As you know, two of our long time members of the Parish, Sister Ita and Pat Vallez-Kelly, have left the Parish staff. Thank God, they have not left the Parish! Sister Ita has retired from full time ministry. She will still give her Bible class and continue to be an active parishioner. Pat has become a member of the staff of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He works in the office of Worship and will be helping all the parishes of the Archdiocese. He will be helping us now and then with music. We are so fortunate to have these two wonderful people in our Parish.

Taking the place of Sister Ita as Pastoral Associate is Sister Patricia O'Sullivan of the Presentation Sisters. Sister is a native of Ireland and has spent her religious life working as a teacher and as a Principal in San Antonio, Texas, and in Upland, California. Sister will be visiting the sick and homebound, working with the Legion of Mary and be helping in adult education and formation programs for the Parish.

We also welcome Sister Sheral Marshall of the Sisters of St. Francis. Sister is a native of Sacramento. In recent years,she has ministered at Mission Dolores Parish in San Francisco and before that at Good Shepherd Parish in Pacifica. Sister will be the Pastoral Associate for Liturgy in the Parish. She will be helping us continue to pray and worship together as a Parish family and will help develop the many ministries needed for Parish worship.

A third new member of the Parish staff is Juan Santos. Juan will be our part time youth minister. Juan is a native San Franciscan. He grew up in St. Elizabeth's Parish and went to Archbishop Riordan High School. Last year he graduated from Chaminade University in Honolulu. For many years, the Parish Council has strongly recommended we hire a person to minister to the high school and college age youth of the Parish. Thank you to Father Tom and his committee who worked so hard to bring about the filling of this position. A special thank you also to Diana Landin and the others who continue to give so much time to working with the youth of our Parish.

I know all of you will welcome Sister Patricia, Sister Sheral and Juan to our Parish. Please pray that their ministries might be blessed by God.

 The Adult Choir singing at the 9:30 a.m. Mass is ready to begin a new year raising their voices in praise. We are seeking new members to come join us. You don't need to be a "professional" singer, but simply someone who enjoys singing and has a willingness to praise God in song.

Rehearsals are every Wed. from 7-9 p.m. We are going to be rehearsing music for Advent and Christmas soon, and would love to invite new members to help us make these seasons truly joyous! On Sunday, we gather at 9:00 a.m to warm-up prior to the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

There will also be other opportunities to sing, including the Church Festival and the Christmas Eve liturgies. Although we would welcome you to join us throughout the year, if you can not make that commitment, we would be happy for you to sing for Nov. and Dec. in preparation for Christmas. We are going to be planning a midnight mass with many beautiful and festive music selections.

The choir is also planning a beginning of the year party to be held sometime in late Sept. This will be a chance to welcome new members and rehearse music for the Festival. More details about this event, as well as a date and time will be forthcoming.

I would also like to invite any of or congregation who play instruments to come join us. We are always looking for instrumentalists to help accompany the choir. There would be opportunities for the Christmas liturgies as well as Masses throughout the year.

We are preparing to being a new era of youth ministry here at St. Robert's—beginning with the 5 p.m. liturgy on Sunday, Oct. 19th, we will celebrate an evening liturgy on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. This Mass will be `geared' in a special way to the culture and needs of our high school aged teens.

Thank you and all the good people at St. Robert's for your continuing monthly support of our work with those in need in our community. It is through such generosity that we are able to continue serving those in need.

Peace,
Peter

Classes will be held at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm starting September 16th:

Introduction to Lay Ministry - 12 weeks
Old Testament Survey - 24 weeks
New Testament Survey - 24 weeks
Catholic Evangelization - begins
October 28th for 12 weeks

To Join the Filipino American Group
In celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila

Novena/Prayer
September 18-20
7:30 p.m. in Mary's Chapel.

FESTIVAL RAFFLE NEWS!
The "Western Weekend" Festival Raffle is coming up! The Grand Prize is $2,000. CASH! A total of $5,000 will be awarded! So buy your tickets right away. Call Wayne Gomes if you need tickets.

High Roller Raffle
If you have not bought your High Roller ticket, don't delay. Call Wayne Gomes to get your ticket.

FESTIVAL HELP WANTED
As always the Barbecue and Food Booths are in need of your help. Several people are needed to work in these two very popular booths and everyone from the parish is welcome to help. Most shifts are for two hours, or you can work for as many hours as you would like and on all three days if you wish.

This years menu will include those all time favorites—delicious barbecued tri-tip steak sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, polish sausages, Domino's Pizza, nachos, soft drinks, candy and much more.

Our Sept. book is "Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives" By Wayne Muller. This book has been described as, "One of the best spiritual books of the year." Plus, can't we all use a book that helps us to create a special time of rest, and renewal in our busy lives?

In conjunction with the Blood Bank of the Pacific
Thursday, September 11th, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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

Who should attend?

• If you have already decided you want to join the Catholic church.

• If you think you might want to join the Catholic Church and need help deciding.

• If you have been baptized and have not received First Communion or Confirmation.

• If you have been baptized in another Christian faith and seek information about becoming Catholic.

• If you have been away from the Catholic Church and want to come back home.

What is the opportunity?

St. Roberts Parish will begin the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program for those Adults interested in becoming Catholic or returning to the Church. Members of the clergy and laity will teach, mentor and share their faith throughout the process that culminates at the Easter Vigil with the candidates receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.

When and where is it?

We will be hosting an initial session for those interested on Thursday, September 11th from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Mahoney Room of the Presentation Education Center.

The RCIA program will meet weekly on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. beginning on September 18th and continuing through May. Meetings will be held the Convent Chapel.

How can I get more information for myself or others?

The St. Robert's Parish Teen Club welcomes all High School age youth of the community. We come together on a monthly basis for meetings and various activities including:

Community Service,
Spiritual Reflection,
Fund Raisers,
Trips,
Teen Club Social Night, &
Fun Nights