St. Robert's Catholic Church Bulletin, January 25, 2004

St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
January 25, 2004
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

    

but_pacm.gif (4092 bytes)

Dear Parishioners:

Last Thursday, we celebrated the Chinese New Year, the year of the Monkey. With the recent and expected upcoming events, I should be celebrating the year of the children or the year of the family. At least that's the ministry where the Holy Spirit seems to be pushing me.

As many of you know, during Advent I was working to connect a new baby with a neighbor family who is seeking to adopt. The good news is the baby was adopted by a distant aunt and uncle, who have no children of their own. The sad news is my neighbors are still waiting anxiously to adopt. In speaking with them, I was amazed at their faith. They said, "God is waiting for just the right baby to send to us". I also became aware that there are at least two other couples in the parish that are also waiting to adopt. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

On Saturday, January 31st, Sister Patricia and I will be leading an Out of Harms' Way workshop. This is a two hour session for parents and guardians of children ages 4-14. Our hope is that the parents and guardians will learn some new skills for teaching their kids to be safe and strong. If you are unable to attend this session, there is also one scheduled on the evenings of February 5th and March 22nd.

Please also be aware of the San Mateo County's renamed Domestic Violence Protection Program called CORA-Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse agency. Their number is (800) 300-1080. Sister Patricia and I have participated in the first of several workshops they plan to offer.

If the Holy Spirit is also making you more aware of these needs in our society and our parish, please join Sister Patricia and I at our workshop. Together let's make this a year dedicated to helping our children and our families.

Deacon Duffey

    

but_wkat.gif (4737 bytes)

Monday - January 26
Readings: 2 Tm 1:1-8     Mk 3:23-30

Mass Intention
   
6:30
8:30
Ray Mattias †
Patricia Rael †
7th Gr. Cheerleaders 1:30p Hall
Tuesday - January 27
Readings: 2 Sm 6:12b-15     Mk 3:31-35
Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Minnie Belluomini †
Patricia Reidy †
Religious Education
Legion of Mary
Choir Practice
3:30p
6:30p
7:00p
Hall/Church
Library
Church
Wednesday - January 28
Readings: 2 Sm 7:4-17     Mk 4:1-20
Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Anne Marcellino †
Pasquale Aloise †
8th Gr. Cheerleaders
8th Gr. Dinner/Dance Reh.
Choir Practice
Bible Study
3:00p
4:30p
7:00p
7:30p
Hall
Hall
Church
Convent Chapel

Thursday - January 29
Readings: 2 Sm 7:18-19     Mk 4:21-25

Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Maria Baldi †
Mario Matiasic †
Religious Education
RCIA
3:30p
7:00p
Hall/Church
Convent Chapel

Friday - January 30
Readings: 2 Sm 11:1-4a     Mk 4:26-34

Mass Intention 6:30
8:30
Martha A. Bayors †
Brenda Bess †
8th Grade Cheerleaders
Kindergarten Mtg.
3:00p
5:00p
Hall
Hall

Saturday - January 31
Readings: 2 Sm 12:1-7a     Mk 4:35-41

Mass Intention 8:30
4:30
Carmela Dellegrazie †
People of St. Robert's
In Harms Way 8:30a Mahoney Room

Sunday - February 1
Readings: Jer 1:4-5     1 Cor 12:31—13      Lk 4:21-30

Mass Intention 7:30
9:30
11:30
5:00
Maria Emilio †
Patricia Hatcher †
Fran Presta †
Frank Pisa †
Fil/Am Choir Practice
Confirmation Class
8th Gr. Dinner Dance Reh.  
10:00a
3:00p
6:00p
Hall
Hall
Hall
    

but_rtrt.gif (2996 bytes)

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

Married Couples Retreat - Feb. 13-15
My Beloved
Carol Kaplan, MT and Barry Brunsman, OFM

    

but_yogr.gif (5279 bytes)

The month of January is Marianist Heritage month. This is the month we honor Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Society of Mary (the Marianist). Being a graduate of two Marianist schools, Archbishop Riordan and Chaminade University of Honolulu, Juan would like to invite all Teens to a Pizza Social in the Teen Room on Tuesday, January 27h, from 8-9 p.m.

