It is sometimes hard reestablishing school routines after the carefree summer days. As I begin my third year as Principal at Saint Robert School, I am still amazed at the dedication and concern parents have for the well being of their children. It is evident at the start of each school year, when the whole parish unites for the Festival. Parishioners give countless hours in the planning and executing of the Parish Festival.

This year I am embarking on a new ministry as the Interim Director of Religious Education. Having taught Catechism to Junior High students for Sister Mary, I was familiar with the program and honored when Father Bruce approached me with the prospect of becoming Director. I look forward to working with the Religious Education staff, parents and students throughout the upcoming year.

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.

Classes for Gr. 1—5—Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm
Classes start on Tuesday, September 19, 2006

    
SIGN UP FOR E-CONTRIBUTIONS

Go to www.saintroberts.org and click on the e-contributions button. The first page explains the details. There is a button to take you to the e-paluch registration page. You can register online using either your checking account or credit card.

THE FESTIVAL IS COMING
September 22-24th
PORTS OF CALL

Opening festivities begin on
Friday, September 22nd from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, September 23rd from 12 noon to 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 24th from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Bring your friends and family to enjoy festive Entertainment all weekend long. Rides and games for the kids, and Ice Cream Social on Friday night, delicious food including a sit down Mexican dinner on Saturday, raffle and much more.

Tickets on sale after all masses on September 16 and 17th. $15 for adults, $13 for seniors $10 child’s plate (12 and under). Join us for a great Mexican dinner and the song stylings of our own Frank Sandner and guests. For tickets call Davie Pino.

HELP!!!

Barbecue and Food Booths are in need of your help. 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.

If you would like to work in either of these booths or can help in any way, please contact Louise and Ray Downs or Raquel and Jeff Downs

We usually hear the first reading for today’s liturgy during the Lenten season; it is one of the four Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah. Hopefully, Isaiah’s words comfort us in difficult times. He listens to God in the midst of his suffering and insists that God is his help then and there. What a great reminder to us! When we experience pain or sorrow, we’re not being punished for something we or someone else did wrong; God has not forgotten us, nor deserted us. Sometimes we may hear a friend or family member say: If God exists, why is there so much suffering? We Catholics can attribute it to the brokenness of the world (and ourselves) due to original sin. We can also admit that we are dealing with mystery here; what we know is that somehow our salvation involved Jesus going through horrible suffering and death, so that we would know he’s gone there before us. What we called actual grace really means that the Spirit of God strengthens us and guides us in the midst of our actual trials and sorrows. When our life is a mess, God is with us if only we can open our eyes to see and our ears to hear that comforting presence. Sometimes God is present through a friend, colleague or family member; sometimes, God is present in those quiet moments when we know we’ll come out on the other side of this agony. Perhaps, if all is going well for me right now, I could be attentive to the person in my little world who might need some support. Comforting the afflicted is still a work of mercy.

Members of the Social Concerns Committee will be introduced this weekend. If you’d like to have input into the direction we’ll be taking, please e-mail or call me or one of the members. We’ll be happy to hear from you.

September 21 has been designated the International Day of Peace. Let us take a moment during the day or at mealtime to say a prayer for the leaders of our world that they might open themselves to God’s gift of peace and that we might learn effective, non-violent ways of dealing with the global threats which confront us.

Creighton University is offering an online retreat for people who wish to grow in their personal spirituality. It is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and includes daily brief scripture readings and reflections. You may begin it any time. You can access it at www.creighton.edu/collaborativeministry/online. This site also has other helps to your spiritual growth.

ST. ROBERTS CENTERPLATE TEAM NEEDS YOUR HELP

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. Volunteers between 16-21 years of age must provide a copy of a picture id which includes his/her birth date.