As I tried to express last Sunday, I have mixed feelings about my move from St. Robert's to St. Denis in Menlo Park. After fourteen years, I will miss you and the wonderful "family" of St. Robert's and of San Bruno. At the same time, I know it is time for me to be in a smaller Parish where I can spend more time in priestly ministries and less time as an administrator. I also feel that in many ways my dreams for St. Robert's have been fulfilled - not always in the way I thought. It is now time for a new Pastor to come and share his vision and his ideas with you. One thing I do know for sure is that you will be as welcoming to him as you have been to me. I will be forever grateful for your goodness and your personal support. The move will be effective on July 1st.

On behalf of the Archbishop, I invite all of you to come to a meeting with two representatives of the Archbishop on the night of Thursday, April 29th, at 7 p.m., in Hennessy Hall. At that time, you can share with them your hopes for the future of our Parish. Please make an effort to attend. Your input is important.

I join Sister Sheral in thanking all who gave so much of their time and talent to make our Lent, Holy Week and Easter so special. Congratulations to those who were baptized or received into the Church. Your commitment is a great sign of hope.

This is also a time of change for our school. As many of you know, Mrs. Pat Bordin is leaving the position of Principal. A search committee has been formed and will be actively seeking a replacement. The thanks of all of us should go to Pat for her wonderful work as both a teacher and as a principal. She has influenced countless numbers of students by her faith and her dedication. May God bless her and Bill and their family.

Please remember that not all change is bad. It can be an opportunity for growth and a sign of maturity.

The Church Is Open

St. Robert's is open from before the 6:30 am Mass until 5pm. As you're going from work or school or are on your way to the park, why not come in and thank the Lord for the gift of life and the beauty of these days?

Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French Carmelite, is known for his wonderful experience of God's immediate presence. He has said: "...spend the remainder of your life only in worshiping God...a little adoration...sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sorrows and sometimes to return to Him thanks for the benefits He has given you, and still gives you, in the midst of your troubles...You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we think".

We're in Good Company!

The gospel readings last week and this week are so comforting. Jesus doesn't choose super heroes, perfect people to be his disciples and spread his message. He chooses doubting, fearful human beings who are slow to believe, who don't quite "get" it, who so quickly go back to life as it was before he encountered them. We might think that spending time with him, witnessing his miracles, sensing the divine about him would have changed them forever. But they are so very like ourselves. Haven't each of us witnessed God's presence and grace-filled action in our own lives? Haven't we experienced God seeing a family member or good friend through difficult times? Don't most of us find it challenging to really trust, though God has proven countless times to be a faithful friend? And don't we, too, have a short memory span?

Jesus doesn't berate the disciples nor express his disappointment with them. He wishes them peace; he breathes the Spirit upon them; he has breakfast with them. And, at least according to John's community, Jesus even gives Peter the chance to three times assert his love for him to counteract the three times Peter had denied him. So, ladies and gentlemen, we can't let ourselves off the hook by saying, "I'm not holy enough" or "I don't have it in me to be a disciple." We've been called by God through our baptism to which we just recommitted ourselves and we've been strengthened by the Spirit we received in confirmation. Remember that entity called "actual grace"? My recollection is that it referred to the Holy Spirit providing the insight or courage or "push" that one needed to do whatever was called for in a given situation. The only question is the one which Jesus put to Peter: "Do you love me?"

The Holy Spirit is always active within you, always there to guide, support, console, strengthen and encourage. In other words, the Holy Spirit is God's constant love – both within you and all around you, like the water that surrounds a fish. You live and move and draw every single breath within the loving presence and grace of the Holy Spirit. That's what we believe when we say the words, "I believe in the Holy Spirit."

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. Teen Room Office Hours are as follows:

Spiritual Reading is available at Saint Robert's every other Sunday morning after the Masses in the vestibule of the church. Please, take a few minutes and check out an interesting book to read. Thanks to some generous donors we now have 625 books in our collection. Thanks a million to all those who donated and shared their inspirational books with others.

We would like to invite all the parents of children ages 4 and under to a social event and you can bring your babies. Many of you have suggested that we have this type of an event. This is your chance to socialize and meet other parents and have a good time. We will provide the wine, cheese and crackers, water and soft drinks; you provide the conversation. We hope to have some teens available to help supervise the children. This is a first time event and if you chose we could schedule more opportunities. The choice is yours. Join us and let us know what you think.

The Consolation Ministry Committee will meet in Mary's Chapel Wednesday morning, May 5th from 9 to 10 a.m. Any one wishing to join this group are very welcome.

Next month's Grief Support Group will take place on Saturday, May 22nd at 3p.m. (Before the 4:30 p.m. Mass) in the Convent Chapel. Anyone who is suffering from the loss of a loved one-spouse, sibling, child, friend or relative is invited to come and pray, share, comfort or be comforted. All who are grieving are invited come and pray with us. You are welcomed to bring a companion, if you so wish. God bless you in your sorrow. Sister Patricia 589-0104.