Hopes and dreams and visions . . .

Many youngsters had their hopes fulfilled this past Saturday morning when they had Breakfast with Santa. And the way Hennessey Hall was decorated . . . it could have been Breakfast with Santa at Tiffany’s! When I start feeling grinchy or abominable during these busy weeks leading up to Christmas, I try to remember the excitement and dreams I had as a child. This season is one of those times when kids give us older folks a great gift, simply through their "kid-ness." They have high hopes, beautiful dreams, and broad visions of happy times. Ultimately, Advent and Christmas are a time to be very, very excited about the possibilities for good things to happen.

Our hopes, dreams, and visions mature over the years. Adults hope for healing and security. We dream about loved ones past. We envision a world at peace. Sometimes our own heavy baggage keeps us from still believing in and still pursuing these dreams—from living life to the full. We have two communal celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week (Tuesday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 3pm). These are great opportunities to allow God to help us let go of the things we can no longer afford to cling to and to embrace the people and activities that give us healing, security, love, and peace—things everlasting that we hope for.

ADVENT 2001
Practice the Presence of God
Be Patient

This week’s second reading from the Letter of Saint James says,

Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

There’s the old refrigerator magnet slogan that says, "God, grant me patience, and I want it right now!" Patience is demanding and rewarding. It demands peace of heart, trust in God and the promise of growth, and hope for something better. It rewards with accomplishment, fruit, more peace, more trust, and more hope.

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 personality 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.

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.

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.

EL RETIRO
300 Manresa Way, Los Altos 94022 (650) 948-4491

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 17th
1 - 3 pm, 8th Gr. Cheerleading.....Hall

TUESDAY, December 18th
3:30 - 8:15 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library
7:30 pm, Penance Service.....Church
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth.....Kitchen

WEDNESDAY, December 19th
4:30 - 6 pm, 7th Gr. Cheerleading.....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study.....Convent Chapel

THURSDAY, December 20th
3:30 - 4:30 pm, Religious Ed.....Hall
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7:30 - 9 pm, School Board....6th Gr. Classroom

FRIDAY, December 21st
7 - 8:30 pm, 8th Gr. Practice.....Hall

SATURDAY, December 22nd
3 pm, Penance Service.....Church