St. Robert's Catholic Church Bulletin, March 9, 2003

St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
March 9, 2003
First Sunday of Lent

Dear Friends,

How do you feel about Lent? Every year as Ash Wednesday draws near I start my list of good resolutions. By the end of the second week they have gone on the back burner. I imagine it is the same with you. This Lent let's make one resolution and keep it. How about something positive? Maybe a kind deed every day; an extra minute or two for prayer; reaching out to someone in need. This may not sound like a big Lenten practice, but in reality it is if we are faithful to it. Even the smallest deed done with love becomes great. Then, as Easter dawns we will be ready to celebrate the great victory of Jesus.

Have you been up the street to see the new Building? It is nearing completion. Since work began on it last June I have been intrigued by the way the workers went about their tasks. Cooperation seems to have been the key word. One group prepared the way for the next. Everything fell into place so smoothly. This made me think. If we, the workers in the Lord's vineyard, could work in a similar way we could build up the Kingdom of God - no small achievement!!!

Happy Lent,
Sister Ita

"Needing the Right Light"

This Lent, we consider the theme the Liturgy Committee has offered to us for prayer, "Renew Us in the Light of Faith." It makes me think of a couple of houseplants we have at home that begin to turn yellow and drop leaves when they are not in the right sunlight. They're not dead, but they sure could use some help. I've made the mistake of thinking they need more water, but that has only drowned them. No, they need the right light.

God helps us to believe—to have faith—and that gift can be like a light in our hearts, restoring our energy and spirit in mysterious but real ways. There are few things as discouraging, perhaps even as depressing, as having life without faith. Like our houseplants, we're not dead, but we sure could use some help.

God renews us in faith in so many diverse ways. God knows the right kind of light that each person needs to thrive. We, ourselves, usually have a clue as to what kind of light—what kind of faith expression—we need. Or, a wise person might be able to give us some direction.

As Church we also need renewal and the right ways of expressing faith. As a community we place ourselves in some tried and true situations in order to receive "the light of faith" that renews us as a body. We listen to Sacred Scripture, the Word of God. We celebrate sacraments that communicate Christ and his ministry to us. We pray and we sing together. These all have an irreplaceable role in God's ongoing renewal of us, God's People. Pat Vallez-Kelly

Monday - March 10 Readings: Lv 19:1-2,11-18 Mt 25:31-46
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Giuseppe Pignati † Marie DeMartini †
Women's Guild Mtg St. Vincent de Paul Finance Committee Mtg	6:00p 7:30p 7:30p	Hall Library Rectory
Tuesday - March 11 Readings: Is 55:10-11 Mt 6:7-15
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Carmen Figueroa-DeGonzalez † Rosalie Carlson †
Religious Education Legion of Mary Sports Board Mtg CCD Confessions Choir Practice	3:30p 6:30p 6:00p 7:00p 7:30p	Hall & Church Library Classroom Church Church
Wednesday - March 12 Readings: Jon 3:1-10 Lk 11:29-32
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Mike Bezzina & Julie Fonteno † Charles Agius †
7th Gr. Cheerleading 8th Gr. Practice Bible Study Choir Practice	3:00p 7:00p 7:30p 7:30p	Hall Hall Convent Chapel Church
Thursday - March 13 Readings: Est C:12,14-16,23-25 Mt 7:7-12
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Danilo Rosita † Michael David Yanke †
Religious Education RCIA Fil/Am	3:30p 7:00p 7:30p	Hall & Church Convent Chapel Hall
Friday - March 14 Readings: Ez 18:21-28 Mt 5:20-26
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Dino Tonelli † Thomas Wrynne †
Stations of the Cross Lenten Soup Supper	6:00p 6:30p	Church Hall
Saturday - March 15 Readings: Dt 26:16-19 Mt 5:43-48
Mass Intention	8:30 4:30	Paul & Rosina Vella † Lillian Guidi †
8th Gr. Practice	10:00a	Hall
Sunday - March 16 Readings: Gn 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18 Rom 8:31b-34 Mk 9:2-10
Mass Intention	7:30 9:30 11:30 5:00	Anne Turner † Kathleen & Katelin † Amida Moniri † People of St. Robert's
Fil/Am Choir	10:00a	Hall

As a Parish Community, We Pray...For all who follow Jesus...May the Holy Spirit renew us in the light of faith; help us to see ourselves as we really are and reconcile us with our God and with one another.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Michelle Marie Benavente

SICK RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

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

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, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Carl Edwards, Joyce Flax, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Jesse Grube, Gladys Haff, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Shirley Latham, Josephine Lavoie, Greg Lille, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Terry McLeod, Sal Milizio, James Morrisey, Thomas O'Brien, Jim Olmo, Louis Ricardo, Bill Reilly, Doris Ross, Pauline Speranza, Don Vickery, Jennifer Westbrook & Frank Wright.

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Angela Semenza
who died recently.

YOUR EMERGENCY PRAYER NETWORK IS HERE

The "Emergency Prayer Network" will pray for your specific intentions whenever some crisis arises in your life. If you call, our group will pray fervently for three days for you and your special intention. Call Michele Pipinich. Let us know how things turn out so that we can praise God for His faithfulness.

