"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan." - Mark 1:12-13

"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert"
How odd of the Spirit to do such a harsh thing to Jesus! It sounds like He didn’t want to go there. Yet He was so attuned to the Spirit of God that He knew he must go. God set his agenda. This Lent, this Easter, this Jubilee Year, am I allowing the Holy Spirit to set my agenda, no matter how difficult it might appear to be? Have I a clue as to what God wants for me? Am I listening?

"and he remained in the desert for forty days"
I might relish the idea of getting away to a place of solitude for a week or so. It would be a great escape. But for forty days?! After a week, solitude fades into boredom. Silence opens into a great, empty chasm. And the desert was no plush retreat center, either! Jesus was not on a great "getaway" vacation or even a comfortable retreat when He was driven into the desert. He was seeking something and determined to remain until He found it. He was not escaping, but engaging himself in spiritual quest. Will I remain in the desert even after the novelty wears off? Will I remain through the boredom, loneliness, hunger and thirst? Will God ever respond?

"tempted by Satan."
And just when I think I am home free, a stumbling block comes along. Will I persevere? Will God give me the grace to know the difference between God’s voice, my voice, and the voice of the evil one? In my quest, will I settle for something less than what I know God wants?

Friends, let’s pray this Lent especially for participants in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) as they prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. Remember our Lenten theme: WE ARE ONE BODY, ONE BODY IN CHRIST. We need each other, and we are here for each other. Even when it seems we must walk some path alone, we know that Jesus (and probably someone else in this community) has already walked it, so WE DO NOT WALK ALONE.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY,
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Genesis 22:1-18; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10

IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
"The Eucharistic Prayer"

*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, Denise Hawald, Cyndy Smerdel, Theresa Cook, Marina Buhain, Anthony Arrahoo & Rita Gomez.

All are invited to the Church for Stations at 6PM each Friday during Lent. After this time of reflection and prayer, share a sacrificial meal of pasta, salad, bread & fruit with our St. Robert’s family. We ask that you give what you would have spent on your Friday dinner to our St. Vincent de Paul Socieity. They will use it to provide food where it is most needed. There will be a basket in Hennessy Hall for your gift.

ST. PATRICKS DAY

For the Solemnity of St. Patrick, Friday, March 17th, I am announcing a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence for the faithful who may be bound by it.

The Docent program of St. Mary’s Cathedral invites you to a Morning of Recollection on Tuesday, March 21st in the Cathedral Conference Center.

Father Milt Walsh will present Lenten reflections centering around the theme: "Jesus—Why did He die?" Talks will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude with 12:10 Mass in the Cathedral.

WOMEN’S GUILD....Join us on March 13th, for our dinner/meeting. Lots of business-Fashion Show preview & elections for nominating committee. Make your reservations by calling Angie Mullady. Price is $11.00.

Also from Women’s Guild.... Celebrate Mass with the Women of St. Robert’s Parish, Sunday, March 26th at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Champagne Breakfast immediately following. Waffles, fresh fruit, eggs, chicken sausage. To be held at Angela’s Cafe and Deli, Broadway Ave. in Millbrae. $15 a person. Call Lori Burns for reservations or more information. (Angela’s is opening just for us, so please come!)

ST. ROBERT’S FASHION SHOW AND DINNER DANCE....Pack your bags and climb aboard "The Love Boat" on Saturday evening, April 8th, 2000, when St. Robert’s Women’s Guild sets sail for an elegant evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. Join us for dinner, dancing, fashions, entertainment, raffle prizes and a special drawing to win a cruise! Special round trip senior’s shuttle leaving from St. Robert’s. For more information call 589-2800.

ODDS"N"ENDS

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 14TH
6:30-8PM, Legion of Mary.....Library
6:45-8PM, Religious Education .....Hall

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15TH
7-9PM, Graduation Mtg.....7th Gr. Classroom
7-9PM, Youth Mtg.....Hall

THURSDAY, MARCH 16TH
7-9PM, RCIA.....Chapel

FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH
6:00 p.m., Stations.....Church
5-7PM, Soup Supper.....Hall

SATURDAY, MARCH 18TH
7-11PM, St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance.....Hall