A million thanks to all who gave of their hearts and time to make the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Robert’s School such a great success. From the first notes of the choir at the 4:30 Eucharist to the last light being turned off Saturday night, the celebration was an affirmation of the love felt by so many pople for our very special school and parish. We are truly blesssed with a caring group of alumni, school and parish families.

The Campaign for Catholic Education will begin next month. As you know, our parish will be seeking $207,000 of the thirty million dollars needed for financial help. When Catholic parish schools began in the 1850’s, it was as a response to the Protestant domination of the public school system. Many bishops felt that the Protestant hymns, prayers and bible interpretation used in public schools made it necessary for each parish to establish a school. As the bishops wrote in 1852, each parish should have a Catholic school in that they were "indispensable for the security of faith and morals among Catholic children." The bishops felt so strongly that some of them even recommended that parents who did not send their children to Catholic Schools be "denied the sacraments." Thank God that those days are now gone. However, we still face the reality that our children need an education in Catholic teachings either in our own schools or in Religious Education classes.

I ask you to begin to pray over what financial commitment you will make to the Campaign.

This Sunday all parishes throughout the United States are celebrating Catechetical Sunday. On this occasion, the Church recognizes in a special way all those involved in parish catechetical ministry. At 9 AM Mass and at the 5:30 PM Mass, we will have a special blessing for all Catechists involved in our Religious Education program. As we begin another year in Religious Education, I ask you to pray God’s blessing on our ministry. All of us - priests, parents, teachers, youth ministers share the mission of Jesus. We are called to show our young people who God is and how much He loves them. We do this by example, by being with them, by listening, praying, laughing, forgiving and by being patient. Jesus is our model. His was a challenging ministry. At times He had to be exasperated with the Apostles, with their many questions, their doubts, and their apparent lack of faith. But Jesus never gave up. Let us too be steadfast and persevering in providing a climate of hope and trust that will help nurture and strengthen the faith of our young people.

**We welcome into the family of God: Witley Mitchell, Casey Pino, Kyle Brown, Aubrie Businger, Gianna Galletta & Francesca Quilici, who were baptized in Christ.

*We pray for the ill: Tony Coogan, Koret Koelman, Terry McLeod, Adela Florez, Ana Cosgaya, Peter Capodonicco, Rosemary McHale, Arthur Candia, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Muriel Krause, Sister Cabrini, Don Vickery, Jeanne McHugh, Catherine Cook, Ann Burns, Imelda Daly, Gene Martin, Margarita Velez, Marky, Marlyn Arancibia, Marcia Bourne, Sandra Dill, & Randall Guerro.

*For the repose of the souls of Christyl Anne Johnson, Abraham Vella, Edmund Stewart and Phyllis McGovern

Please Pray for......

We welcome you into St. Robert’s Family

...... RAFFLE NEWS!!...Congratulations to last week’s "Early Bird" raffle drawing winner, Terri Murray, who takes home $200. There’s only one week to go before we draw for the really BIG money! So stop "clowning around!" Get your tickets today! Call Bob Baker for your very own booklet of "Greatest Show on Earth" raffle tickets!

......CAKE BOOTH...No pies in the face....we need cakes in the Booth!!!  The ever popular cake booth needs your help once again. In our efforts to raise funds for our Church and school, we are graciously requesting baked good contributions. Donations can include a variety of items such as cakes, cookies, brownies, or muffins. Use your imagination. Any contributions you can make will be greatly appreciated. For more information please call Sue Belluomini or Clare Bouey-Suen.

Parishioners turned in fifty-nine bullletins from Parishes they celebrated Mass at during the summer months. Thirty were from the State of California (several from Reno and Las Vegas!), twenty-one from other states and eight from foreign countries. There was a tie for the bulletin from the Parish most distant from St. Robert’s - from Sydney, Australia and from Zakopane, Poland.

Congratulations to
Mrs. Vacarri and to Lorraine Rogers.
I hope you like SEE’s candy.

WOMEN’S GUILD MEETING...Welcome back Fiesta Dinner Meeting Sept. 20th in Hennessy Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. dinner. $10 includes dinner and drinks. RESERVATIONS A MUST. $11 at the door. Call Angie Mullady for reservations.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH
6:30-10PM, Women’s Guild.....Hall

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST
6:30-8PM, Legion of Mary.....Library
6:45-8PM, Religious Ed....Hall
7-9PM, Youth....Hall/Kitchen

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND
7-9PM, Youth.....Hall

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD
7-9PM, RCIA....Chapel
7:30-9PM, School Board.....Hall