St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
April 8, 2007
Easter Sunday

A few weeks ago an article appeared in the papers and on news broadcasts around the world that a coffin had been discovered in Jerusalem. It was inscribed with the name Jesus of Nazareth. The discoverer and reporters all sounded the cry that Christian faith is being proved wrong. Jesus never rose from the dead. Is that so?

Easter brings us to the core of our Christian faith. Christ has overcome death and everyone who believes in him will do so, too. The Gospel of Easter day finds the astonished disciples at the tomb. They did not yet understand. Following the terror and grief of seeing Jesus tried and crucified, the absence of Jesus body from the tomb and the discarded burial cloths were incomprehensible. Simon Peter and the other disciples would not accept the facts on Marys word alone. They had to see for themselves. As the hours and days unfolded after encountering the incomprehensibly empty tomb, the disciples began to understand and believe.

How does believing in the resurrection sustain us now? In the wake of 9/11, the ravages of war, natural disasters, corrupt politicians or the sudden death of a loved one- in the face of such life-shattering event, how do we make meaning from these things? In the face of such events, life as it has been known seems utterly destroyed. What, then, can keep us from remaining overwhelmed by tragedy, from cowering and being paralyzed by the magnitude of a particular experience? Faith in Christ, trust in his living presence and in his promises- this is what sustains us; this and the example of the disciples themselves.

Even as they gathered in fear, the disciples experience the living Christ as they ate and drank and told their stories. There was life after what seemed like utter destruction. Something wonder-full had come from something terrible. By their sincerely sharing their lived experience, the disciples gained courage and conviction, and eventually led others to faith in the resurrection. When faced with personal tragedy, hope can be fed by being the witness to, or seeking the witness of others, who have lived beyond similar grief, so that in time, we too can say, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.”

Father Bruce

Monday - April 9
Readings: Acts 2:14,22-33     Mt 28:8-15

Tuesday - April 10
Readings: Acts 2:36-41     Jn 20:11-18

Wednesday - April 11
Readings: Acts 3:1-10     Lk 24:13-35

Thursday - April 12
Readings: Acts 3:11-26     Lk 24:35-48

Friday - April 13
Readings: Acts 4:1-12     Jn 21:1-14

Saturday - April 14
Readings: Acts 4:13-21     Mk 16:9-15

Sunday - April 15
Readings: Acts 5:12-16
Rv 1:9-11a,12-13,17-19     Jn 20:19-31

As a Parish Community we pray …....for newly born in the waters of Baptism and those coming to full Communion. May they experience Christ’s love and support within our parish family.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Maria Teresa Melendez
Ian Angel Sanchez

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Father Paul Duggan
who died recently.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO
RECEIVED THEIR EASTER SACRAMENTS

On Holy Thursday, the following Religious Education students received their First Communion:

Yvonne Cabrera,
Patricia Nicole Cristales,
Cassidy Doulphus,
Alexander London,
Maria Melendez and
Ian Sanchez.

On Holy Saturday, during the Easter Vigil, the following adults were Baptized, Confirmed, and received First Communion:

Kristine Gonzales,
Angelene Hernandez,
Julia Lee and
Patrick Shannon.

Also Kristin Simpson and Carlos Buenrostro received their First Communion.

Congratulations to each of you and your
families, godparents, sponsors and teachers.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II declared that the Second Sunday of Easter (next Sunday) is to be called “Divine Mercy Sunday”. In the early 1930’s Jesus appeared to a Sister in Poland. She is now St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy. Jesus asked her to “Tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” He promised “complete forgiveness of sins punishment” to those who turn to Him in trust and worthily receive Him in Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday….”On that day, the very depth of My tender Mercy are open...Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Font of My Mercy”. Confession within a reasonable time before the Feast is sufficient. We must be in the state of grace to receive this extraordinary gift of mercy. Confession takes place at St. Robert’s each Saturday from 3:30 TILL 4:15 P.M. AND BY APPOINTMENT. Jesus has mercy and love for each of us. He will not let us go.

AIDS LUNCH

We are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you can prepare a favorite cookie, snack or lunch item for 10 to 12 people, please drop it off at the Children's Chapel, in the back of Church, by 9 a.m. on April 11th Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items are ok!

Thanks to all who contributed their time and energy.

