St. Robert's Church Bulletin, December 12, 1999

St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
DECEMBER 12, 1999
Third Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

As we prepare for the great Feast of Christmas, may I suggest that the Prayer of St. Francis become our daily prayer in the next few weeks. I believe that it will put things in proper perspective as we run around doing all the things that we normally associate with this season - gifts, parties, cards, etc.

LORD MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE.
WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE;
WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON;
WHERE THERE IS DISCORD, UNITY;
WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH;
WHERE THERE IS ERROR, TRUTH;
WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, HOPE;
WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, JOY;
WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT.

O DIVINE MASTER, GRANT THAT I MAY
NOT SO MUCH SEEK
TO BE CONSOLED, AS TO CONSOLE;
TO BE UNDERSTOOD, AS TO UNDERSTAND;
TO BE LOVED, AS TO LOVE.

FOR
IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE.
IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED.
IT IS IN DYING THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE.

If we say this prayer each day before Christmas, we will find a true inner peace.

Father Ring

TAKE THE PLUNGE!

In today’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist says that he is just a "voice...crying out...make straight the way of the Lord." John was obviously very effective in preparing people to meet Jesus. People from the whole countryside and also from the great city of Jerusalem took the plunge--the baptism--into the Jordan River as a sign of their desire to repent of their sins and to straighten out their lives.

What about us?

Take the plunge! John the Baptist calls us, today, to prepare the way for the Lord to enter our hearts. On Saturday, Dec. 18th, at 3pm, St. Robert’s is having a parish Penance service. Another service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 21st at 7:30pm.

Our Lord gave us this great Sacrament of forgiveness on the day He rose from the dead. Let’s answer the Prophet’s call and be cleansed spiritually so that we’ll be prepared to meet the Lord. Especially if it’s been a long time since you last went to Confession, give the Lord this gift of opening your heart and letting Him back into your life. You will be eternally grateful!

--Fr. Mark Taheny

Monday	6:30	Todd Aiello †
	8:30	Todd Fanti †
Tuesday	6:30	Lawrence Stafford †
	8:30	Violet Teeley †
Wednesday	6:30	Vincent Correa †
	8:30	Ronal Yoest †
Thursday	6:30	Rustica Cotreros †
	8:30	Enese Parenti †
Friday	6:30	Margaret Marucco †
	8:30	Timothy Leahy †
Saturday	8:30	Pasquale & Maria Teresa Aloise †
	4:30	People of St. Robert's
Sunday	7:30	Bernardo Mocelin †
	9:00	Joseph Schembri †
	10:30	Carlo Giovanni Foti †
	12:00	Angelo Mezzetta †
	5:30	Sam Vella †

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY, FOURTH OF ADVENT
2 Samuel 7:1-16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

IN THE HOUSE OF GOD

"Radical Christian Hospitality"

This Christmas, we expect many people to worship at St. Robert’s who do not usually come here for Sunday Eucharist. The parking lots and church will be crowded for each Mass. The theme for the past season of RENEW was "Reaching Out." Let’s see how well we can reach out to the many unfamiliar people who will join us this Christmas. Let’s practice "radical hospitality." If you are able to walk, leave the parking spaces near the church for those who really need them. Make room in the pews. Welcome our young adults home from college. Let’s be happy instead of upset that our church is so full. Hopefully some visitors will be touched by the Spirit of Christian hospitality and want to come back - Pat Kelly

*We welcome into the family of God: Kayla McLoughlin, who was baptized in Christ.
*We are pleased to have married: Sabrina Kirkland & Jason Ames.Congratulations.

*We pray for the ill: Tony Coogan, Koret Koelman, Terry McLeod, Adela Florez, Ana Cosgaya, Peter Capodonicco, Rosemary McHale, Arthur Candia, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Muriel Krause, Sister Cabrini, Don Vickery, Jeanne McHugh, Catherine Cook, Ann Burns, Imelda Daly, Margarita Velez, Marky, Marlyn Arancibia, Marcia Bourne, Sandra Dill, & Randall Guerro.

