The theme for this third week of reflection on Christian Stewardship is sharing God’s gifts. God calls each of us to discover and use the resources that He has entrusted to us. Each of us as individuals is a unique blend of ability and talents. Perhaps we have to discover some of our talents through our occupation or profession. God calls us to reflect not only on the talents of livelihood but also on our other gifts and interests as well. Perhaps we play a musical instrument or enjoy singing. Perhaps we like working with youth. Perhaps were a good with our hands and like doing crafts. Perhaps . . .

By virtue of our Baptism and Confirmation, we are commissioned by Jesus Christ to serve others, especially those in need. We share in Christ”s mission of building the Kingdom by serving one another and making the world a better place. For Christians, giving to God through our prayers, our offerings and our service, here in our parish and our community, is a must.

Recall all the pictures displayed during the ministry faire two weeks ago. The people of our parish are most generous with this gifts and talents. The men and women of our parish who give of their time on the finance council, parish pastoral council, school board and athletic board. The catechists who are teaching our children in CCD and Confirmation. The teachers and staff of our school who go that extra mile. The teams that help prepare people for the sacraments of Baptism and marriage. Our liturgical ministers who assist us with our Sunday liturgies. The adult and teen leaders who are re-building our youth program. The Eucharistic Ministers who visit the sick and homebound. Those who console others who experience a loss in their family. Those who spend their afternoons, evenings and weekends coaching our sports teams. This list goes on.

Each of us is gifted by God and called to use these gifts to build his family. Some are able to give many hours of time and some just one. The Lord appreciates us each time we use out gifts and talents to help another. Each day we make time to be with the Lord in prayer, we are deeply embraced by the love and grace of God.

Next weekend we will ask each family to make a commitment: to participate in Sunday Eucharist, to spend some time each week in prayer, to consider being a part of our parish organizations and ministries and to consider increasing their gift to the parish.

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Men's Club Meeting will be held TOMORROW Monday, November 7th in Hennessy Hall, Doors open at 6 p.m.

Wally Mooney received the Ozanam Service Medallion. The medallion is named for the Society’s founder, Frederic Ozanam. Honorees are self-giving persons who have devoted superlative service without seeking personal recognition. Wally has been a Vincentian for over 15 years and for the past few years he has been our parish St. Vincent de Paul president.

Marie and Carlo Noce were also honored with a Conference Recognition of Service award for their work at Café St. Vincent on Grand Avenue in So. San Francisco. Ten years ago Marie and Carlo started volunteering through St. Roberts after which they added additional hours by volunteering at the Café. Carlo also coordinates volunteers and helps in the collection and delivery of bread for the Café.

We congratulate and thank Wally, Marie and Carlo for all their help. They join a long list of dedicated people who continually give their time to our chapter of St. Vincent de Paul.

MERCY CENTER
2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 340-7474

Dreams Where We all Meet:
Waking Up to our Global Connectedness
November 20th 1-4 p.m.
Jeremy Taylor, D. Min.

Don Bisson Workshops in January
One of Mercy Center’s perennial favorites,
Don Bisson, will be presenting
three workshops in January:

SAN DAMIANO RETREAT

Silent Advent Retreat
Contemplation
Dec. 9-11
Rena Grant, MFT and Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM

Bishops Endorsement

As a Parish Community

We continue to ask each week that parishioners 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.

This week we ask you to pray for

Sandy Nelson

Pat Vallez-Kelly has been graciously providing music and direction for the 5 pm choir these past months in addition to his many duties for the archdiocesan Office of Worship.

The Blessing of November

The changing of the seasons is evident all around us. Pumpkins and underground vegetables appear more frequently in the grocery stores; the warm breezes of late summer are finally becoming cooler. The sun has set by the time most of us are having dinner. The leaves give off bright reds and yellows as they fall to the ground and die. The cycle of life and death in nature is paralleled by our liturgical life. We have celebrated All Saints and All Souls, our feast as the People of God, some of us here on our earthly journey and others, already in their heavenly glory. When we gather now for the Eucharist, we are surrounded by the names of those “who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith” as the first Eucharistic Prayer says. We welcome them into our assembly as members of the Communion of Saints and we remember that the veil which separates us is thin indeed.

The environment in the sanctuary is symbolic of the harvest, the fullness of life which our beloved dead now enjoy in God’s kingdom. In the second reading for the Feast of Christ the King, Paul declares, “Just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming, those who belong to Christ.” (I Cor. 15.20) Where they have gone, we trust that we will follow.

Our society doesn’t deal well with death, but the reality of it cannot be denied. Perhaps, this month is an invitation to look at our lives from that perspective. What do I want people to say about me when I’m gone? How do I want to be remembered? From another perspective, are there things in our family history that I want to pass on to the next generation(s)? Is there someone who knows all the fascinating stories of our family, in addition to the most basic facts about where everyone was born? I so wish I had asked my Mom more about our family history before her Alzheimer’s got worse.

Spiritual Reading will be available at St. Robert’s after the Masses on Sundays. Please, take a few minutes either before or after Mass and check out a book or two that interest you. You may keep the books until you have them read. We have some books on the Library cart but we have many more in the Library/Reconciliation room.