CONSOLATION  MINISTRY
April 14th and 28th

Saint Robert’s Grief Support Group in the Convent Chapel from 3-4:15 p.m. (before the 4:30 p.m. Mass). Anyone who is suffering from the loss of a loved one: spouse, sibling, child, parent, friend or relative is invited to come and pray, share, comfort and be comforted. You are invited to bring a companion for support and strength. God bless and comfort you in your sorrow. Call Sister Patricia 589-0104 or any of the Consolation Ministry Committee.

TIPPS
Toddlers, Infants, Preschoolers & Parents Social

Potluck in the Hall on Friday, April 13^th.
6:30 pm till 8pm.

Please bring an item you can share with six people and a toy for your child to play with. High school babysitters will be there to help with childcare. Feel free to invite new TIPPSters. For more information, please contact Ana and Andrew Kimoto or visit our website at www.tipps.kimoto.us. Please plan to attend.

ST. ROBERT'S 22ND ANNUAL
GOLF TOURNAMENT AND DINNER DANCE

Saturday, April 28th, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame
Tee Time 7:30am
$185.00 per person: four man best ball format
tee prizes, 1/2 cart, goodie bag
Dinner for two doors open at 6:30 and dancing until midnight

If you have a foursome or you are just a single we are looking for you!!!!!!!

Make your check payable to St. Robert's Men's Club.
Send your reservations to Vico Piccinini c/o Stefano, 4th grade,
or call Vico Piccinini or Matt Gaines.

     
St. Robert’s School is collecting Box Tops for Education coupons and Labels for Education UPC codes. Send your collection to the school or rectory. Visit the websites below for product information. Any questions please call Christine Peterson.

www.boxtops4educaiton.com
www.labelsforeducation.com

Happy Resurrection!
Happy Easter, everyone! I came across a lovely reading which seems to tie together the awesome events of these past three days. It is from Rosemary Haughton, a Catholic laywoman and author. “The cry of Jesus on the cross at the very end was, therefore, the cry of awareness that all was indeed accomplished, brought to its consummation. He knew that he could, at last, give back to the One he loved the unshackled fullness of love, and in so doing carry with him on the surge of that passion the love which is the essential being of all creation. This is, in a sense, the moment of resurrection, or rather it is the moment at which that process begins, for the resurrection is not a single event but the ever-extending ‘outflow’ of the energy previously dammed up by the power of sin and death.” The Passionate God, p. 153

For St. Francis and those who followed him, Jesus’ death was summed up most powerfully as the expression of his love, the extension of his giving of himself –even to Judas - in the Eucharist the night before. It was the ultimate sacrifice, the same phrase we speak regarding the deaths of those killed in war or in some other unselfish act of heroism. “He chose to give of himself, became our bread. Broken, that we might live, love beyond love, pain for our pain,” we sang on Good Friday. So let us love the way he loved and set free again the power of his resurrection life in our world.

Peace, S. Sheral

Refugee Foster Care
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County desperately needs people for refugee foster care. These young people have been orphaned or separated from parents by war. By becoming a foster parent, you provide a refugee teen with the possibility of life with hope when there was none. Catholic Charities will assist you in every way possible and will provide financial support and health insurance; educational support; health, mental health and legal services; independent living skills training; and cultural and recreational activities. If you think you might be interested, please call Coleen at 408-325-5159 or colleen@ccsj.org or find more information online at www.ccsj.org.

Catholic Lobby Day
The 8^th annual Catholic Lobby Day takes place in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 24. Some of us will be going to Sacramento to express our values in relation to pending legislation. $20 covers the cost of the bus, materials and lunch. If you’re interested, please talk with S. Sheral, contact Sarah Nolan at sarah@sfop.org or register at 415-614-5567.Reservations are due this Tuesday.

Class on the Eucharist
Beginning Tuesday, Apr. 17 at 9:10 am, S. Sheral will offer a class on the Eucharist in Mary’s Chapel. Everyone is welcome.

If you're new to St. Robert's, we ask that you complete a registration form found in the vestibule of the church. Drop it either in the collection basket, the mail, or at the parish office. We will send you a New Parishioner Packet with information about the parish, its organizations and groups. If you chose, you can register online at: www.saintroberts.org.

SUNDAY COLLECTION

    
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.

There is no cost to you for this service.

ANNUAL APPEAL

2007 CENTERPLATE SIGN UP

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Mass

Sunday, 7:30 a.m. Mass

Sunday, 5:00 p.m. Mass