I don’t know about you, but for me Advent, the season, is filled with contradictions. Despite the trappings of Christian faith, Christmas has turned into a pagan festival. Deposit occasional reminders of "what it’s all about," the god of this season is not really the infant in the manger. Instead, it is one or several of the following:

half the annual sales in a four-week binge; flying reindeer; sentimental and often unrealistic images of family; shopping as a patriotic activity; decorations, trees, lights, ornaments; believing in Santa Claus; being with people and not being alone; cramming everything in before December 25th; giving the perfect gift; receiving the perfect gift; wanting everything to be just right.

Anyone, who doubts that these and other motivators are in fact gods, should pause to examine the amount of energy and even passion people devote to them. It is a cruel irony that in the name of the prince of peace, at this time every year many people do everything they can to create conflict, tension, frustration, disappointment, and emptiness.

Welcome to Advent. The church year begins with a reminder of the coming Christ. We are invited to pause and wait for the one who comes into the world offering freedom from all enslavements, even Christmas.

Almost everyone complains about the craziness of the holidays, but few try to do anything about it. One three-step approach works for many people: make two lists, the first identifying the five things one most dislikes about this time of year and the second identifying the five things one most likes. Next contemplate the amounts of time and energy devoted to the things on each list. Next, resolve not to do any of the things on the first list, and instead concentrate on the things that you enjoy, and give life. This step is difficult but crucial. If shopping is a major headache, don’t do it. If quiet time with family is a blessing, arrange to make it happen. If all the Santa Claus stuff feels like a lie, stop lying. If prayer feels good, do it. If decorating the house overwhelms, cut back or even eliminate it. If a charitable donation tells the truth about oneself, give it.

Invite children to consider what and how they can give, instead of things they might get. The first Sunday of Advent is, after all, the church’s new year’s day. Like adults, children too, can be invited to commit themselves anew to living more in the image of Christ.

The ideas expressed were found in an article in "Celebrating the Lectionary" by Resource Publications, Inc. of San Jose. For me to live their suggestions will be difficult. May we pray for each other as once again we try to bring Christ back into Christmas.

Liturgical Changes Ahead

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Robert Bacci, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Maricris Candelaria, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Zenaida Cortez, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Carl Edwards, Joyce Flax, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Fred Gaedeke, Jesse Grube, Gladys Haff, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Abelardo Landin, Josephine Lavoie, Greg Lille, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Terry McLeod, Josefina Mercado, Sal Milizio, Catherine Murtagh, Thomas O’Brien, Louis Ricardo, Bill Reilly, Doris Ross, Pauline Speranza, Don Vickery, William Wegman and Jennifer Westbrook .

Next Sunday, in parishes all across the country, the 15th annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken. This effort, too, is a reflection on faithfulness. It honors the fidelity of elderly religious sisters, priests, and brothers who have given their lives in service to God and the Church, despite hardships and sacrifices, often times for little or no pay. It honors their commitment and cooperation with God’s grace to achieve incredible things in their service to others. And this annual collection is an appeal to every member of the Church to be faithful as well, by giving generously to help support the needs of our elderly religious.

Please keep our RCIA members in your prayers as they journey toward their Easter Sacraments. Our catechumens (those who will be Baptized) and our Candidates (those who will receive First Eucharist and/or Confirmation) are listed below:

Amy Booth, Kris Feger, Kimber Fitzmorgan,
Andrew Kimoto, Hannah Legein, Barbara Mitchell,
Cathline Pascua, Richard Perez, Matt Rudnick,
Daniel Seevers, Colleen Soracco, Amy Vejodovsky
and Maggie Whaley

Please see the magazine rack in the vestibule of church for a list of courses to be offered by the Archdiocesan School of Pastoral Leadership beginning in January. Tuition assistance is available from the parish for some courses.

The Adult Choir singing at the 9:30 Mass is seeking those interested in raising voices in praise. We are rehearsing music for Christmas and would love to invite new members to help make it truly joyous! Rehearsals are on Wednesday from 7:00-9:00PM and we gather at 9:00 AM on Sunday to warm-up.

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.

This weekend - November 30th & December 1st and next weekend December 7th and 8th 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.

If you have the means to share your Christmas spirit, stop by after any one of the Masses on either of these weekends and pick an ornament. Gifts will be collected after Masses the weekend of December 14th and 15th for distribution the week of the 16th.

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 December 11th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

Our St. Vincent de Paul Society is in need of pasta and pasta sauce and cereal. Please place these items in the baskets in church.

I want to thank the many volunteers of St. Vincent de Paul:

Sandy Mangold; Bill and Nancy Curtis; Gerry Huddleston;
Nancy McMahon; Carlo and Marie Noce; Bill Root;
Janet Aldinger; Pat Mooney and Sophia Chester.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Bruce Chester, who sorted food into individual bags for all of us to pick and store in ur cars. We delivered to 32 families and gave $3,000.00 in Lunardi’s Scrip due to the generosity of St. Robert’s Parishioners.

Please visit the Child’s Liturgy-Giving Tree in the vestibule of the church. Help yourself to one of our tree decorations with a gift suggestion or bring any gift you wish. Please place the unwrapped gifts into the box at the tree. The last day for bringing gifts will be Sunday, December 22nd.

This is our 11th year of sponsoring the "Giving Tree" and over the years the needs of the community have changed. We still need toys. The agencies we serve have requested some adult items such as: underwear, socks and hygiene items. All the donations will go to the following groups:

• ACRA-in San Mateo, which helps children and adults infected or affected by aids. They receive toys and adult clothing.

• San Bruno Catholic Worker-all gift certificates and adult clothing.

• Samaritan House-toys and clothing.

• Other outreach groups of St. Robert’s-toys

Once again thank you for your generosity and your help in celebrating the joys of giving to others this Christmas

As we have done for many, many years, we ask that each of us remembers with love those members of our Parish Family who are confined to their homes or to nursing homes. Our Advent theme tells us :

"Christ, Our Light and Our Hope"

We welcome you into our Parish!

Henry & Trudy Mar

Performances will be:

December 11th at 7:30 p.m
at St. Paul Church
29th and Church
San Francisco

December 13th at 7:30 p.m.
at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
3 Oakdale
Mill Valley

December 22nd at 4:00 p.m.
at St. Catherine of Siena Church
1310 Bayswater Ave.
Burlingame

Frederica von Stade
in concert with
The Chamber Orchestra of St. Catherine of Siena

Sunday, December 15th, at 5:00 p.m.

St. Catherine of Siena Chruch
1310 Bayswater Aveune
Burlingame

There will be a catered traditional turkey dinner, music by the Traverso’s, door prizes, and a raffle of table decorations. Proceeds of this event go to Sister Ita’s Christmas charities.

An Annual Women’s Guild event for the children of the Parish. Children are invited to meet Santa and have a memorable morning.

Enjoy a continental breakfast, raffle prizes and the spirit of Christmas. Watch Santa arrive and present each child with a gift. There will also be a "Children’s gift shop" for the children to shop and buy gifts for family and friends. All gifts are inexpensive and will be wrapped and tagged for easy gift giving.

Albertson Community Card. If you shop there and need a card please call Linda Cuddy.