As we studied today's readings together, we were surprised to see how well they were connected.

David had the motive, opportunity and means to destroy Saul, his enemy. He, knowing that Saul was the Lord's anointed, could not harm him. Are we not all, through Jesus, the Lord's anointed?

Paul tells us we have a natural self, coming to us through Adam; and a spiritual self, coming to us through Jesus. Our natural inclinations come first; then our spiritual. As we get to know Jesus, through His Word, we are able to become like Him — to bear His image.

Each of us remembers being hurt by another. The deepest wounds are inflicted by someone we love — a member of our family, a close friend. Words spoken or written have the power to pierce our heart and become entrenched in our memory. It is hard to forgive — our natural inclination is to not forgive or forget. But Jesus asks it of us:

Instead of giving up chocolate this Lent, we decided we will look into the darkest corner of our hearts. There we will find that one person whom we have not been able to forgive. We will ask Jesus to help us let go of our hurt and anger — to heal our memory. It may take us the whole six weeks of Lent to bring ourselves to forgive this person; but we will persevere! What a joy on Easter to look into the eyes of this special someone and say, "I forgive you; please forgive me!"

FORGIVE AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN!

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.

Ash Wednesday Is Here
This Wednesday, the whole Church begins the holy season of Lent. As children, we may have dreaded Lent because of its practices of giving up something, usually candy or television or something else we enjoyed. The point seemed to be that the more difficult it was, the more pleasing would our sacrifice be to God. Now that we are adults, we hopefully have a more mature understanding of the purpose of Lent. Originally, Lent was "invented" for the catechumens, those unbaptized persons wanting to become followers of Jesus Christ. We still keep that aspect of Lent through the Rite of Election which happens at the cathedral on the First Sunday of Lent, after the parish community has prayed for the inquirers; and through the scrutinies which take place the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent. The catechumens are then baptized, confirmed and receive their First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. If you really want to let them know that you value their joining us, come to that celebration!

And what about us who've already received our sacraments? Through the centuries, those already Christian have been asked to pray for these special people and to heed the call to our own conversion, that change of heart which each of us needs until we die. Traditionally, we've done the practices which every major religious tradition values: fasting, prayer and giving alms. The Archdiocesan directives appear in this bulletin, and though they are important, they are minimal. This Lenten invitation to a change of heart deserves a fuller response than what we so sincerely did as children.

We might ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us as Lent begins. What do I need to fast from? From negative comments? From a hectic pace which leaves me crabby with my friends and impatient with my children? How might I pray these 40 days? Could I possibly commit to the Stations of the Cross and soup suppers at least two or three times?

Could I take 15 minutes during my lunch hour or on the way home from work to reflect on God's goodness to me and how I might respond more wholeheartedly? The almsgiving takes place at the soup supper through a donation to St. Vincent de Paul of the amount you'd usually spend to buy the ingredients for your dinner at home. Or you might save most of your change during Lent and give it to your favorite charity, the San Bruno Catholic Worker, Bread for the World, Habitat for Humanity. Please take some time this week for reflection. None of us is the same person we were last Lent. By opening ourselves to God's transforming Spirit, we won't be the same by Easter.

LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE

From the end of the first century, Christians have observed Fridays, and later the 40 days of Lent, as fast days in commemoration of the Passion of Jesus. Catholics share the great tradition of fasting along with all the worlds great religious traditions, Jewish, Muslim and the religions of the Far East. Fasting also reminds us also of our spiritual poverty and of the material poverty of most of the human race. It reminds us what it is like to be hungry and of our need to share what we have. This Lent let the symbolic gesture of fast and abstinence be a way for you to follow in the footsteps of Christ.

ABSTINENCE

Everyone fourteen years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on ASH WEDNESDAY, the FRIDAYS of LENT and GOOD FRIDAY.

FAST

Everyone eighteen years of age and older but under the age of sixty is also bound to fast on ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY.

On each Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday), Stations will be held in the Church at 6:00 p.m. A light Lenten Supper will follow in Hennessy Hall. This is an opportunity for us to pray together and for members of our Parish family to get to know one another. Please put in the basket in the hall what you would have spent on your usual Friday dinner. Your donation will allow our St. Vincent de Paul Society to feed our sisters and brothers who are in need.

Together we will celebrate the three Lenten practices:

PRAYER
Stations of the Cross

FASTING AND Abstinence
A light meal following Stations

ALMSGIVING
A donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society.

February 27th
Stations presented by
Legion of Mary and Fil/Am
Supper prepared by
Men's Club

RITE OF ELECTION NEXT WEEKEND

The Rite of Election is the celebration in which the Archbishop welcomes and accepts those adults preparing for the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. During the 11:30 a.m. Mass the Catechumens and Candidates of our RCIA program will be blessed and sent on their way to meet the Archbishop in San Francisco. At 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral, all the people preparing for the Easter Sacraments from Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo will gather with Archbishop William Levada. The Catechumens of our RCIA program will sign their names to the Book of Elect. The Archbishop will then attach the Archdiocesan seal to the Book of Elect from each parish. All parishioners are invited to attend and witness this celebration with our participants.

This year our Catechumens and Candidates include:

Please continue to pray for them as they prepare in a special way for Easter.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY

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:

Auditions will be held in the parish hall
from 7:30 -8:30 p.m. on
Monday, February 23rd
Thursday, February 26th

The Passion Play is a re-enactment of Jesus life during Holy Week. All junior high and high school teens are invited to join us. Any questions call Ben Baldonado.

Monday February 23rd-Junior/Senior night in San Bruno Park. Teen Room,7-9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 24th-Social night in the Hall, 8-9p.m.

St. Robert's St. Vincent de Paul Chapter

Listed are a few of the food stuffs that we are running low on: jams and jellies, canned vegetables, cereal and oatmeal, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, juices, packaged cookies, condiments, and canned meats and tuna.

We are also collecting Scrip for MOLLYSTONE, ALBERTSON'S, LUNARDI'S, and SAFEWAY. You may make out certificates to Saint Vincent de Paul and either mail them or drop them in the rectory mailbox.