LEGION OF MARY NEEDS YOU

At St. Robert's Parish, a group of committed parishioners, under the leadership of Mary Mediatrix of all graces, have formed themselves into a legion of service to the parish community. These dedicated Legionares devote a part of their time attending Tuesday evening meetings for prayers, and active cooperation and participation visting the sick parishioners who are homebound and in convalescent and boarding care homes.

Please join the Legion of Mary, and show your unconditional love to Mary by reaching out to the people you care. Please call Manny Ortiz, President, Legion of Mary.

CALLING ALL SINGERS!
Easter Choir Rehearsals Under Way

The 9:30 Mass Adult Choir is seeking those interested in raising voices in praise. Men are especially needed! Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00pm, and we gather at 9:00am on Sunday to warm-up.

For more information, contact Kevin Imbimbo at 873-4480.

SEEKING NEW LECTORS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Excellent Archdiocesan training sessions are coming up for lectors and eucharistic ministers. St. Robert's is seeking additional lectors and eucharistic ministers especially for the following masses:

Saturday 4:30pm, Sunday 7:30am, 5:00pm

Teens already confirmed or enrolled in Confirmation preparation are encouraged to apply. Unique opportunities are also available for young adults, couples, and seniors. Our scheduling can fit your schedule.

Serving as a lector or eucharistic minister is a blessing for each minister and for St. Robert's. Interested? Call Pat Vallez-Kelly at 589-2800.

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

EScrip...If you haven't signed up yet, please do so. Our group number is 137045398. Check it out on line - escrip.com.

ARCHBISHOP'S ANNUAL APPEAL

Goal is $80,200

As of March 5th Families	198
Donations to date	$35,181.00

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
FRIDAY LENTEN SUPPERS

At 6 pm each Friday (except for Good Friday), Stations of the Cross are held in the Church, led by members of our Parish family. During this Lent, we ask Jesus to:

"RENEW US IN THE LIGHT OF FAITH"

You might want to consider attending Stations, followed by a light Lenten Supper, hosted this Friday by the Grownups and the Sociables. In this way we participate in the three Lenten Disciplines: PRAYER, FASTING AND ALMSGIVING. We ask that you put into the basket, provided by our St. Vincent de Paul Society, the amount you would have spent on your Friday night meal. They will use your donation to help our sisters and brothers who are hungry. If you are a Newcomer, this is a chance to meet other members of our Parish family. All are welcome.

LENTEN ANOINTING MASS
Sunday, March 16th, at 11:30a.m.

"Heal the Sick!" Jesus has charged His Church to take care of those who are ill by accompanying them with her prayer of intercession in His Name. The Anointing of the Sick is for anyone who begins to be in danger of death from illness or the aging process. Graces derived from the Sacrament are: strength, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties of serious illness or the frailty of advanced years; a closer union with the suffering of Christ, sanctification and often the restoration of health.

All who are ill in mind, body or spirit and those experiencing the affects of aging are invited to receive this Sacrament. Together we ask Jesus to:

RENEW US IN THE LIGHT OF FAITH.

OTHER LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES

DAY OF PRAYER

Mercy Center, Burlingame, (650) 340-7474 or www.mercy-center.org
Praying with John of the Cross, to April 12th.

RETREATS

Mercy Center, Burlingame, (650) 340-7474 or www.mercy-center.org
Busy Person's Retreat for Young Adults Ages 18-40, March 23-27
Meditation Intensive Weekend, April 4-6
Centering Prayer Triduum Retreat, April 17-20

El Retiro, Los Altos (650) 948-4491
"This Special Time of Our Lives" -Silent Lenten Retreat for Women given by Fr. Thomas Weston, S.J. March 14-16

We welcome you into our Parish!

Patricia Arata

If you're new to St. Robert's, we ask that you complete a registration form (found in the vestibule of the church). Drop it either in the collection basket, the mail, or at the parish office. We will send you a New Parishioner Packet with information about the parish, its organizations and groups.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Our St. Vincent de Paul Society is in need of canned fruit and vegetables and all non-perishables. Please place these items in the baskets in church.

CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE

Catholic Worker House in San Bruno is in need of socks, pasta, cooking oil, and laundry volunteers (once a week or once a month-call 827-0706). Please bring items to the Rectory.

AIDS LUNCH
March 12th

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

We appreciate all your help.

DINNER DANCE

St. Roberts Women's Guild
presents 2003 Dinner ~ Dance

Through the Years

April 12th
San Francisco Airport Marriott
1800 Old Bayshore, Burligame

The night begins with a no host bar and includes a Three Course Dinner ~ 8th grade Entertainment ~ Silent Auction ~ Live Children's Art Auction ~ Raffle Prizes ~ Dancing until 1:00 a.m.

Ticket prices are $75 per person
Seniors $65 per person

Tickets available at the next Women's Guild meeting, March 10th

InBetweeners
ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER DANCE

March 22nd
Doors open at 6:30pm
Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner at 7:30pm
Followed by entertainment and dancing until midnight

$20 per person
All proceeds to go to
Sisters of the Presentation of St. Robert's Parish

For reservations call George Lynch

You are invited to Attend-an information/organizational meeting for San Mateo County for the Voice of the Faithful March 10th at 7:30 p.m.at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, in their St. Michael's Hall, 1040 Alameda de las Pulgas in Belmont. For more information web site is www.votf-sf.org