Dear Parishioners,

The world seeks peace. Since Adam and Eve fell from grace, the world has experienced sin and death. But the world has never been able to achieve peace or build peace or enforce peace on its own. Never! Not in a million years. And we will never evolve into more peaceful people in the future, either.

Why? Because of Original Sin.

Only God can heal the wounds of sin and division.

During this Advent season we might recall the words of a beautiful song, O, Holy Night: "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared and the soul felt its worth." And we are still pining for our Savior’s help. And He has healed the world’s deepest wound! And He continues to heal us!

The horror we saw in September is but a small reminder of the countless horrors that the world has known and continues to suffer even today all over the globe—all of them due to human sinfulness.

"It’s all their fault!" we might say, blaming others. But, to be honest, to appreciate what the birth of Jesus Christ really means, we each have to admit "It’s my fault, too," and acknowledge that we are part of the problem. St. John said that whoever says that he is without sin is a liar. But the child whose birth we are preparing to celebrate is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world". Why did God come to be born in a lowly stable? "For our sake," we recite each week in the Creed, "He came down from Heaven." For you and me.

So, what should we do? How should we respond? How should we prepare not only to celebrate His birth, but to meet Him when He comes again in glory?

St. Robert’s has two Advent Penance Services to help us: Tuesday, December 18, at 7:30pm and Saturday, December 22, at 3:00pm. "Prepare the way of the Lord!"

ADVENT 2001
Practice the Presence of God
Welcome One Another

This week, St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans says:
"Welcome one another, then,
as Christ welcomed you,
for the glory of God.

What sorts of things do we associate with "welcome"? Hospitality, kindness, acceptance, selflessness, generosity, and attentiveness are a few traits which immediately come to mind. At one level, we can think of welcoming others as a good thing to do. We are called to practice these virtues.

The events of history were controlled for my coming to this world no less than for the coming of the Savior. The time had to be ripe, the place just right, the circumstances ready, before I could be born.

God chose the parents of his Son and endowed them with the personalty they needed for the child that would be born. I speak to God about the man and woman that he chose to be my parents until I see that they had to be the kind of human beings they were if I was to become what God meant me to be.

The Christ child comes, like every other child, to give the world a message. What message have I come to give? I seek guidance from the Lord to express it in a word or image.

Christ comes into this world to walk a certain path, fulfill a certain destiny. He consciously fulfilled what had been "written " for him. As I look back I see in wonder what was "written" and has thus far been fulfilled in my own life, and for each part of that script, however small, I say, "Thanks" to make it holy with my gratitude.

I look with expectation and surrender at all that is to come and, like the Christ, I say, "Yes, Let it be done."

Finally I recall the song the angels sang when Christ was born. They sang of the peace and joy that give God glory.

Have I ever heard the song the angels sang when I was born?

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Ilaria Belluomini, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Guido Botelho, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Joseph Calleja, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Ray Driscoll, Carl Edwards, Adela Florez, Elsie Grech, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Josephine Lavoie, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Jeanne McHugh, Terry McLeod, Sal Milizio, Bunny Moniz, Catherine Okulove, Leo Pieretti, Richard Quintana, Lee Shick, Pauline Speranza, Kari Stellino, Don Vickery & Bernie Voight.

We are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you can prepare a favorite cookie, snack or lunch items for 10 to 12 people, please drop it off at the for 10 to 12 people, please drop it off at the Children’s Chapel,

The Children’s Liturgy Group will once again have the Giving Tree up near Little Church. The gifts go to needy children. It’s so easy to participate. Just pick an ornament off the tree, purchase that gift and return it UNWRAPPED to the box near the tree. If possible, please have the gifts returned by next Sunday, Dec. 16th so we can get them where they need to go on time.

Christmas Poinsettias will decorate the Church during the Christmas Season. If you would like to make a donation of $10 (please make check out to St. Robert’s, Poinsettias Fund) toward their purchase in memory of a loved one, fill out the form below and return it to the Parish Office by December 23rd. A memorial list will be published in the bulletin.

Once again this Christmas Season, we as a parish family will have an ADOPT-A-FAMILY GIVING TREE. There are many people in San Mateo County who don’t have the means to celebrate Christmas as they might like. At the same time, many in our parish can celebrate with their families and share with those in need. An ADOPT-A-FAMILY program is a way to do this.

On the weekends of Dec. 1st and 2nd 8th and 9th we will have a "Giving Tree" set up in front of Church after all of the Masses. This tree will be "decorated" with paper ornaments containing a profile of a family you might be able to help.

We welcome you into our parish!

Sandra Schwarz
Joel & Kristen Ansaldo and family
Robert & Lisha Garcia and family
Leslie Burns
Phil Fazio
Samuel Murray

Solisti Della Chiesa
String Chamber Orchestra

DISCIPLES NOW:
WEBSITE FOR CATHOLIC YOUTH

Applications for St. Robert School Kindergarten for the 2002-2003 school year will be accepted in the School Office Monday - Friday, January 7th through the 11th, from 9 am to 3 pm. The screening fee for each applicant is $25.00.

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 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 September 1, 2002. 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 and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. St. Robert School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

The Journey of Surrendering to God’s Love - Dec. 14-16
Recovery Retreat for Men
Fr. Thomas Allender, S.J.

From Fear to Faith - Jan. 4-16
Recovery Retreat for Women
Msgr. Terry Richey

The Freedom to Respond to God and God’s Grace - Jan. 18-20
Silent Retreat for Men
Fr. Thomas Weston, S.J.

Living in the Presence of God - Jan. 25-27
Silent Ignatian Retreat for Women
Fr. Robert Scholla, S.J.

MERCY CENTER
2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame, 94010 (650-340-7474)

Epiphany Light - Jan. 13th 1:30-5:00pm
In dance and music we will honor
these and many illuminations
Carla De Sola; Suzanne Toolan, RSM

MONDAY, December 10th
1 - 3 pm, 8th Gr. Cheerleading.....Hall
6 - 10 pm, Women’s Guild....Hall
7:30 - 8:30 pm, St. Vincent de Paul.....Library

TUESDAY, December 11th
3:30 - 8:15 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth.....Kitchen

WEDNESDAY, December 12th
9 am, AIDS Lunch.....Children’s Chapel
9 - 9:30 am, Grief Support...Contact Sr. Ita
4:30 - 6 pm, 7th Gr. Cheerleading.....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study.....Convent Chapel

THURSDAY, December 13th
3:30 - 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7 - 9 pm, School Advent Program.....Church
7:30 - 9 pm, Fil/Am......Hall

FRIDAY, December 14th
3 - 4:30 pm, Children’s Choir.....Hall
6 - 11 pm, In-Betweeners....Hall

SATURDAY, December 15th
All Day: "Breakfast with Santa".....Hall