A Message from Sr. Sheral

As some of you are aware, my community is selling our motherhouse/conference center in Redwood City. One of our sisters is a CPA and two years ago had done an actuarial study of our province with the numbers, ages, and needs of our sisters compared with the salaries which those of us working bring in. Of the 93 in our province, living in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Palenque, Mexico, about one third of us are working since we have many older and infirm sisters who can no longer work and some young ones (thank God!) who are in school. She figured that if we didn't sell our property, our finances would last 10 years maximum. Part of our commitment of poverty is that we share our material resources and promise to support and care for each other. We don't get any financial support from "the Church," with the exception of a very small percentage of the yearly Religious Retirement collection. We tend to live a long time – our oldest sister turned 107 in October! So we needed to do what so many of you have done: sell the family home so that you have the funds to provide an assisted living situation for your parents. [I just did this last fall with my parents' home as well.]

The group buying our property is a Japanese Buddhist lay religious community. Two weekends ago we had a ritual passing on this sacred place to them. [We're actually moving out by the end of April.] We've had receptions, professions, funerals and jubilee celebrations there for 43 years. After songs and readings, we gave them a tree as symbol of the spiritual life which they will continue through their meditation classes and prayer services at "our" house. Their philosophy is that one reaches nirvana (heaven, we would say) through everyday acts of compassion and loving kindness ("I was hungry and you gave me to eat."). We are grateful to God for sending us buyers who will continue to reverence the land and use the buildings to help people discover the divine spark within them. The 16 of us who were living on the property have moved into our retirement facility in Santa Maria or to one of two houses in Redwood City or a house in Belmont.

I'll be living with 4 other sisters in the Belmont house. Please pray for us during this difficult time of transition. Thank you.

Use of Envelopes

"I give to my church! What diffence does it make whether I use these envelopes or not? Who cares? Ever heard that? Maybe even said it to yourself?

Certainly the gift and the intent of the giver are more important than the envelope the contribution comes in. But good stewards often "wrap their gift" in an envelope-and for some very good reasons!

First, taking the time to find the offertory envelope and seal my gift inside makes it more likely that my contributions will be planned and thoughtful, rather than random-and-more than just the available change in my pocket when the usher passes the basket.

And, in addition to giving me some time for reflection, that preparation means I won't be caught off guard at collection time or find myself hurriedly writing a check while the lector proclaims the first reading.

Wrapping my gift in an envelope is also a witness to my membership in this faith community. It says "I belong to this parish. I am an active member of the Body of Christ." It says, "I support the work of the church in general and of this parish in particular."

Our Parish Directory of 1999 was a great success and is still being used by many parishioners. However, it is now a little outdated so it is time to publish a new one. If you would be interested in helping with this project, please phone Father Ring or Kathy at the Parish Office (589-2800). We are hoping that the new Directory would be available in the Fall of this year.

During Teen Room Office Hours, feel free to come to do homework, hang out, socialize, play a game or talk. I hope to see you at as many events as possible - real soon! Teen Room Office Hours are as follows:

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.

The first reading today from the prophet Jeremiah is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the passage leaves out Jeremiah's struggle with the declaration that he was appointed to be a prophet, in those days [and now] a role involving ridicule, persecution and sometimes, death. Jeremiah argues that he is too young and doesn't know how to speak. Yahweh [God] answers him that he will be with him and give him words to speak. This is always the pattern in the scriptures: God asks something difficult of someone [Jeremiah, Isaiah, Mary], the person hesitates [in Mary's case, asks how this can come about], God promises to be with the person, the person says yes.

Jesus,
Out of love for us you came to Earth in the form of a child. In your lifetime you welcomed and embraced children. You brought the synagogue leader's daughter back to life. You healed the royal official's son, the centurion's servant, the widows son, the little boy who had seizures. You restored Jairus' daughter to life and gave her back to her parents. You said that anyone who welcomes a child in your name welcomes you, and that only those with childlike hearts can share in your heavenly reign.

We pray for all children especially those whose innocence is stolen away by neglect, poverty, war, abuse, harmful work and social wrongs .

May your grace, working through the hearts and hands of compassionate women and men everywhere, enable children to experience love, healing and the joy of life.

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.

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