Dear Parishioners,

The scripture readings placed before us this weekend are quite emphatic—we are to serve the Lord, we are to set our priorities aright, we are to speak words of compassion and go about the deeds of justice.

A stern warning is given to those who would seek their own comfort and financial security before the justice owed to their neighbor:'...Come now, you rich weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you...'

In the strong words of Jesus, spoken in graphic hyperbole, we are taught to prefer nothing—-NOTHING—-to God! These are not words for the faint of heart! The Kingdom of God is to be proclaimed not only from the pulpits of our churches, but from the house-tops (our house-tops).

This festival weekend is an opportunity for our parish community to bear witness to our identity as a people of faith serving the Kingdom of God, Oh, I know it is time of fun —- of games, of talents shared, and fellowship enjoyed. It is also (unabashedly), a significant fund-raising event which benefits our school, religious education programs, youth ministry and parish.

But it is also an event which has as its' ultimate purpose the birthing of the Kingdom of God. In this event, as in every parish gathering, we say to one another and to the larger society around us, that God is the Lord —- and we serve our God always.

In the way we share responsibility for this community fostering festival weekend; in the ways in which we `pull-it-off', and enjoy one another's company, we give witness to the One who bids us live the Gospel joyfully.

May this weekend serve to remind us of the treasure we hold in common; not silver or gold, but that treasure so dear to the heart of the Lord, we are God's people in all things and always!

May the jubilation of this weekend reflect our faith and love, for God is good! All the time!

WINE AND CHEESE  OPEN HOUSE

To thank you for your generosity to the St. Robert's "Building for a New Century" campaign, you are cordially invited to a wine and cheese open house to view the new Presentation Education Center and the renovated Religious Education Office and the Teacher's Lounge.

Saturday, October 4, 2003
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There are a growing number of Christians who are referred to as FUNDAMENTALISTS. Catholics, all too often, do not know how to respond to them. For the next few weeks, we will present a few answers to some of the FUNDAMENTALISTS questions. The questions and answers come from Philip St. Roman's pamphlet: "Catholic Answers to Fundamentalists' Questions," Liguori Press.

This question gets at the heart of most of the issues raised by Fundamentalists. Christian groups which base themselves solely on the words of Scripture have always been critical of those Roman Catholic beliefs and practices that are not directly alluded to in the bible. Some Fundamentalists even go so far as to relegate nonscriptural matters to the realm of the pagan and non-Christian or even anti-Christian.

Roman Catholics have no problem accepting the validity of certain nonscritpural beliefs and practices; none of those beliefs that are acceptable go against Scripture. Catholics do not believe Christianity to be a mere "book religion" but as unique relationship between God and those human beings who follow his Son, Jesus, Christ. Christianity is the story of the Church and it is only in this context that the Bible can be properly appreciated.

Calling all Catholic teens! The SF Archdiocese is celebrating its 150th anniversary and they're inviting you to join in the celebration. Saturday, October 25th is the day to save on your calendar. Faith Factor is an all-day event designed to allow teens to share their faith, ideas for the future, and fun in the present with one another. Nationally recognized Michael Pritchard, comedian, actor, youth activist and counselor, and former California Probation Officer of the Year (all rolled into one) will entertain as the featured speaker. Workshops inn both English and Spanish will be available, as well as music, Mass and much more! Students should contact their parish or Youth Minister to sign up; every teen must be in a group or accompanied by an adult. Space is limited so guarantee yourself a space by signing up early! Cost is $25 and includes lunch and a t-shirt.

At 5:30 pm. October 4th there will be a Jazz Mass featuring a choir of youth and young adults from the Archdiocese, St. Paul of the Shipwreck's Gospel Choir and the Diocese of Monterey's Jazz Mass Ensemble. Fr. John Hardin, OFM. Director of the St. Anthony Foundation will serve as Principal Celebrant and Homilist. The Mass will include prayers for world peace. For more information please contact Doug Benbow, Direcot of Liturgy at St. Mary's Cathedral-(415) 567-2020 ext 220.

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.

CONGRATULATIONS
to

Tony and Mickey Yaquinto

Dear Parishioners,

Mother Teresa said: "to be alone with Jesus in adoration and intimate union with Him is the greatest gift of love—-the tender love of our Father in heaven. The fruit of our adoration is that our love for Jesus is more intimate, our love for each other is more understanding, our love for the poor is more compassionate."

Singers!!! and Instrumentalists!!!

We are preparing to begin a new era of youth ministry here at St. Robert's—beginning with the 5:00 p.m. liturgy on Sunday, October 19th, we will celebrate an evening liturgy on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. This Mass will be `geared' in a special way to the culture and needs of our high school teens.

If you are interested in singing or playing at these special youth liturgies, the rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Church. Please contact Greiselda MacDonald at (415) 564-8509. It promises to be a lot of fun!

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 a.m. on October 8th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

Give your marriage a well deserved vacation. Plan to go on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and come back with a marriage that is refreshed and full of energy! Call Dean and Claire Simonich at (650) 348-8957. Upcoming dates: Oct. 17-19 in Burlingame.