    

but_evnt.gif (2293 bytes)

    

VOCATION DISCERNMENT DAY FOR YOUNG WOMEN

February 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. at Nazareth House, 245 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael. Contact Sr. Rose at (415) 479-8282.

    

CELEBRATE YOUR ANNIVERSARY
WORLD MARRIAGE SUNDAY

There will be an Archdiocesan Anniversary Mass on Saturday, February 21st at 12 Noon at St. Mary's Cathedral. It doesn't matter how many years you have been married. Please come and celebrate together. Contact the Parish Office for a registration form or call the Family Life Office (415) 614-5680.

    

THEOLOGY ON TAP

Monday evenings-January 26 to February 16 at Harrington's Bar and Grill, 245 Front St. in the Financial District 7:00 p.m. For more information: www.sfyam.org or (415) 614-5596

    

VELLA-DANKWERTH CULTURAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Maltese Cross Foundation is proud to announce its ninth annual Vella-Dankwerth Cultural Scholarship for students of Maltese descent in the San Francisco Bay Area. High school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply. Completed applications are due by March 22, 2004. For more information please Jennifer Dankwerth-Stunk (650) 272-1356.

    

but_webs.gif (2948 bytes)

St. Robert's web site is: www.saintroberts.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 who are practicing Catholics.

    

Last Thursday, the day of Chinese New Year "rightfully should be marked as a day of lamentation. It should be a day to grieve for lost potential, lost love, lost hopes, lost life."

Chicago Tribune columnist Joan Beck

    

but_parl.gif (3055 bytes)

As a Parish Community, We Pray...For all Christians—-the body of Christ—-may we together proclaim the sanctity of human life from the first moment of conception until natural death.

    

SICK RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Gabrielle Ausiello, Brady Avery, Robert Bacci, Genaro Badiable, Lito Badiable, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Maricris Candelaria, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Ana Cosgaya, Walton & June Dickhoff, William & Sandra Dill, Carl Edwards, Joyce Flax, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Jesse Grube, Denise Hawald, Dominique Hauscarriague,Jr, Sue Humphrey, Viko Ivancich, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Sisilia Langi, Shirley Latham, Josephine Lavoie, Austin Lehman, Marky, Michael Martinez, Kathryn McCann, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Terry McLeod, James Morrisey, Aurelia C. Munar, Thomas O'Brien, Lara Pinten, Jason Pimentel, James Piazza, Bill Reilly, Mary Shick, Pauline Speranza, Ron Stern, Justo Tan, Joan Thomsen, Mafi Tukumoatu, Gene VanSlett, Kristi Varni, Don Vickery, Diana Walter, Jennifer Westbrook & Frank Wright.

    

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Angelina Svedise
who died recently.

    

OUT OF HARM'S WAY
TEACHING KIDS TO BE SAFE AND STRONG

St. Roberts in cooperation with the Archdiocese of San Francisco will be offering a two-hour seminar to help parents and guardians of children ages 4-14 work with their children to help ensure a safer environment for them.

Parents and guardians are invited to a sexual abuse prevention and education program customized by the KidWISE Institute for Catholic Parishes. The first component of the program is Out of Harm's Way, a facilitator-led, video-based workshop for parents. Scheduled dates are this Saturday, January 31st, a week from Thursday on February 5th and March 22nd. You need only attend one session. Please mark your calendars.

Letters and registration forms were sent home with the Religious Education and school students. If you did not receive one or if your children are not enrolled in these programs, please contact the parish office and information will be sent to you.

    

but_lili.gif (3103 bytes)
by Sister Sheral

What a wonderful set of readings we have today! The one from Nehemiah makes our liturgies sound brief – the assembled people listen to the book of the law for hours! Paul's first letter to the Corinthians bears hearing over and over again: we are one body, the Body of Christ, regardless of our age, our political leanings, our ethnic background, our educational level, our devotional preferences. WE ARE ONE BODY. Pope John XXIII, known as the Good Pope John to many people, emphasized during the tumultuous and exciting years of the Second Vatican Council that there be unity (not uniformity) in essentials, and pluriformity in everything else. This is a difficult concept for many in the Church to grasp and live by. We know that there are different practices in different parishes in regard to marriage and baptismal preparation programs and requirements for entering the Catholic school. The homilies given by the priests or deacon on a given Sunday may take quite different approaches to the scripture.

