St. Robert's Catholic Church Bulletin, October 17, 2004

St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
October 17, 2004
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends:

We sat together over a cup of tea and studied today’s readings. In them we found such encouragement. Moses trusted completely in God as he persistently and relentlessly prayed, with his hands held high, that his people would win a seemingly impossible battle. Moses’ brother and friend kept his hands steady till sunset. They worked together with expectant faith in the power of prayer...Victory was theirs!

Next, St. Paul tells us to remain faithful to what we have learned and believed. We are to proclaim God’s Word and live it ‘whether it is convenient or inconvenient’. This is not always easy, especially when we, as Christians, seem to be in the minority.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us ‘to pray always without becoming weary’. The widow aggressively and fearlessly pestered the judge until he gave in to her request.

October is Respect Life Month. As Christians, we sometimes feel discouraged and helpless as we see abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, cloning, assisted suicide, the death penalty becoming more and more acceptable in our Nation. Rationalization has buried truth.

We ask ourselves, What can we do to turn the tide away from this disregard for human life?

As Moses realized, our first duty is to pray unceasingly. Let us pray for a change of heart in those who see life differently than do we. We pray that our Nation will become a staunch supporter of all life...from the first moment of conception till natural death. We need to speak out against these abuses. We can encourage, support and help women who are in the midst of difficult pregnancies. We must let our elected officials hear, loud and clear, that life is sacred and only God has the authority to give it and take it away.

Jesus is with us throughout life at all its stages. He asks us to open our eyes to see Him in everyone who suffers. He wants us to reach out and help them—for it is in these precious children of God that Jesus lives!

LOVE LIFE—LIVE LOVE!

Gene & Anna May

FYI

In case you’re new to the parish, it would be good for you to be aware that here at St. Robert’s we’ve tried to accommodate different groups in the parish by different “styles” of liturgy. The 9:30 am Mass Sunday is geared towards families with children: the music is upbeat; kindergarteners through fifth graders are sent forth from this Mass to hear the scripture readings at their own level and participate in sharing led by well-prepared adults. The 5 pm Mass Sunday is geared towards youth and young adults with music and homilies addressing their needs. The 4:30 pm Saturday and the 7:30 am and 11:30 am Sunday Masses are a bit more traditional, hopefully meeting the needs of the parish at large. Of course, anyone is most welcome to participate in whichever Mass you wish.

Monday - October 18 Readings: 2 Tm 4:10-17b Lk 10:1-9
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Rebecca Smith † James Brown †
Women's Guild	6:00p	Hall
Tuesday - October 19 Readings: Eph 2:12-22 Lk 12:35-38
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Eugene Pometta † Reno Tonegato †
Scripture Reading Religious Education Legion of Mary Robert's Readers Athletic Board Meeting	9:30a 3:30p 6:30p 7:00p 7:00p	Mary's Chapel Church/Hall Library Convent Chapel Mahoney Room
Wednesday - October 20 Readings: Eph 3:2-12 Lk 12:39-48
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Margaret Dowd † Bernadette Thompson †
7th Gr. Cheerleading Arch Handbook Mtg. Choir Practice Eucharistic Minister Mtg. Bible Study	3:00p 3:15p 7:00p 7:00p 7:30p	Parking Lot Hall Church Church Convent Chapel
Thursday - October 21 Readings: Eph 3:14-21 Lk 12:49-53
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Special Intention Frances Friedman †
Religious Education RCIA School Board Meeting	3:30p 7:00p 7:30p	Church/Hall Convent Chapel Mahoney Room
Friday - October 22 Readings: Eph 4:1-6 Lk 12:54-59
Mass Intention	6:30 8:30	Geary Cross † Allen Verza †
8th Gr. Cheerleading Men's Club InBetweeners' Mtg	3:00p 4:45p 6:00p	Hall Hall Hall
Saturday - October 23 Readings: Eph 4:7-16 Lk 13:1-9
Mass Intention	8:30 4:30	Paul & Rosina Vella † Timothy Leahy †
Men's Club Computer Class Eucharistic Minister's Mtg. Consolation Ministry	6:00a 9:00a 9:00a 3:00p	Hall Computer Classroom Mary's Chapel Convent Chapel
Sunday - October 24 Readings: Sir 35:12-14,16-18 2 Tm 4:6-8,16-18 Lk 18:9-14
Mass Intention	7:30 9:30 11:30 5:00	Tom & MaryAnne Begley † Mauro Sciacqua † Simon Corry † People of St. Robert's
Fil/Am Choir Youth Ministry	10:00a 6:00p	Hall Hall

As a Parish Community...We pray that our nation may return to the belief that all children, born and yet to be born, healthy or handicapped, are gifts from God.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Conor Mark Costello &
Lily Marie Garcia

