I will mail your tickets back.
Thanks and Good Luck this year!

Our Notion of Salvation
The readings this weekend address an important question: who will be saved? Some of us grew up contributing to the missions, so that “pagan babies” would be baptized and, therefore, saved. One of the major shifts in the Church’s understanding of her role in God’s plan took place in regard to missionaries and their work. As Richard Leonard, SJ puts it in Preaching to the Converted, “The Second Vatican Council...reflected on the church's experience of working side by side with religious people and secular humanists throughout the world who were as committed as we are to justice, love and freedom. In the "Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to non-Christian Religions," the bishops thought more generously about how God has a relationship with all people who in turn relate to God, even if they do not name [God] in the same way we are able to. The council did not draw back from believing that Jesus is the way to the Father, but it also affirmed that God can work in an infinite number of ways to assist people to salvation. It is church teaching now that our relationship to all people who share the best of our values must be characterized by acceptance, collaboration, dialogue and charity.” (p. 329)

The admonition of Jesus in the gospel, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate” may be confusing to us who believe that salvation is God’s free gift, and has nothing to do with “earning” heaven. Commentators agree that this refers to God’s respecting our freedom to respond or not to the gift we are offered.

Social Concerns Group
Our parish Social Concerns Group will meet THIS Tuesday, the 28th at 7 pm in Mary’s Chapel. Come find out what we’re about as we discuss pending legislation about SCHIP, the state children’s health initiative, and the Farm Bill which includes food stamps, school nutrition and farm subsidies.

The Power of Welcoming
Last Sunday after the 9:30 Mass, I had the opportunity to talk with two women from Brazil who now live in the area. One of them came with her good friend who is a parishioner here, but she herself has no particular faith tradition. She told me twice how excited she was to have been welcomed warmly with a smile. She will definitely be back next week and may enroll in the RCIA to explore our faith more fully. Thank you to everyone who embodies our reputation for hospitality!

The Islamic Faith
Due to people’s schedules, the Tuesday morning class on Islam will begin Sept. 18 at 9:15 a.m. in Mary’s Chapel. We’re a pretty casual group, so even if you can’t commit to every Tuesday, you’re most welcome. If there are 4 or 5 of you who cannot come during the day, but would be available for evening sessions, please call me or e-mail me at ssheral@saintroberts.org, and I’ll be happy to set up a weekly evening class.

Peace, S. Sheral

     
Classes will resume on Monday, August 27th, from 8am to 10:30 am. Welcome Back Breakfast will follow the 8:30 am Mass.

SCRIP

Now through September 4th—Register your Safeway Cards at www.escrip.com and St. Robert’s will get 10% of your purchase price. If you are not registered, send your Safeway receipts to St. Robert’s school or church when shopping between 9/10—10/6! Thank you for your continued support.

SUNDAY COLLECTION

ANNUAL APPEAL

As of 7-24-2007 339 parishioners have donated $81,712.80

    
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.

2007 CENTERPLATE SIGN UP

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Mass

Sunday, 7:30 a.m. Mass

Sunday, 5:00 p.m. Mass