St. Robert's Catholic Church

1380 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno, CA 94066

Tel: (650) 589-2800

PARISH BULLETIN
May 27, 2007
Pentecost Sunday

Dear Parishioners,
This weekend we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the conclusion of the Easter season. Last Sunday we sang, “Send Out Your Spirit.” The last verse is “He comes with bright wings awashing the world; all is made new in water and fire. Morning arises anew in the sky: God recreates in a new day.” No doubt the author was remembering Gerard Manley Hopkins’ line in “God’s Grandeur”: “The Holy Ghost over the bent world broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.” We may need to struggle to see the effects of the Spirit’s presence in our world, but it is there in Northern Ireland’s signing of the peace treaty; in the slow, consistent work of Oxfam and Catholic Relief Services in Lebanon and Darfur in the midst of war and terrorism.

The Eucharistic Prayer of Reconciliation says it well: “Your Spirit changes our hearts: enemies begin to speak to one another, those who were estranged join hands in friendship, and nations seek the way of peace together.” If we experience tension within our families or workplaces, and an apology from us is overdue, can we respond to the Spirit’s promptings and say we’re sorry? If we’ve done everything we can to mend the torn relationship, can we at least pray daily for a change of heart – ours and that of the one from whom we are estranged? Sometimes, only God can heal the wound which a misunderstanding or a deliberate action has caused. Are we open to the possibility of reconciliation?

Mary Nunnery, Madeline Johnston and I went to a discussion at St. Ignatius High School earlier this month to hear Professor Sami Adwan from Bethlehem University in person and Professor Dan Bar-On from Ben Gurion University via video. Dr. Adwan is a Palestinian teacher and Dr. Bar-On is an Israeli psychologist; both are 2007 Fulbright Scholars-in- Residence and have formed a group called Peace Research Institute in the Middle East (PRIME), www.vispo.com/PRIME. They have worked for six years with teachers from both communities on a history-teaching textbook which presents important events from both perspectives to students 15 to 17 years old. They are committed to the hope that their grandchildren will see peace in the Middle East. Rather than joining those who say, “Peace will never come,” can we pray with them that the Spirit will change the hearts of those directly involved and of world leaders who wield great influence?

Peace to you and those you love,
S. Sheral

Monday - May 28
MEMORIAL DAY
RECTORY & SCHOOL CLOSED
NO 6:30 A.M. MASS
Readings: Sir 17:20-24     Mk 10:17-27

Tuesday - May 29
Readings: Sir 35:1-12     Mk 10:28-31

Wednesday - May 30
Readings: Sir 36:1,4-5a,10-17     Mk 10:32-45

Thursday - May 31
Readings: Zep 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16     Lk 1:39-56

Friday - June 1
Readings: Sir 44:1,9-13     Mk 11:11-26

Saturday - June 2
Readings: Sir 51:12cd-20     Mk 11:27-33

Sunday - June 3
Readings: Prv 8:22-31     Rom 5:1-5     Jn 16:12-15

As a Parish Community we pray …..for the men and women who have given their lives for our country. May Jesus take them into His Kingdom of peace.

WE CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY BAPTIZED

Stephanie Meschnark Ryan,
Sophia Marie Hughes
Jonathan Tyler Gates and
Rose Ava Shaughnessy

Our sincere sympathy to the families of
Hazel Chase and Elvira Stoldt
who died recently.

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.

This week we pray for
Karen Callicotte and Josie Mercado

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
June 2nd

Mother Theresa has said: “We need to find God, and God cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—tress and flowers and grass-grow in silence. See the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence. The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we give in our active lives.” We have an opportunity to sit before Jesus in His Blessed Sacrament on Saturday, June 2nd and on every First Saturday of each month, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass and continuing until Benediction at 10 a.m.

Jesus is waiting!

MEN'S CLUB FINAL MEETING
June 4th

LAST ONE of this school year will be held on Monday, June 4th, in Hennessy Hall, Doors open at 6:15 p.m. All men of the parish are welcome to join in good meal, cold drinks and great conversation.

Dr. Eileen Gorman is retiring after 35 years in the Archdiocese. She was the 8th grade teacher and Vice Principal here at St. Robert’s School for 12 years. She has been principal at All Souls School in South San Francisco for 23 years. You are invited to a special celebration Mass at All Souls Church on June 2nd at 12 p.m. A reception will follow in the Church Hall.

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE

Some members of our Social Concerns group recently did some research to find free or inexpensive summer opportunities for young people and were disappointed that they found very few. San Bruno Park & Rec does offer limited Youth Enhancement Scholarships (YES) for any resident under 17 who meets the state and federal income limits for assistance. One scholarship per child will be considered with no more than $200 granted per family. If you’re interested, please drop by the Recreation Services Department or call 616-7180. The YMCA in San Mateo at www.ymcasf.org/peninsula also has some financial assistance available for their week-long summer camps.

The Feast of Pentecost
In the reading from Acts, we hear of the disciples gathered in one place when a noise “like a strong, driving wind” came and “filled the entire house.” Then “tongues as of fire” appeared, parted and rested on each of them. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” We can imagine their excitement pushing them out into the crowd of foreign visitors to speak of the mighty acts of God. Amazingly, everyone hears them in his/her own language. The confusion of the Tower of Babel has been reversed and a people once divided and scattered are brought into one again. The second reading proclaims that we are now one Body since we were baptized in the one Spirit and can cry out, “Abba, Father!” And if we are one body, we are responsible for one another.

This Memorial Day weekend, we want to remember all who have died in so many wars. We remember and honor our many parishioners who are veterans. We pray for those who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, many of whom are on the streets and fighting their demons alone. We remember those who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq and their families and those who are returning with Traumatic Brain Injuries and other debilitating wounds. Though medical advances have enabled wonderful new treatments, some spouses and family members are unable to cope with a loved one so changed by what he or she has experienced. These are our brothers and sisters and we want to surround them with our care and concern.

As the conversation about immigration reform intensifies, you might wish to go to www.justiceforimmigrants.org whose member organizations include Catholic Charities, several departments of the U.S. Bishops Conference as well as the national leadership organizations of religious men and women. The joint pastoral letter from the Catholic bishops of Mexico and the United States reminds us that “Since its founding, the United States has received immigrants from around the world who have found opportunity and safe haven in a new land. The labor, values and beliefs of immigrants from throughout the world have transformed the United States from a loose group of colonies into one of the leading democracies in the world today, still grounded in the firm belief that newcomers offer new energy hope and cultural diversity.” May the Spirit guide our lawmakers in thismatter. Peace, S. Sheral

ST. ROBERT'S ANNUAL PARISH FESTIVAL
September 21st, 22nd and 23rd

BBQ AND FOOD BOOTH needs your help. We need 8 to 10 workers in the booths at all times. If you can help to BBQ or serve. We also need strong young people to be our runners for the entire 3 days. Anyone who signs up to be a runner can earn their community service hours. We also need at least 4 people to help prepare the condiments Friday afternoon before the festival begins to slice tomato's, onions, chopping lettuce, boiling hot dogs etc. Please call the Downs family to secure the time slot that you desire.

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.

     
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

SUNDAY COLLECTION

Thank you for your generous donation of $1,961.82
to the Catholic Communications Campaign

    
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