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY MARRIED

Melissa Marcazzo & Matthew McNichol

SICK RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

We pray for the ill: Olga Aiello, Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Alejandro Ayllon, Robert Bacci, Genaro Badiable, Lito Badiable, Patrick Burke, Maricris Candelaria, Arthur Candia, Carmen Capella, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Salvador Canjura, Cindy Corona, Ana Cosgaya, Walton Dickhoff, William & Sandra Dill, Dan Drew, Carl Edwards, Adela Florez, Jesse Grube, Claire Hamilton, Denise Hawald, Dominique Hauscarriague,Jr, Viko Ivancich, Joanne Johnson, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Sisilia Langi, Shirley Latham, Josephine Lavoie, Austin Lehman, Lena Lucarotti, Michael Martinez, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Terry McLeod, Josie Mercado, Mary Novickas, Thomas O'Brien, David Papageorgiou, Lara Pinten, Jason Pimentel, James Piazza, Helen Restani, Mamo Scanlan, Pauline Speranza, Bill Stockinger, Justo Tan, Mafi Tukumoatu, Kristi Varni, Diana Walter & Jennifer Westbrook.

We would like to update this list. Please review and call the rectory at 589-2800 if someone you know can be removed.

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Marie Shickluna
who died recently.

EMERGENCY PRAYER NETWORK

The Emergency Prayer Network continues to pray for specific intentions that require a concerted effort due to their critical nature. To facilitate the network, please call Michele Pipinich. The network then prays frequently for the next 72 hours. We would appreciate a return call with the outcome so we can praise God for His faithfulness.

by Sister Sheral

All Souls Day
As the leaves begin to turn, our thoughts turn to the cycle of life and death all around us in nature. In addition to the usual 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Masses, this year we will be celebrating a 7:30 p.m. Mass on All Souls Day, November 2. Our Consolation Ministry group, under Sr. Patricia's leadership, will be sending special invitations to anyone who has lost a loved one during the past year. But everyone is invited to come to pray for those who have gone before us "marked with the sign of faith" as the liturgy beautifully expresses it. It would also be wonderful for us as parishioners to be supportive of our friends here who are grieving. There will be a simple reception afterwards.

Proposition 71
During this election season, our prayers and thoughts inevitably turn to the important issues placed before us. Some issues raise serious moral questions for us as Catholics.

Proposition 71 is one of those issues. Prop. 71 proposes financing embryonic and adult stem cell research up to $350 million a year through bonds. The emotionally-loaded ads encouraging support promise wonderful scientific advances for Alzheimer's, cancer, Parkinson's and other debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Sometimes, those who oppose this research are classified as uncaring, ultra-conservative and opposed to scientific breakthroughs. For us as Catholics, the problem is that embryonic stem cells can only be "harvested" by destroying the embryo, which we consider a human life. There are other options. We are not opposed to adult stem cell research. There have been marvelous breakthroughs in using adult stem cells; as the Voter Information Guide states, placenta "cord blood stem cells are being used to treat sickle cell anemia with a staggering success rate of 90%." You may have read the article some weeks ago about the man whose bone marrow was put in a netting of some sort in his back, coaxed to grow into bone and successfully replaced part of his lower jaw which had been destroyed by cancer. There is no need for embryonic stem cell research when so little has been explored of the possibilities of adult stem cells.

The other issue raised by this proposition is the economic toll it would take on state funds. It is being proposed as a constitutional amendment which, I daresay, means it would be funded regardless of the rise or fall of the California economy. Funds sorely needed for healthcare, housing and education, especially for the poor, would be earmarked for this unproven idea.

Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers, I look forward to seeing you at our gathering this Wednesday at 7 pm or this Saturday at 9 am in the church. Please wear your nametags.

Women's Retreat
Our November 13 retreat day at Mercy Center is filling up quickly. If you’d like to come, please pick up a pink form at one of the church entrances and get your reservation in soon.

Advent Wreath Making
Five weeks from now, on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 9 am, we’ll be making our Advent Wreaths in the hall as we did last year. Did you save your metal ring and plastic tray? I’ll be taking sign-ups soon, so you might want to see if you can find yours. (Otherwise, you can order another one.)

WOMEN'S GUILD

October Women’s Guild meeting on October 18th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. cost is $10. Please R.S.V.P. to Teresa Nussbaum or email bnussbaum@earthlink.net.

MEN'S CLUB "Monte Carlo Night"

Saturday, October 23rd at Hennessy Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be Craps, Roulette, Blackjack and slot machines. Cash and prizes. This is a great night of fun. Please call Joe Simpson for reservatons and/or inormation.

