Thank you for your extraordinary hospitality these past few years. I have felt part of our parish family from the very beginning.
Thank you for your unceasing love and prayers that encouraged and supported me each day.
Thank you for teaching me the Ministry of Suffering and the Ministry of Healing.
Thank you for your heroic example in word and deed of faithful discipleship.
Thank you for leading me to a deeper conversion and intimacy with Jesus.

I send you this heartfelt poem as an expression of my deep affection and gratitude.

God love you; I do!
Father Joe Healy

Our sincere sympathy to the families of
Dolores Collins,
John Barbaria and
Roland Herrera
who died recently.

Please join us for our Thanksgiving Mass.
We will give thanks to the Lord on Thanksgiving Day,
Thursday, November 22nd, at 8:30 am.

Let us gather together as family at the Lord’s table
to share the meal He has prepared for us—
His bread of life and His cup of salvation.
Fellowship and refreshments will follow.

Our Marthas need help! Would you like to serve Jesus and our St. Robert’s Family by working behind the scenes, taking care of the little (but essential) things that make our Eucharistic celebration run smoothly. When asked why they perform this ministry, our Marthas reply: “I don’t like being in the forefront, but I want to serve”; “I like working behind the scenes”; “Working in His house helps me feel closer to Jesus”. If you are interested, please call Gene or Anna May.

YOU ARE NEEDED!

You’ll notice that the environment shifts as we enter this month, remembering in a special way those who have died, “marked with the sign of faith.” In addition to the photos and mementos at Mary’s shrine, we will also have reminders of the rhythm of all life which we see in nature. The pumpkins and gourds of harvest time have reached their fullness as have our beloved dead, gathered into the arms of our loving God.

Dinner Dance Tickets on sale this weekend

AT ALL THE MASSES!!!

Call Annetta Giambruno
for further information.

The Sun of Justice
The readings for this weekend startle us into listening. Malachi, as all the prophets, calls the people to task, reminding them of the day of judgment. The image of devastating fire recalls the destruction of last month blazes in the southland. But they and we also need to hear the last part: "But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays." The Sun of Justice is the same One in Luke's gospel who promises us, "Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives." This passage from the gospel sounds all too familiar as we read the morning papers and hear of one tragedy after another. The temple in Jerusalem and the city itself had already been destroyed when Luke's gospel is being written, so it seems as though their world is falling apart. Some of us might have had a similar experience when our faith was tried by the death of a friend, the loss of a job we loved, or disillusionment with a close relationship we thought was mutual. Jesus is warning us of quick fixes or false promises. He is trying to assure us that in the midst of whatever threatens to tear our world apart, he will be with us. This type of reading, called apocalyptic, is actually meant to encourage those who were being persecuted. They took heart from Jesus' promises in the middle of their trials.

In this season of the starkness of nature, barren trees, and chilly nights, we might ask ourselves, "How ready am I for my personal day of judgment?" What aspects of my own life need changing so that I can hear these words as consoling rather than frightening? No matter how much I fill up my days with busyness and distractions, ultimately, I must give an account of my stewardship.

One place to begin is with a sense of gratitude. If I can pause at the beginning of the day, grateful for the gift of life, I will be less likely to take the people I interact with or the material blessings of the day for granted. The people and the blessings are gifts from our God who is compassionate beyond all measure. If God is this way with us, how can we be other than generous and forgiving to the people around us? Judging from the overflowing Thanksgiving food baskets and your great generosity at Christmas, many of you already have the practice of passing on to others what God gives to you. Thank you for your goodness.

Peace and every blessing,
S. Sheral

P.S. This Tuesday at 9:15 am in Mary's Chapel, we'll discuss what we learned from our visit with the monks at the Thai Buddhist temple. I've invited the woman who was to be our presenter there to be with us that day. If you weren't able to visit the temple, but would like to learn a bit about Buddhism, please join us. We will not have a session on Nov. 27.