Once again, we sat side-by-side (teacup in hand) studying the readings for today’s Mass-The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. It is also Memorial Day Weekend, when we honor those who have given their lives that we might remain free.

Gene thought back to when he was 20 years old, a Sergeant in the Army Air Corps. (Some things we never forget.) On Christmas Eve of 1944, Gene and his buddies climbed over the side of their landing craft and waded to the shore of Tinian, an island in the South Pacific. It was then that they experienced their first and last Japanese air raid. They tried to dig foxholes, but their shovels could not penetrate the coral. Several times each week, B29’s would take off from the newly constructed airfield to raid Japan. Hours would go by. Gene and his buddies watched and listened for the familiar drone of the returning bombers. They held their breath as they counted each plane that came into view. All too often, not every B29 made it back; a solemn sorrow surrounded those waiting on the ground. This was World War II

Since them, we have endured the Korean War, Vietnam, The Gulf War and now yet another war. Too many wars for a lifetime! Hardly a day goes by without

One of our soldiers being wounded or dying in Iraq or Afghanistan. Our hearts go out the parents wives, children, sisters, brothers, grandparents and friends of these courageous men and women. Our consolation is, at the moment of their death, they were not alone. Jesus was there with each one of them. He has taken them into His arms and ascends with them to their heavenly home, where they will live with Him in peace and joy for all eternity.

We pray for and thank these gallant young people of past generations and of today who sacrifice their lives for us.

“Holy Spirit, please give us the wisdom, mercy and love we need to work together to bring about a just and lasting peace. Let there be no more war!”

Monday - May 29
Readings:Acts 19:1-8 - Jn 16:29-33

Tuesday - May 30
Readings: Acts 20:17-27 - Jn 17:1-11a

Wednesday - May 31
Readings: Zep 3:14-18a - Lk 1:39-56

Thursday - June 1
Readings: Acts 22:30;23:6-11 - Jn 17:20-26

Friday - June 2
Readings: Acts 25:13b-21 - Jn 21:15-19

Saturday - June 3
Readings: Acts 28:16-20,30-31 - Jn 21:20-25

The Journey of Caregiving

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.

“Whoever lives the truth comes out to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God…”

Today's Gospel urges us to live a life centered on Christ. Let Worldwide Marriage Encounter help your marriage to be more Christ-centered. Call Paul

Can you spare some time?

We have been back in touch with our adopted parishes in Long Beach, Mississippi, and they still have a lot of work to do. They are in need of general laborers, as well as people with skills in the trades (electricians, plumbers, sheet rock hangers, etc.) We will set up a coordinated effort for anyone who can spare some time (maybe a week?) to go down and help out. I’ll be going down on Saturday, June 3rd thru Friday, June 9th, but they can use help through out the summer. If you think you can help, give me a call and we can put something together.

Separately, if you can’t give time, but can spare a donation we’ll put envelopes in the pews this weekend to take down to St. Thomas the Apostle and St. John’s to help families that are still getting by with friends or in trailers. Anything we can do for them is greatly appreciated.

Call Rob Aveson if you have any questions or can help.

The many high schools our parishioners attend have graduations spanning several weekends. In order to have as many present as possible, we’ve waited until they (and graduation gatherings) have passed. So, we will be honoring and blessing our graduating seniors during the 5 pm Mass on June 11.

FROM OUR BISHOPS

On behalf of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I write in support of legislation which would codify our nation’s constitutional and international obligations by prohibiting the torture, or cruel, in human or degrading treatment of persons in the custody or under the physical control of the United States.

A respect for the dignity of every person, ally or enemy, must serve as the foundation of the pursuit of justice and peace. There can be no compromise on the moral imperative to protect the basic human rights of any individual incarcerated for any reason.”

and
Congratulations
Sister Mary

on receiving an award as Religious Education Director. The award was presented by Sister Celeste Arbuckle at a celebration Thursday, May 18th at the Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco.

The Grownups of St. Robert’s Church is a parish senior social organization. We have a steering committee of 20 members who meet monthly from August through May, except for December. The steering committee plans and arranges events for the membership. These include: two general meetings with speakers, one of which is a soup supper; two Communion luncheons, and a Christmas party. We also arrange day and overnight trips. We volunteer to participate in parish activities, for example, we “man” the change booth at the parish festival and take our turn for the Lenten Soup Supper.

A periodic newsletter is provided to keep our members informed of our coming events. We make annual donations to Sister Ita’s charity program, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic Worker House. We also have Masses said for our deceased members.

Believe it or not, plans are under way for this years annual parish festival “PORTS OF CALL”, which will be on the weekend of September 22-24. As always the Barbecue and Food Booths are in need of your help. Several people are needed to work in these two very popular booths and everyone from the parish is welcome to help. Most shifts are for 2 hours, but you can work for as many hours as you would like and on all 3 days if you wish.

The menu will include those all time favorites –delicious barbecued tri tip steak sandwiches, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, polish sausages, pizza, nachos, soft drinks, candy and much more.

The Ascension
This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Ascension when we celebrate the Lord’s return to the Father before the sending of the Spirit. I must admit that, as a child, these feasts made me think of the old Westerns where one impressive figure told another one, “This town is too small for both of us!” It seemed to me as if Jesus and the Spirit couldn’t both be present at the same time, that the world was too small for both of them. Of course, the reality is that when the disciples had the visible, risen presence of Jesus with them, they probably would have relied on him rather than on the invisible Spirit who would be with them and with all his followers all the time and for all times. This is a great time to pray for the coming of the Spirit upon ourselves and upon the whole Church; obviously we and our leaders need the guidance of the Spirit especially in these troubled times of major national issues, political questions and global crises. The Lord promised that the Spirit would be with us and we need to simply open ourselves, still the many thoughts running through our minds, and listen, so that inspiration and courage may soak into our consciences and our lives. At Pentecost, the Spirit came in rushing wind and tongues as of fire. You might want to wear red in honor of that fire of love which God rained upon the early followers and ourselves! Come, Holy Spirit, come! Peace, S. Sheral

MERCY CENTER
2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010
Tel: 650.340.7474, Fax: 650.340.1299
mc@mercyburl.org

June
1-4-David Keller: Men’s Spirituality
12-18 Jesus: The Compassionate Face of God
16-18 Sr. Ishpriya: Finding a Spirituality in Chaotic Times
18-Sr. Ishpriya: Spirituality for a Borderless Planet
16-23 Weeklong Mediation Intensive

July
17-21 Summer Home Retrat

August
18-25 Weeklong Meditation Intensive

SAN DAMIANO RETREAT
P.O. Box 767, Danville, CA 94526
Tel: (925) 837-9141
www.sandamiano.org

Dress Code: Full length black slacks, (jeans or spandex are not permitted), white shirt with collar, closed toe comfortable shoes (preferably black or white).

We will car pool from the rectory. For those working in San Francisco, you can meet the group at the gate.