Anyone who has gone through the RCIA knows that even though the weekly meetings do come to an end, it really is a beginning to a faith filled life and ongoing journey with Christ through prayer, Eucharist and community. Each year, at our last meeting, we ask the group to write a letter to the community about their experience. Below are a few quotes from our 17 newly initiated members from 1999/2000. Please continue to pray for them and for those who will be joining the RCIA this year.

"I was a little apprehensive at first, but after my first RCIA meeting, I knew I made the right decision. I felt very welcomed by the group." " I did not fear not knowing about the faith because we all had opportunities to ask questions and to be educated." "When we went to Church and noticed how everyone acknowledged the RCIA members, it felt like we belonged to one big happy family." "It was important to know that the community of St. Robert’s was praying for us." "I thank the RCIA team for opening my eyes to the Church again and for bringing me closer to my religion." "I have enjoyed the opportunity of getting to know other members of the parish more intimately and also becoming more active in the religion I have chosen." "I can better understand Catholicism and things that may not have been clear to me before, now are." "RCIA means to me the starting point of my faith journey." "Thank you so much for helping me get closer to God and Jesus. I felt like I was missing something important in my life and you all helped me find it!" "In the beginning, the RCIA was just a way for me to be confirmed, but it has turned out to be much more than that for me." "Although I hate to see this part of the journey come to an end, I am very much looking forward to the next part of this adventure and cultivating this beautiful relationship with the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and the people of St. Robert’s Parish. This is just the beginning."

Perhaps you know an adult who has thought about becoming a Catholic through receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and/or Eucharist (first communion). If so, please consider inviting them or bringing them to our RCIA Open House this Thursday, Sept. 14th , in the Convent Chapel from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

READINGS for NEXT SUNDAY
Isaiah 50:4c-9a; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

IN OUR HOUSE
"Farewell to a Friend"

We want to thank and and bid a fond adieu to Stephen Willbourne, who has cantored for us so beautifully at the Saturday 4:30 mass for the past couple of years. Stephen is going to take a sabbatical rest from his service here and at other parishes. We will miss his beautiful music and his good-natured kindness very much.

Perhaps there are other budding musicians in the parish?!?! Children’s Choir is open to all youth in the parish, grades 2-5. We have already begun rehearsals on Friday afternoons. Please call me at the parish office if you would like to register your child for Children’s Choir or if you have any questions. - Pat Kelly

We are pleased to have married: Chris Bussani & Jill Flagg. congratulations!

Pray for the ill: Marlyn Arancibia, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Sister Cabrini, Arthur Candia, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, William & Sandra Dill, Adela Florez, Elsie Grech, Randall Guerro, Denise Hawald, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Marky, Rosemary McHale, Jeanne McHugh, Terry McLeod, Richard Quintana, Cyndy Smerdel, Bill Strehl, Margarita Velez, Josephine Lavoie, Mary Shick & Don Vickery.

Renew sign up will take place next weekend (Sept 16th-17th) after all the Masses. This 6 week session will begin the week of Oct. 9th. Renew is a great way to bring us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through faith sharing within small groups held in individual homes.

Men's Club.... First dinner meeting of the school year is Sept. 11th in the hall. Call Dan Uroz for reservations.

Grownups......Our next General meeting will be held on Friday, Sept. 15th, at 7:30 p.m. in Hennessy Hall. We are pleased that our guest speaker will be Father Brian Costello, former Deacon here at St. Robert’s and newly ordained priest. He will be telling us about his trip to Rome for World Youth Day last week, and his trip to Israel. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.

"Hollywood Nights" Parish Festival

Plans are being made for this year’s annual parish festival, "Hollywood Nights", Fri., Sept. 22nd (6-11PM) Sat., Sept. 23rd (1-11PM) Sunday, Sept. 24th (1-7PM). As always, the Barbecue and Food Booths are in need of your help. If you can help in any way, please contact Louise & Ray Downs. Thank you.

Raffle Tickets: The Grand Pirze in the Fesitval Raffle is $2,000 in cash. A total of $5,000 will be awarded! So get your tickets in right away and be in the running for the "Early Bird" drawing, which has been rescheduled to Sunday, Sept. 17th. Watch your mailbox or stop by the Rectory office to get in on the fun!

Craft booth: needs craft items and workers. Call Sandy Murtagh or Carmen Pisani.

Black Jack Tournaments: Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday during the festival. For sign up and more information call Mark Donohue.

High Roller Tickets: are available. Only 200 tickets to be sold. $50 per ticket. Giving away $4,500 in cash prizes. Call Wayne Gomes to purchase your ticket.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
6-10PM, Men’s Club.....Hall
7:30-8:30PM, St. Vincent de Paul.....Library

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH
6:30-8:00PM, Legion of Mary.....Library
3:30-8PM, Religious Education.....Hall
8-9PM, Teen Club.....Hall/Kitchen

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
9-10AM, Grief Group.....Mary’s Chapel
6:45-8PM, Religious Education.....Hall
7-9PM, Bible Study....Convent

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
7-9PM, RCIA.....Chapel
6:45-8PM, Religious Education.....Hall

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH
3-10PM, Grown-Up’s.....Hall