Dear Parishioners,

There's a lot of talk these days about national security. A general feeling of insecurity seems to prevail these days on many levels. We might feel insecure about our jobs, the safety of our families, our investments, the threat of war . . . the list is a long one. Do we ever truly gain security? Do we gain it by ousting Saddam Hussein? Do we gain it by positioning ourselves for a better job, or moving our money to bonds instead of stocks?

The Gospels remind us that Jesus frequently told his disciples, "Be not afraid." We know that Jesus was no Pollyanna, foolishly believing that nothing bad would ever happen to himself or to his followers. But again and again he told them, "Do not be afraid." What was he trying to teach them, and does it still hold true for us today? We're living in a very different world than the one of Jesus' day.

Our world might be different, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus urged his disciples to put fear aside because they could be secure in God. Even if the worst of all evils, death, might befall them, they could be confident in a resurrected life with God. For all smaller matters that cause us to be anxious, let us remind ourselves that God loves us no matter what kind of job we have or what our portfolio looks like.

To possess the security found in God's love for us is a gift of faith, and with every gift comes responsibility. Telling our children or ourselves, "Don't worry, God loves you," does not always do justice to the situation. Rather, being secure in God's love for us should give us the courage to speak or take action against evil whenever we confront it. Again, we depend on the holy Spirit even for such courage. Jesus was hardly complacent as he lived day to day in love of God.

We never feel truly secure until we place our trust completely in God. As St. Augustine prayed, "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You, O God." I believe it was also Augustine who said, "Love, and then do what you will," showing a type of Christian confidence. Let us, then, be rooted in love—first in God's love for us shown to us by Jesus, and secondly in our acts of love prompted by the Spirit. Let us strengthen our national security by authentic Christian citizenship.

May God's peace be first in our hearts. May God's word be first on our tongues. May God's love and justice be first from our hands.

Dear Parishioners,Please notify the priesthouse (589-2800) if a loved one is in the hospital.

The Adult Choir singing at the 9:30 Mass is seeking those interested in raising voices in praise. Rehearsals are on Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 PM and we gather at 9:00 AM on Sunday to warm-up.

Parish Office will be closed tomorrow,

February 17, 2003,

Pope John Paul II recently addressed the diplomats of over one hundred countries that have diplomatic relations with the Vatican. His words are important to all of us.

I have been personally struck by the feeling of fear which often dwells in the hearts of our contemporaries. An insidious terrorism capable of striking at any time and anywhere; the unresolved problem of the Middle East, with the Holy Land and Iraq; the turmoil disrupting South America, particularly Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela; the conflicts preventing numerous African countries from focusing on their development; the diseases spreading contagion and death; the grave problem of famine, especially in Africa; the irresponsible behavior contributing to the depletion of the planet's resources: All these are so many plagues threatening the survival of humanity, the peace of individuals and the security of societies.

Yet everything can change. It depends on each of us. Everyone can develop within himself his potential for faith, for honesty, for respect of others and for commitment to the service of others.

It also depends quite obviously on political leaders, who are called to serve the common good. You will not be surprised if before an assembly of diplomats I state in this regard certain requirements which I believe must be met if entire peoples, perhaps even humanity itself, are not to sink into the abyss.

First, a yes to life! Respect life itself and individual lives: Everything starts here, for the most fundamental of human rights is certainly the right to life. Abortion euthanasia, human cloning, for example, risk reducing the human person to a mere object; life and death to order, as it were! When all moral criteria are removed, scientific research involving the sources of life become a denial of the being and the dignity of the person. War itself is an attack on human life, since it brings in its wake suffering and death. The battle for peace is always a battle for life!

Next, respect for law. Life within society —- particularly international life —- presupposes common and inviolable principles whose goal is to guarantee the security and the freedom of individual citizens and of nations. These rules of conduct are the foundation of national and international stability. Today political leaders have at hand highly relevant texts and institutions. It is enough simply to put them into practice. The world would be totally different if people began to apply in a straightforward manner the agreements already signed!

MERCY CENTER
2300 Adeline Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010-5599
(650) 340-7474

Re-entering the cave of the heart: - Feb. 22 & 23rd, 11:00-5pm
A weekend intensive

Debating Priorities - March 8
The juggling act 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Men's Spirituality)
Tom Grant

Meditiaion Intensive Weekend - April 4-6
Fr. Thomas Hand, S.J.

Centering Prayers: - April 17th 6p.m.
Tridium Retreat - April 20th 9 a.m.

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

This Special Time of Our Lives - March 14-16
Silent Lenten Retereat for Women
Fr. Thomas Weston, S.J.

HOW TO PRAY: Petition, Thanksgiving, Praise-Service - March 21-23
Retreat on Prayer
Jerry MCourt, S.J. and William J. Rewak, S.J.

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

The Way of the Body - Feb. 28-March 2
Mary Ann Finch, MA, CMT

Let's Address the God Issue - Feb. 28-March 2
Carol Mitchell, PhD & Peter Coster, MDiv., MFT

Men's Lenten Retreat - March 7-9
God's Greatest Glory
Barry Brunsman, OFM

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

While out-of-town you can check for nationwide Mass times and locations at (1-800-627-7846) or Internet at www.Masstimes.org.

A Catholic Site for Seekers: A new internet ministry from the Franciscans (sponsors of St. Anthony Messenger Press) seeks to help inactive Catholics reconnect with a local Catholic faith community. This site, www.oncecatholic.org, offers a special place where inactive Catholics can ask questions, interact with on-line companions, find resources and reconnect with a local parish. This website may also be beneficial for those of you are practicing Catholics.

Website for Catholic Youth: Disciples Now is an innovative and faith-filled web-based ministry for Catholic teens. It has been developed by youth ministers, campus ministers, catechetical leaders, and diocesan staff members in partnership with publishers and other youth-serving agencies. It includes a "Since you asked" feature with responses to teen questions of faith and life by Fr. Gary Bagley, Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Buffalo, New York as well as a variety of interactive catechetical and fun features. Nearly 3500 teens visit the site each day. Feel free to check it out on the web at www.DisciplesNow.com.

Four married couples of our parish celebrated their significant anniversaries of marriage together with many other happy couples at a special liturgy celebrated by Bishop Ignatius Wang at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco on Sat., Feb. 8th.

The happy couples from St. Robert's are: Phil & Janet White (married 30 years this year), Rob & Cathy Aveson, Tom & Shaune Montross, Dave & Kerry Hansell (married 25 years).