One reason for this variety is that different personalities see, hear and interpret the same reality differently. Another more significant reason for the diversity is the fact that the Church, whether embodied as a parish or as the Church universal, is a living organism. It is a group of believers, baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection and guided by the Holy Spirit. Our policies and procedures always need to have room enough for the Spirit to work! As you sit in church reading this before Mass (not during the homily, please!) or when you come to Mass next time, be conscious of those sitting near you. What a marvelous Body of Christ we are!

Women's Retreat
There will be 40 of us on retreat at Mt. Alverno Conference Center Feb. 21. Thank you for your prompt sign-ups.

What About Singing?
Now that I've been here five months, may I make a suggestion? St. Robert's has a reputation – well deserved – as a wonderful parish. One area which we could improve upon is our singing. When I was a child growing up in Sacred Heart Parish, Sacramento, I loved going to Mass with my family because I was prematurely tall and standing next to my 6'7" father made me feel less awkward. I also loved the fact that my folks both sang every song whether they knew the piece or not.

I can imagine all the reasons people have for not singing. Maybe some of us don't feel we have a decent voice. Maybe some of us don't like to sing. Some of us may complain that the songs are too high or too low, too old or too new, but.I'm concerned that singing has always been part of our worship. Sometimes, I'll admit, we listened to the singing of others such as, the choir for a High Mass. But how shall the younger generation ever sing if we don't? I've seen members of our children's choir belt out the Holy, holy with great gusto and then remain mute when seated next to family members who don't sing. So could we please try? Thank you. As St. Augustine says, ["Those] who sing pray twice."

Peace,
Sr. Sheral

    

but_pevn.gif (3554 bytes)

    

ST. ROBERTS' ANNUAL CRAB
DINNER AND DANCING EXTRAVAGANZA

February 7th, 6:30 p.m. to Midnight (no host cocktails) in Hennessy Hall. Cost is $37.50 per person $75.00 per couple. **Reservations a must!** Call Dan Uroz.

    

SOCIABLES

Let us all get together for a Sunday Brunch Feb. 8th at noon at the Embassy Suites, 150 Anza Blvd. in Burlingame. Call Bunny Moniz for more information.

    

WOMEN'S GUILD

Monday, February 9th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. $10 for the evening! Come and enjoy the MYSTERY GUEST night! Call Teresa Nussbaum, or email bnussbaum@earthlink.net.

    

CONSOLATION MINISTRY
(Grief Support Group)

St. Robert's Consolation Ministry Committee meets on the First Wednesday of every month in Mary's Chapel, immediately after the 8:30 a.m Mass (9-10 a.m.). All are welcome.

Beginning this month we will host a Grief Support Group and plan to do so on the 4th Saturday of every month at 3:00 p.m. (before the 4:30 Mass) in the Convent Chapel.

February 28th we will meet with the Parents who are trying to cope with the loss of a child.

March 27th we will meet with the Widowers and work with them in their sorrow and bereavement. We hope to make this a monthly Ministry. We ask you to pray for its success.

For more information call Sister Patricia 589-0104.

    

SAINT ROBERT CHURCH LIBRARY
Volunteers Urgently Needed

So that we may make Spiritual reading available to our parishioners during the Season of Lent we are seeking some eager volunteers. First to form a "Saint Robert's Church Library Club" and then to process and prepare the books in the Reconciliation Room. No previous Library skills needed. For more info...please call Sister Patricia 589-0104.

    

ST. ROBERT'S WOMEN'S GUILD
CAREVALE - A NIGHT IN VENICE
DINNER DANCE/AUCTION

venice.gif (2838 bytes)

Saturday, March 6th
Hyatt in Burlingame
1333 Bayshore Highway

This is our annual dinner/auction that has been a great success throughout the years.

Tickets are $75.00 per person.
Seniors are $65.00 per person

For tickets please contact Karen Martinez

auction.gif (4217 bytes)

**The silent auction committee for the Dinner/Dance is in need of auction items. If you can donate gift certificates, a business service, cabin rentals, etc.; these are just examples of items we can use. Donations are needed by February 23rd. Please call Anna Carroll.

but_srhp.gif (2472 bytes)

but_n&p.gif (2093 bytes)

but_tofp.gif (1734 bytes)

but_mail.gif (2258 bytes)

but_s&c.gif (2105 bytes)