SOCIABLES

ATTENTION….Let us get together for lunch at Dominic's at the Popular Creek Golf Course in San Mateo on October 24th at noon. Please respond by October 21st to Bunny Moniz.

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS!

The Annual Women’s Guild Craft night will be held on Monday, November 8th. The cost of a table is $10.00 and for one-half of a table is $5.00. Please contact Teresa Nussbaum to reserve your table or email bnussbaum@earthlink.net.

RELIVE our festival memories with the pictures posted on the St. Robert's website www.saintroberts.org

TIPPS
Toddlers, Infants, Preschoolers, and Parents Social

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Join TIPPS for our Halloween get-together!!

Friday, October 29th, 6:30 p.m. in Hennessy Hall

Kids costumes are optional. There will be a potluck-please bring an item to share with six people, and a toy for your child to play with (no balls or weapons please). Feel free to invite new TIPPSters! As was discussed at our last meeting, we would love to see all the kids in costume-BRING YOUR CAMERA.

See you then!!

**Adults willing to help babysit this event, please call Deacon Duffey 589-2800

CONSOLATION MINISTRY

Saint Robert’s Grief Support Group will hold their next meeting on October 23 in the Convent Chapel from 3-4:15p.m. (before the 4:30 p.m. Mass). Anyone who is suffering from the loss of a loved one—spouse, sibling, child, parent friend, or relative is invited to come and pray, share, comfort and be comforted. You are invited to bring a companion for support and strength. God Bless you in your sorrow. Sister Patricia-589-0104.

WOMEN'S RETREAT DAY

We just heard that the room we’ll have at Mercy Center can only accommodate 50 women, so if you’d like to come to this retreat on Saturday, November 13 from 8:30am to 3 pm, please pick up a pink form at the main entrance to the church, fill it out with your $30 donation and drop it by the rectory or the school, addressed to Sr. Sheral or Donna McGuigan. Reservations are due by October 29.

We hope to see you there!

THE FAITH FORMATION CONFERENCE
October 30th

If you are looking for a day of renewal and inspiration join us October 30th at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Rev. Ron Rolheiser well known for his weekly column in the Catholic San Francisco will be our keynote speaker. There are 36 workshops offered in English. Topics range from Spirituality to Parenting, Globalization to Jesus in the Movies. For more informational and a brochure call (415) 614-5650 or visit our website at www.sforeym.org.

ST. DUNSTAN'S FALL FESTIVAL

The dates are October 22, 23 & 24. Pre-festival ride tickets can be purchased ahead of time for a discount by calling 697-4730.

SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION - 150 YEARS

The Sisters of the Presentation will be celebrating 150 years of service in the Archdiocese of San Francisco starting on November 13th. For more information call Sister Stephanie Still at (415) 422-5020 or e-mail at sstill@pbvmsf.org.

A NEW PARISH DIRECTORY COMING OUR WAY

A NEW
Parish Directory is about to happen!!!!

Photos will be taken in the Mahoney Room

PHOTO DATES ARE:
November 17th and 18th from 3-9:30 p.m.
November 19th from 1-9:30 p.m.
November 20th from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Pick your date and sign up this weekend

TELEPHONE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
November 3rd 6 to 9 p.m.
to schedule directory photo appointments.
Call Annetta Giambruno to help

St. Roberts School Outdoor Ed Program
is having a Fundraising Event
at Chevy’s, 141 Hickey Blvd., South San Francisco,
THIS SUNDAY ALL DAY

Chevy’s will donate 20% of the proceeds but you must bring a Chevy’s flyer along with you, that way we will get the credit. You can pick up a flyer in the back of the Church. For more information call Lil Finocchiaro.

We welcome into our parish:

Alejandro & Margie Garcia & Family
Jonas & Ria Tabucao & Family
Bob & Deanna Hulsmann & Family
Kevin Martinez & Family
Claudette O’Neal & Family
Mahendra Singh & Family
Matt & Jeanine Toomey & Family
Walter & Sandra Nelson & Family
John & Sue Spillane & Family
Michael & Clarissa Bautista

If you're new to St. Robert's, we ask that you complete a registration form found in the vestibule of the church. Drop it either in the collection basket, the mail, or at the parish office. We will send you a New Parishioner Packet with information about the parish, its organizations and groups.

Thank you for your generous donation of $ 2,344.11 to our School, CCD and Confirmation programs.

Catholic Teaching On Solidarity

We are one human family. We are our brothers; and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Pope John Paull II insists, “We are all really responsible for all.” Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace work for justice.” The Gospel calls us to be “peacemakers.” Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we be “sentinels of peace" in a world wounded by violence and conflict.

-USCCB Administrative Committee,
Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility, p. 15