An important part of Parish Life is the building of community and forming friendships among the members of the Parish. At St. Robert's, we have a strong tradition of doing this.

During the past few weeks, the In-Betweeners (a group made up of people whose children have graduated from grammar school and high school and would like to keep old friendships and make new ones) and the Men's Club (for all men) of the Parish have had Crab dinners. Between the two, over 400 people had a great meal and a wonderful evening. Next year when you see the notice that the Crab dinners are going to be held sign up early, or, better yet, come to one of the meetings.

After the 11:30 Mass on February 22nd, the Grownups (for parishioners who are near retirement or have already retired) will have their annual Communion brunch. If you do not belong, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted. Sign-ups for the Brunch are after Masses.

The Women's Guild (for all women of the Parish) is not to be out done in building community but also in raising funds for our Parish. The annual dinner dance will be held on Saturday night, March 6th. Look in this bulletin for further information. This is a great opportunity for all Parishioners to come together for a fun evening and to serve a good cause.

We all owe thanks to the leadership of these organizations for working so hard and making St. Robert a very special place.

To facilitate all those who wish to check out a Spiritual book for Lent, we will have some books available in the vestibule of the Church on a Library cart after the Masses. This is our first time checking out these books and we are very excited about being of "Reading" service to you.

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 all those grieving and in need of support with special emphasis on the Parents who are trying to cope with the loss of a child. Widows Widowers are welcome.

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!

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

A MEDITATION

Not only is God always in the place where you are, but God is in a very special manner in the depths of your spirit.

We do not very often come across opportunities for exercising strength, magnanimity, or magnificence; but gentleness, temperance, modesty, and humility, are graces which ought to collar everything we do. There may be virtues of a more exalted mould, but...these are the most continually called for in daily life.

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves. Those who believe themselves to be far advanced in the spiritual life have not even made a good beginning.

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

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:

Sunday, February 15th-Youth Mass at 5 p.m and social to follow.

Tuesday, February 17th-Prepare lunches for the homeless from 8-9:30 p.m. in the Hall, call Diana Landin and let her know what you will be bringing.