I hope that you will all be able to join the Parish Community at one of the Christmas Masses. The Celebrant at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day will be the retired Archbishop of San Francisco, John R. Quinn. This will certainly be a great occasion in our Parish history.

Please be as generous as possible in the Christmas collection. This collection makes possible many of the Parish programs and services. May I suggest that you come early to the Masses on Christmas Eve. So often many of our regular parishioners come too late to obtain seating. This is especially true at the 4:30 p.m and Midnight Masses.

Do not forget that Sunday, December 26th, is the Feast of the Holy Family. It should be a special day of prayer for all families of our Parish as we confront the pressures that are causing the break-up of the family unit within our society.

A few days ago, Pope John Paul said that "the Great Jubilee is a privileged occasion to promote around the world ever more mature forms of respect for the life and dignity of each person. I therefore renew my appeal to all leaders to reach an international consensus to abolish the death penalty, given that the cases of absolute necessity for executing malefactors are by now so rare, if not practically, non-existent." To emphasize his strong feelings on the issue, he announced that during the Jubilee Year, the Roman Colosseum will be lit up during the day with special gold lights each time that a condemned person is spared the death penalty.

Fr. Girzone has written several books. The Homecoming, his most recent, has just reached the bookshelves. This time the book deals with Jesus return as He visits many places in the United States and ends with an unlikely group of heroes in San Francisco.

Is there an individual or family who would appreciate a very special gift? A spiritual gift? Something that could challenge them in the near future? Why not consider a book with a Spiritual theme?

May all of us have a faith filled Christmas and New Year. May the Holy Spirit watch over and protect us. And most especially may we see and feel the presence of Jesus in our lives.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY, FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:22-40

IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
"Christmas Presence"

In the past few years, I have more and more admired folks who are "people-oriented" more than "task-oriented"—that is, people who are more attentive to other people before them than to the "things-to-do" list. The world surely needs both types of personalities. I definitely tend toward "task" work, so I appreciate the gifts of "people" people and try to remember to balance out the Mary and Martha within me. I hope our best Christmas "presence" this year will be the presence we have either to the person or task at hand, especially when it comes to worship of God and love of neighbor. Our faith in the Word becoming flesh demands both reverent awe and joyful hospitality—presence to God, others, and the work at hand. - Pat Kelly

*We welcome into the family of God: Victoria Salem, who was baptized in Christ.

*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.

For some of us, it has been a long time since we last received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What a better way to open wide the doors of our hearts to Christ than to come together as family to confess our sins; ask Our Father’s forgiveness and receive His love. Our final celebration of this Sacrament for this century will take place on:

Applications for St. Robert School Kindergarten for the 2000/2001 school 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.

POSITION AVAILABLE....St. Robert School is currently looking for part-time personnel to assist with their Extended Care Program. If you would be interested in working in a wonderful environment with outstanding staff and students, please contact the school office at 583-5065. Thank you

SCRIP....order forms are available in the vestibule, rectory or school office. Support our school! Developing funds for Developing minds.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST
6:30-8PM, Legion of Mary ....Library
7:30PM, Communal Penance Service.....Church

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23RD
7-9PM, RCIA....Chapel