Mary is a major figure in the season of Advent. So each year I look forward to exploring, reviewing and refreshing my relationship with her.

Precious little is told of Mary in the Christian scriptures. Precious little can be known for certain about her, and yet that which has been included in scripture represents her as the proto- disciple par excellence. Mary was sensitive to the ways and will of God; she was receptive to God’s Word; she heard and listened and kept that Word, allowing it to inspire, direct and change her life. In her capacity as disciple, Mary teaches us how to welcome and how to witness to the good news of Jesus.

The new insight for me this Advent is that Mary teaches those who long for the coming again of Jesus how to be “virgins,” not so much in a biological sense, but spiritually virgin; to become that empty, open welcoming, holy place where God enters in and love is free to happen.

Mary found that place within her and so when the angel messenger came to her she was content with pondering the Word, holding it in her heart and submitting “Let it be done to me as you say.” Gabriel’s “nothing is impossible with God” sustained her then and for the rest of her life.

The last week of Advent Mary challenges us to ask ourselves when God makes a loving overture into my life, do I try to avoid the encounter? Do I demand full knowledge before I acquiesce, or do I tenaciously want to remain in control of my life, my plans, my future?

Oftentimes one of our fears is that a “Yes” will change us forever. Yet “nothing is impossible with God.” We, too, can offer space in ourselves for God to dwell and be born into the world. Search for that space this last week of Advent.

I carry you always in my heart and prayers.

During our spiritual life, often we fall. Falls—great and small—offer us an opportunity to grow, providing we are sincerely repentant. Jesus says to each of us:

“Come to Me all who are heavily burdened; I will refresh you.”

On Monday, December 19th, at 7:30 pm,

Our Parish Directory
is currently at the printers and is being prepared. We will continue to keep you updated with current information.

Parish Survey
results appear in the current issue of the Across the Parish and are posted on our website www.saintroberts.org

CENTERPLATE UPDATE

Bored on New Years Day?
No College Bowl Games to Watch

Just Pro Football on TV
Tired of All the Parties?

Just Want Out Of The House

CELEBRATE
The Beginning of The New Year
Join Your Fellow St. Robert’s Friends
To Celebrate the Final 49er Game of The Year

10 More Volunteers Needed
To Staff Our Centerplate Booths
Leave St. Robert’s at 8:45 a.m.

Christmas Poinsettias will decorate the Church during the Christmas Season. If you would like to make a donation of $10 toward their purchase in memory of a loved one, please fill out the form below and return by Wednesday, December 21st. Please make a check out to St. Robert's Poinsettia Fund.

The Circle is Complete!
Our weeks of waiting are almost over! The long-awaited Promised One is soon to be celebrated in our families, our churches and throughout the world. Dare we hope for the world he speaks of? Dare we believe that “a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful.” Isaiah’s community can’t think of enough marvelous titles to give him: “Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” Who would have dreamed of such an occurrence: the Son of God becomes flesh for us, a helpless child, born in a backwater town in an insignificant country. Surely we wouldn’t have planned it that way if we wanted the child to be recognized and famous for his preaching and miracle-working. But that wasn’t what our patient God had in mind. His Son would live unobtrusively and quietly for most of his life and, only when prompted by the Spirit, would he begin a public life. And what a life it would be! Replacing people’s stereotypes of God, God’s law, sinners and the righteous, who would be included in God’s kingdom and who wouldn’t with images of God as the woman searching for the missing coin from her wedding necklace and the shepherd risking the whole herd to track down the ever-wandering lamb. And this kingdom which he proclaims isn’t a somber-faced, boring place, but a wedding banquet with singing and dancing and more than enough wine for all! The last are first in the kingdom of Jesus’ Father and all are eager to serve one another, since all are brothers and sisters. He turned their world upside down. Are we willing to have him do the same for us?

Readers for Epiphany
The Epiphany, that feast we remember from our childhood as the coming of the three kings or the three wise men, signifies the recognition of the Messiah by people of all the known world. We celebrate that the Savior came for everyone, not just the Chosen People. As we did last year, we’d like to have parishioners in some form of their native dress proclaim the prayers of the faithful at all of the Masses on that feast, Jan. 7th and 8th. You would be given one prayer in advance so you could translate it (with help, if need be!) into your native language and say it during the Mass you’d usually be participating in that weekend. If you would like to be involved in this way, please call S. Sheral at 589-2800 by this Friday, the 23^rd. We realize that many people will be away for the Christmas holiday, so want to get this organized before most of you are gone. Thanks very much!

With over 50 of his best love songs
Starring St. Roberts own Jim Kason

Now playing until December 31st
at the Hill barn Theatre
1285 East Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City

Communal Celebration of the
Sacrament of Penance
Monday, December 19th, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Masses
Christmas Eve,
Saturday, December 24th
8:30 a.m., Daily Mass
4:30 p.m., Children's Mass
8:00 p.m., Evening Choir
Midnight Mass, Adult Choir

Christmas Day,
Sunday, December 25th
7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.
NO MASS at 5:00 p.m.

New Year's Day
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Sunday, January 1, 2006
7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.
NO MASS at 5:00 p.m.