Once more we sat together, sipping our afternoon tea, thinking about Mary, the Mother of God. Since she is our Mother as well, we decided to write this love letter to her:

“Dearest Blessed Mother…

Two thousand years ago, Our Father said to you: “Mary, I need you.”

Your answer was, “May it be done to me according to your word”… and a new age of salvation and love came into the world. God’s Light came to live within you. At His birth, Jesus looked up at you. His cry let you know: “Mama, I need you.”

You loved Him, nourished Him and held Him close to your heart. Throughout Jesus’ life you encouraged, guided and protected Him. As He carried His heavy cross up the hill to Calvary, Jesus looked into your eyes and His soul cried out: “Mama, I need you!”

You walked behind Jesus and stood beneath His cross till the very end. Overcome by grief, your heart cried out: “I am here, Jesus, I love you”.

On that Resurrection morn, Jesus came to you. He smiled and said: ‘Mama, I’m here. I love you.’ At the moment of your death, Jesus once again came to you and said: ‘Mama, I’m here. I love you.’ He carried you home to be with Him forever.

You were always there for Jesus. You are always here for us. Lead us to Jesus. Show us how to live in peace with one another as we, your children, cry out to you, ‘Blessed Mother, we need you.’

May 2006 be a year of blessing for each of you…

With Adopt-A-Family
We supplied gifts to 34 families from our own St. Vincent de Paul this year. Also 20 families through the Catholic Worker House in Redwood City, and this year we added 9 families through the Child and Family Services, Human Services Agency of San Mateo County,

For our 20 Adopted Families in Mississippi we had $507 left over from our earlier collections, additionally the School raised $275. Combining these monies with what was donated for “adopted” families, we sent $3,360 down to Long Beach, Mississippi for Christmas from St. Roberts.

We took 3 trucks full of toys and clothes to St. Anthony’s of Padua in Redwood City, where over 1,000 children line up each Christmas Eve morning to walk through a trailer and pick out a present.

With Children’s Liturgy Giving Tree
We collected hundreds of gifts (toys and clothing) and $800 in gift certificates. Imagine the smiles on the Children's faces that your generosity made happen.

With St. Vincent de Paul
We were able to help 44 families (77 adults and 91 children) through your generosity and the generous help from the In-Betweeners group.

With Gifts for the Homebound
Through your generosity we were able to help 200 of our sisters and brothers who are confined to their homes or nursing facilities. The smiles on their faces and the joy shining in their eyes warmed our hearts.

With Christmas Masses
Whether you helped decorate the church, were a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Server, Usher, Greeter or a Choir member, it was through your generosity of time that all parishioners were able to enjoy the beauty of our Christmas Masses.

AND
with our Christmas Collection which now totals $39,664.65.

Applications for Kindergarten for the 2006/2007 school year will be accepted at the school office starting January 30th through February 3rd, from 9 am until 3 pm. Child must be 5 years of age by September 1, 2006. Please bring copies of the child’s birth certificate, baptismal record, social security card and a check for $30.00 to cover the testing fees.