If you recall last Advent I asked you to pray with me for a young couple who had been trying for years to adopt and last December it looked as if their prayers were about to be answered. Well that opportunity did not work out and twice since then other opportunities changed at the last minute. I even solicited the help of our prayer network on one occasion. At one point during the year, the family had just about given up hope of having a family, even if they received one child it was very doubtful they would go through the process again.

On the Friday before Halloween, the wife, after talking with a young women numerous times on the phone, decided to fly to Houston. Because the birth mother had not recently been to a doctor, both women went together. The doctor surprised the women when he announced that she was expecting twins and was about ready to give birth.

After a few frantic phone calls, the husband left San Bruno to fly to Houston and arrived in time to be with his wife, the birth mother and the mother’s sister at the time of birth. Two very healthy, identical twin girls were born early on November 3^rd.

It was with great joy, that I went to the Airport on Nov. 13^th to welcome home the new family. Thank you all for your prayers. Persistent prayer and patience were God’s lesson for me this year. God works with a fuller vision of events than we can possibly imagine. Having spent time with the girls and their family, Christmas has arrived early this year, or late for last year – but who cares. There is love and joy in our neighborhood. I can only hope and pray for joy and love for you also this wonderful season where God’s love is made human.

PLEASE NOTE

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 8th,

A Holy Day of Obligation

Mass Schedule
6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 6:00 p.m.

“Youth is a time of an especially intensive discovery of a ‘self’ and ‘a choice of life’. It is a time for growth which ought to progress in wisdom, age and grace before God and people.”:            (Lk2:52)

A junior presidium of the Legion of Mary, will be this coming January. The main purpose of which is the sanctification of its members through prayer and apostolic work, will be established here at St. Robert's for young people up to the age of 18. We are inviting all young people of the parish to join us for a one-a-week session of prayer, reflection, and various religious and spiritual activities/experiences to enhance our Catholic upbringing. Sessions will be held on Sundays, and will usually be for one hour. Please call Sister Patricia, our spiritual director, at 589-0104 for further inquiries or to leave your name for one of the junior praesidium of the Legion of Mary to contact you.

As we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus, let us remember those members of our Parish Family who are homebound or residing in nursing facilities. They are waiting a sign of Jesus’ love for them. We can be that sign! Baskets have been placed on the altar steps for your Christmas gifts to them. A few suggestions are: slippers, robes, dusters, nightgowns, pajamas, sweaters, hand and body lotions, white knee socks, lap robes, cards and letters of encouragement. Please let your gift be new and unwrapped. Cutoff date is December 19th.

We are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you can prepare a favorite cookie, snack or lunch item for 10 to 12 people, please drop it off at the Children's Chapel, in the back of Church, by 9 a.m. on December 8th. Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

Once again this Christmas Season, we as a parish family will have an ADOPT-A-FAMILY GIVING TREE.

There are many people in San Mateo County who don’t have the means to celebrate Christmas as they might like. At the same time, many in our parish can celebrate with their families and share with those in need. An ADOPT-A-FAMILY program is a way to do this.

This weekend, December 4th and 5th, we will have a "Giving Tree" set up in front of church after all of the Masses. This tree will be “decorated” with paper ornaments containing a profile of a family you might be able to help.

If you have the means to share your Christmas spirit, stop by after any of the Masses on either of these weekends and pick an ornament. Gifts will be collected after Masses the weekend of December 11th and 12th, and 18th and 19th.

Yes, it’s that time of year. Last year our choirs went caroling to Emmanuel Convalescent Hospital to give a little holiday cheer. We made such an impact on them that they have invited us back again this year.

We are going to gather on Sunday, December 12th at 1 p.m. to have a short rehearsal of the carols we will sing. We will then caravan to the hospital to sing for about 45 minutes. We plan to arrive there at 2 p.m. As we did last year, we are inviting all of you who can give about 2 hours of your time and voice to join us. There will be familiar carols, so you shouldn’t feel that your voice is not good enough to come with us. All will be welcome, and it will give you a chance to sing Christmas Carols during Advent.

During the weeks ahead, we will be listing the names that we have been asked to pray for during the week. We will continue to ask each week that parishioners continue to pray for the chronically ill of our parish.

If you have a friend or loved one in need of our parish prayers please call the Rectory at 589-2800.

Also, remember our Emergency prayer network that continues to pray for specific intentions that require a concerted effort due to their critical nature. To facilitate the network, please call Michele Pipinich at 589-4963. 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:The Parish Priests and Staff

Saint Robert’s Grief Support Group will hold their next meeting on December 11th 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.

LAST CHANCE
ITS NOW OR NEVER

Signs of Hope

The first reading from Isaiah is so rich! “On that day” the reading begins, reminding us that the beautiful vision he is about to lay out will come in God’s time, not ours. This is God’s wish for the world: the wolf will be the guest of the lamb, the calf and lion browse together, the baby plays by the cobra’s den. “There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea.” And even though God’s kingdom will come at the end of time, we as a Church are called to be a reflection of that Reign of God even now, to be signs of hope. Last week we heard, “Stay awake!” Looking for signs of God’s presence breaking through the sometimes selfishness of our lives will help us stay hopeful. Such wonderful generosity of our parish to the St. Vincent de Paul food drive, our two Giving Trees, gifts for the homebound and the time and energy of many of you to distribute our donations are great signs of the Reign of God!

And how about each of us? Did we reach out to someone who was alone on Thanksgiving? Did we reach across the divide to call an estranged friend or family member? Did we willingly spend time – often more precious than money - with someone? (Family members count, too!) As Fr. Bruce’s column mentioned last weekend, we are an instant society. Could we drive a bit more slowly during this Advent time? Might we wave a “thanks” to the driver who lets us in? Might those of us whose minds are always running, try to be present to this moment, to the person in front of us? Might we talk with a neighbor or co-worker about the real meaning of Christmas and the practice of Advent waiting?

Next Saturday evening or Sunday, December 11th or 12th, light the two purple candles and the pink one and pray:

Our hearts are filled with joy as we look forward to the coming of your Son, the Promised One. Help us to share our time and our possessions with those who need them this week. We pray in his name, Emmanuel, God-with-Us. Amen.