In the Beginning...

In today’s gospel, Jesus calls Matthew with the words, “Follow me.” For 50 years, the people, priests, and religious of St. Robert’s Parish have been responding to that same call to follow Jesus. Half a century is no small period of time, and we are blest to have with us today many people who were here in the beginning. In the beginning there was St. Bruno Church, built in 1909 to accommodate 350 parishioners when the town numbered 1,000 people. By 1947, the population of San Bruno was 10,000 seemingly growing by the day. Fr. Peter Doyle had bought property on Oak and Crystal Springs, expecting the postwar housing boom which did come. In spite of the scheduling of additional Masses, the church was consistently crowded, with many people standing outside on Sundays. But the presence of many young families evidenced an even greater need: a Catholic school. So the school was built first, with money raised by corned beef and cabbage dinners, paper drives, whist parties and dances. On September 4, 1949, St. Bruno’s School, grades 1 through 4, was dedicated by Archbishop John J. Mitty and staffed by Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee. The Sisters lived in a home lovingly prepared for them by parishioners until the convent was completed some months later; the school and number of Sisters grew year by year to include all eight grades.

With the appointment of Fr. Robert Hennessy as administrator, Masses began to be celebrated in the auditorium as well as the church and fundraising began for a new church. On June 8, 1958, Fr. Hennessy celebrated the first Mass in “The Church” which as yet, had no name. November 5, the archbishop announced that San Bruno’s new parish would be named for St. Robert of the House of God and the school’s name was also changed. In 1969, the Sisters were called back to Wisconsin. During the 1969-70 school year, Sisters of various congregations staffed the school; after much prayer by parishioners and a visit to Ireland by Fr. Hennessy, the Sisters of the Presentation arrived in 1970. In time, the Sisters also directed the Religious Education program and Ministry to the Sick. How blest we are to still have the Presentation Sisters with us! Sr. Patricia O’Sullivan visits the sick; Sr. Antonio Heafey serves the Sisters as their provincial; Sr. Vianney Buckley is in retirement; and one of the original Sisters, Sr. Ita Cleary, is in active retirement here.

The parishioners are, of course, the heart of the parish. We are a wonderful mix of old-timers with their wisdom and newcomers with their energy! We are probably one of the few parishes to have some students in St. Robert’s School who are third generation. We are rightfully known as a parish with deep spirituality, boundless generosity, and lots of socials. Many people come to daily Mass and Communion services, pray the rosary and Our Lady of Perpetual Help devotions; ongoing Scripture study and adult religious education have faithful attendees as well. The Legion of Mary brings Holy Communion to the homebound. Our confirmation process nurtures young adults in the faith and our RCIA process welcomes and guides those adults wanting to become Catholic or to receive their confirmation. Caregivers’ workshops offer support for those caring for elders and Consolation Ministry assists those who are grieving . Our St. Vincent de Paul Society provides food and financial help to those in need; our newest effort, Friends Helping Friends, will complement their good work. Many parishioners serve meals at Café St. Vincent and help at the Catholic Worker. The Women’s Guild, the Men’s Club, the InBetweeners, the Grownups and the Fil-Am. sponsor crab feeds, luncheons, dinners and trips to exciting places.

We priests, lay ministers, deacons, and sisters who are privileged to serve here as staff are most grateful to all of you, parish leaders and colleagues in ministry, who have made St. Robert’s Parish a community where all are welcome and we help each other to follow the Lord.