Our experiences are three-dimensional. We tend to sum them up in single sentences. Our way of writing is different from the Gospel writers’ way of writing. We could say, "Our Lord Jesus Christ came through the Jewish people for all the people of the world." The Gospel writers way is to tell the same truth, but, with details to help us know not simply what they knew was true but also how they felt when they knew it. The beloved feast of Epiphany, "Little Christmas" (or, in Ireland, the Christmas of the Women (they didn’t have to cook that day)) is a vivid example of this. It is like HONEST and effective advertising: not simply the truth about the "product" but a presentation that gives you a hint of what it is like to have it.

A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear Parishioners,

On behalf of the priests of St. Robert’s, thank you very much for your many cards, cookies, candy and prayers this Christmas. Your kindness to us is very much appreciated.

Your generosity to the Parish this Christmas again showed your commitment to our Parish mission of bringing the message of Christ to our world today. As of this time, $39,379.96 was given.

In the middle of January, I will begin to give you more information concerning BUILDING FOR A NEW CENTURY. I would ask you to pray that we might be successful in this financial endeavor to build a center for youth and adult education.

Some evils can only be conquered through prayer and fasting. Your prayers are needed! Yes, yours !!! he date has been set: Thursday, January 24. Please put it on your calendar.

What is it?
The Archdiocesan Day of Prayer for World Peace!

At the invitation of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul, religious leaders from around the world will unite in Assisi, Italy to pray. And we are invited by our Archbishop to simultaneously unite in prayer here in the Bay Area for the same cause: peace in our world!

You are welcome and encouraged to participate in the following events on January 24th:

• 12:15 Mass for Peace at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, Vallejo at Columbus St. in San Francisco.

• 2pm Symposium at the University of San Francisco, with the topic of Interfaith dialogue and understanding as a means to foster world peace.

• 7pm Interfaith/Ecumenical Prayer Service for Peace, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, with readings from sacred scriptures representing the participating faith traditions, choral music and prayers offered by various religious leaders.

This is serious. You will be hearing more about this Day of Prayer in the next few weeks. Please read about it in Catholic San Francisco

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 Children’s Chapel, in the back of Church, by 9:00 am on Jan. 9th.

Scripture Classes will resume on Wed. Jan. 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the convent Chapel. We will study the Book of Genesis.

I want to thank the many volunteers of St. Vincent de Paul: Sandy Mangold, Paul Carroll, Bill & Nancy Curtis, Gerry Huddleston, Nancy McMahon, Carlo & Marie Noce, Bill Root, Janet Aldinger, Pat Mooney, and Sophia Chester. A HUGE THANK YOU to Bruce Chester, who sorted food into bags with each person’s name and their children’s ages and gifts systematically located on tables in our garage. Each volunteer pulls their car into the driveway and loads the car. Our Christmas was a "toughie" as mother nature didn’t know we were delivering all the goods that Saturday morning and provided quite a "rain storm"....nobody melted!

To the many parishioners who gave us food and checks for scrip, the many presents provided by the "In-Betweener’s", and the presents from Rob Aveson’s Christmas tree in the vestibule: We delivered to 24 families, comprised of 30 adults and 50 children. We even delivered a few Christmas trees. Missing from the above was Bunny Moniz....get well Bunny!

An Introduction to
World Religions
(Video Series)

Sunday Eves 6:30pm - 8:30pm
(Following 5:30pm Mass)

Hennessy Hall

Light Meal Served with Soda / Coffee

January 13, 2002 Islam
January 20, 2002 Protestantism
January 27, 2002 Judaism
February 10, 2002 Buddhism
February 17, 2002 Hinduism

Monday, January 7th
1:30 - 3 pm, Cheerleading.....Hall
5 - 10 pm, Men’s Club.....Hall

Tuesday, January 8th
3:30 - 8:15 pm, Religious Education.....Hall
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth.....Kitchen

Wednesday, January 9th
9 - 9:30 am, Grief Support....Mary’s Chapel
3 - 4 pm, 8th Gr. Practice.....Hall
4:30 - 6 pm, Cheerleading.....Hall

Thursday, January 10th
3:30 - 4:30 pm, Religious Education.....Hall
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7:30 - 9 pm, Fil/Am.....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Parish Planning Committee.....Library

Friday, January 11th
3:30 - 4:45 pm, Cheerleading.....Hall
7 - 8:30 pm, 8th Gr. Practice.....Hall

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Nevada is a nonprofit, nonsectarian home for abandoned and neglected children. They earn money by pasting the cards fronts onto new cards. Help needy Kids and the environment, too!. Please drop your used card fronts at the rectory, and we will be happy to forward them for you.

Confirmation Preparation for Baptized Catholic Adults
(18 years or older who have received First communion)

will be offered
at Serra High School in San Mateo,
7:30-9:30 p.m. Tues, 2/19/02 - 4/30/02;
or at Riordan High School in San Francisco,
7:30-9:30 p.m. Tues, 2/20/02 - 5/1/02;

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 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

Earth’s Crammed with Heaven - Jan. 25-27
An invitation to come apart from thebusyness which causes numbness and not noticing.
Patricia Ryan, RSM

SAN DAMIANO RETREAT
P.O. Box 767
Danville, Ca 94526
(925) 837-9141

Reconciliation - Jan. 11-13
Spirituality for a small planet
Fr. Brian Joyce and Dr. Brian Swimme

Francis of Assisi - Jan. 18-20
Towards a spirituality of communion
Regis Armstrong, OFM

Beginning Enneagram - Jan. 19th, 9:00am-4:00pm
Growing Spiritually
Maurice Monette, M.Div., Ed. D.