*We pray for the repose of the soul of: Lawrence Joyce and Robert Samuelsen

As a Parish Community, We Pray

For Christians everywhere. Through the intercession of our Lady of Guadalupe, may Jesus transform us into his mercy and compassion in the world.

CALENDARS FOR THE YEAR 2000
are available at all doors of the Church.

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES

Jesus came to reconcile us to Our Father. He gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) as a means of bringing us back to our God by asking forgiveness for anything we have done that separates us from Him and from one another. We have the opportunity of receiving this Sacrament on:

Saturday, December 18 at 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Jesus is knocking at the doors of our hearts; let us open wide the doors to Him by confessing our sins and asking His forgiveness.

KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION

Applications for St. Robert School Kindergarten for the 2000/2001school year will be accepted in the School Office Monday-Friday, Jan. 10 through the 14th, between 9-3PM. The screening fee for each applicant is $25.

Please bring copies of your child’s birth and baptismal records, a recent family photograph and your child’s social security number. Screening dates will be assigned on completion of the application.

Requirements for School Registration: Family must be registered and participating members of St. Robert’s or St. Bruno’s Parish. This means that the family is involved in Parish life and the financial support of the Parish. Applications will be accepted for children who are 5 years of age by Sept. 1, 2000. All acceptances will be based on student screenings and parent interviews.

Non-Discrimination Policy - St. Robert School, mindful of its mission to be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs & activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. St. Robert School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color & national and/or ethnic origin in adminstration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship & loan programs & athletic & other school-administered programs.

Open House - Monday, Jan. 31st, 7PM - Church.

MEMORIAL POINSETTIAS

Christmas Poinsettias will decorate the Church during the Christmas Season. If you would like to make a donation of $10 (please make check out to St. Robert’s, Poinsettia’s Fund) toward their purchase in memory of a loved one, please fill out the form in the bulletin and return it to the Parish Office by December 23rd. A memorial list will be published in the bulletin.

GIFTS FOR THE HOMEBOUND

During this busy shopping season, please remember our sisters and brothers who are confined to their homes or nursing homes. Small acts of kindness bring Jesus’ love to these precious members of our Parish family who are unable to worship with us by their physical presence...they are always with us in spirit. Some suggestions are: slippers, robes, dusters, sweaters, lap robes, nightgowns, pajamas, knee socks. We ask that these gifts be new, not used. Please put your gift in the baskets placed on our altar steps before December 17th so that Sister Ita and her helpers can wrap and distrubute them.

SOCIABLES....Our next get-together will be at Marie Callander’s for a Christmas brunch on December 12th. For reservations, please call Bunny Moniz. Marie Callander’s is in Serramonte.

WOMEN’S GUILD.....Please join us on Dec. 13th for some Christmas Cheer, Dessert and Coffee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Christmas Carolers from 7-8 p.m. For reservations call Angie Mullady. Price is $6.00 per person.

IN-BETWEENERS NEW YEARS EVE DINNER DANCE....Bring in the millennium at the In-betweeners New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance. Cost is $150.00 per couple and limited reservations are available. Call George Lynch for tickets and further information.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13TH
6-10PM, Women’s Guild.....Hall
7:30-9PM, St. Vincent de Paul.....Library

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
6:45-8PM, Religious Ed.....Hall
6:30-8PM, Legion of Mary ....Library
7-9PM, Youth.....Hall/Kitchen
7:30-9PM, Festival.....7th Gr. Classroom

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15TH
7-9PM, Youth.....Hall/Kitchen

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16TH
7-9PM, RCIA....Chapel
7-9PM, Parish Council.....Library
7-9PM, Advent Program.....Church

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18TH
All Day, Marriage Encounter.....Hall

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19TH
10-11:30AM, Fil/Am Choir.....Hall