This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent. We will be lighting the second candle of our Advent Wreath which represents Peace. Our 7th Graders will be leading us at the 9:30a.m. Mass. After the Mass, the 8th graders and their parents will be selling "Cinnamon Rolls" for $5. All proceeds will subsidize the class of 2024's Educational Trip to Washington, DC.

2. We have two great events coming up tomorrow.

• Breakfast with Santa starts at 8:30a.m. and ends at 10:30a.m. at the Hennessy Hall, sponsored by our Women's Guild.
• Our third Magnificat Concert starts at 7:00p.m. in the church. This Advent concert is St. Robert's exclusive production featuring our school's newly formed Liturgical and Concert choirs, and our parish Exultate choir. It will showcase a cast of 50+ seasoned musicians, including soloists from all over the country. You can buy tickets at the gate for only $30. Don't miss the concert. Invite your friends and relatives.

This Sunday, December 10, from 1:00-4:00p.m. at the Hennessy Hall, our St. Robert's Youth Ministry is hosting a Christmas party for all Youth Members, especially those helping the parish through their service as altar servers, choir members, and community service volunteers. It will be an afternoon of potluck, games and lots of fun.

School tidbits:

• Our 6th graders just came back today from their out-of-campus educational trip to Caritas Creek, CYO Camp in Occidental, CA. Before they left last Monday, I went to the bus to give them a blessing before their departure.
• This Monday, December 11, at 6:00p.m., in the church, is the school's Kidstock Christmas presentation.
• Next Friday, December 15, is the last day of school for the year. They have a noon dismissal.

We have started erecting the foundation of our St. Joseph's shrine behind the church in the area we now call St. Joseph Woods. We already ordered the beautiful statue of St. Joseph with the little Jesus in his arms. Hopefully, it will arrive early next year, before March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph. Thanks to our anonymous sponsors!

Thanks to Brooke Nizuk and family for once again putting up the Christmas lights in front of the church. With some helpers, they also did the outside Christmas lights in the school. The Christmas spirit of generosity and service is in the air!

Our Saint Vincent de Paul Society wishes to thank you for your generous contributions and undying support to their ministry. Last Thursday, as they do every second Thursday of the month, they delivered groceries to 21-23 poor families in our neighborhood.

The Grief and Consolation Ministry held their regular meeting last Thursday, followed by a Christmas party. Seventeen (17) people came to the meeting. The ministry is indeed growing. We thank Judy Kerrigan for her hard work and leadership and for persevering in her service to our church.

Fil-Am Group will be having a meeting next Tuesday, December 12th, at 7:00p.m. at the parish convent. This is an important meeting to discuss and finalize the upcoming Simbang Gabi, December 15-23. Please attend to contribute to our Simbang Gabi this year.

Our Parish Financial Council has released our Annual Financial Report.

Today, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis appoints three (3) new auxiliary bishops of Philadelphia. They are Rev. Keith J. Chylinski, Rev. Christopher R. Cooke, and Rev. Efren V. Esmilla, all priests from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Bishop-Elect Esmilla is the fourth Filipino bishop to serve in the US. Question: When is San Francisco going to have an auxiliary bishop? Answer: I don't know! Question: When am I going to become a bishop? Answer: That will be the end of the world.

Fr. Arnold