Congratulations to all of our young parishioners who have graduated with the Class of 2002! Whether it be from college, high school, middle school, grade school, kindergarten, "Little Church" to "Middle Church," or St. Robert’s School itself, we are very proud of you!

Graduations are a time when we pledge to be friends for life. A world of possibilities is spread before us like a grand buffet! We are filled with confidence because of what we have achieved, and yet we’re also a little unsure of what is coming next. It’s a very exciting, wonderful time, filled with promise.

How do we keep those friendships going once we’ve split and gone to different schools or cities? How do we live up to the potential we have at graduation time? How do we build on our achievements or rebuild when our worst fears come true? How do we nurture the seeds of promise God has planted in each of us?

I remember a song we sang at my eighth grade graduation:

Like the song says, growth and the road to happiness is built a little bit at a time, day by day. It comes from the mysterious cooperation of our own work and God’s blessing.

In the Church’s liturgical year, we enter into Ordinary Time. We count the Sundays and weeks, one at a time, after our big Easter and Pentecost feasts. Ordinary Time is a good time to pay attention to the little things—the basics—of life and spirituality that help make our garden grow day by day. Do the little things that need to be done to make your dreams come true. Write a letter or e-mail or phone a friend to keep the friendship alive. Remain connected to the community that challenges you and helps you to grow. Do not let your faith die. Above all things, pray every day, and seek the friendship and presence of God.

"Solidarity in Eucharist"

Sometimes we think of lay people versus bishops and priests as "us" and "them." We don’t always think of ordained clergymen as "one of us." They have unique, celibate lives. Sometimes they dress all in black. They belong to an order into which women are not allowed. They can wield a lot of influence. Because of their position as leaders, the good or the bad that they do gets magnified. In a lot of ways, their lives are different from those of most Catholics. But . . . they are "us." They are Christians with us and like us, baptized and confirmed, who share the Lord’s Supper with us.

Sometimes we think of those who have been sexually abused by clergy as "them." Their experience is one that many of us have not faced. But . . . they are "us."

There are parts of the Mass which express very beautifully our faith that God will guide those who lead the Church. In the Prayers of the Faithful, the first prayer is for the Church. Frequently, in that very first intercession we pray for the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, and for all bishops and priests who lead the Church. Sometimes, though, we will pray for the Church that suffers. In the Eucharistic Prayer, we pray that the sacrifice of Christ will help to bring about unity and peace within the Church. We speak of growing in love, together with John Paul, our Pope, William, our archbishop, and all the clergy. But, we also ask God to "remember all your people, especially those for whom we now pray."

A baby is God’s opinion
that the world should go on.

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Robert Bacci, Ilaria Belluomini, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Joseph Calleja, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Carl Edwards, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Fred Gaedeke, Jim Halpin, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Abelardo Landin, Josephine Lavoie, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Jeanne McHugh, Terry McLeod, Josefina Mercado, Sal Milizio, George Mitchell, Catherine Murtagh, Louis Ricardo, Pauline Speranza, Kari Stellino, Bernadine Trenchard, and Don Vickery.

WANTED! A CALL TO OTHER MINISTRIES

If you are a regular participant in one of the liturgies below, consider becoming a Eucharistic Minister or Lector. Contact Pat Vallez-Kelly at 589-2800.

AIDS LUNCH - June 12, 2002

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 June 12th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

Congratulations to our students of St. Robert’s School, who graduated Friday, June 7th. We wish them continued success in high school. The graduates are:

All children going into the 2nd grade are invited to participate in the Rite of Passage from

Congratulations to our students of St. Robert’s Religious Education. We wish them continued success in high school. The graduates are:

Monday, June 10th
6 - 10 pm, Women’s Guild.....Hall
7:30 - 8:30 pm, St. Vincent de Paul.....Library

Tuesday, June 11th
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library
7:30 - 9 pm, Parish Planning Committee.....Rectory
8 - 9 pm Teen Club.....Kitchen

Wednesday, June 12th
9 am, AIDS Lunch.....Children’s Chapel
9 - 9:30 am, Grief Support.....Mary’s Chapel
12 - 3 pm, Choir Party.....Hall

Thursday, June 13th
7 - 9 pm, RCIA...Convent Chapel
7:30 - 9 pm, Fil/Am.....Hall
7:30 - 9 pm, Fesitval Mtg....Library

Friday, June 14th
All Day, Kindergarten Grad/Family Night....Hall
6 - 10 pm, Athletic Board.....Library

A Contemplative Retreat - June 12-16
Sister Ispriya

Embracing the Heart of Nature - June 24-29
An Exploration of Eco Spirituality
Speakers will be:
Duane Elgin,
Thomas Hand, S.J.
Sister Jose Hobday, OSF,
Braine Swimme and
Gabriele Uhlein, OSF

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

Faith, Friend, and Freedom - June 14-16
Recovery Retreat for Men/Women
Fr. Gavin Griffith, O.F.M.

Our Human Search for God - Aug. 9-11
Silent Retreat for Men
Fr. Joseph Fice, S.J.

Summertime Sobriety - Aug. 16-18
What Happens Now?
Recovery Retreat for Women
Fr. Thomas Weston, S.J.

VALLOMBROSA CENTER
250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, Ca 94025-3218
650-325-5614

Awakening to the Handprints of God - June 22
Prayer and Photography
Carol Fowler