I hope that many of you will be able to join me at the celebration of the Eucharist on Thanksgiving Day. There will be one Mass at 9 a.m. It will be time for all of us to give thanks to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon all of us.

I give special thanks to the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society who give so much of their time to help the poor of our area not only at this time of the year but throughout the year. This help is made possible by your generosity. Your contributions made it possible for many families to have food on their table and decent clothing to wear. Our Parish stands out in its ability to see Christ in all people and especially in the poor. To me, it is the sign of the true vitality of our Parish.

On Sunday, November 28th, we will begin the Season of Advent. To be truly human, we must be people of hope. Advent is a season centered on Hope. We join the people of the Old Testament in looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. Like them, we look for lasting peace, tranquil lives, sufficiency of food, an end to suffering, pain and misery. However, unlike them, we know that the Messiah has come and has partially fulfilled our hopes and has promised us that God is not far off but is already in our midst. We join John the Baptist and Mary in looking to Christ who will lead us to our eternal home.

Try to attend Mass as often as possible during this Season of Hope.

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God.

"We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.

"Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us."

"It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."

The above words, taken from Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation for a National Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer in 1863, could still be addressed to us. It is fitting that we Catholics acknowledge Christ, our King, today, and that our country this week celebrates "Thanksgiving Day".

So, every time we say, "Happy Thanksgiving!" let us really desire to express our thanks to God, who has providentially given us all these good things.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY, FIRST OF ADVENT
Isaiah 63:16-19, 64:2-7; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37

IN THE HOUSE OF GOD

Last year, I joined a holy family for Thanksgiving dinner. The father is a lector, and before the meal he offered a blessing which included a reading from one of St. Paul’s letters that he had recently prepared and proclaimed at Mass. It reminded me that our celebration of the Eucharist truly is the source as well as the summit of our Christian lives. He had brought something of the Mass into his home. This year, consider bringing a song, a prayer, a reading, petitions, a sign of peace, or a blessing into your family gathering. Let the gathering around the Lord’s Table feed your celebration with family and friends at home. - Pat Kelly

**We welcome into the family of God: Mitchell DeMartini, Chad Topper, Dylan Monaghan, Jacqueline Nazzal, Jacob Newbeck, Michael & Alyssa Ponzini & Sean Ramos, 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, Margarita Velez, Marky, Marlyn Arancibia, Marcia Bourne, Sandra Dill, & Randall Guerro.

*For the repose of the soul of: George Lynch, Sr.

As a Parish Community, We Pray

As the holidays approach us remember to shop with Scrip! We have many great stores to choose from and gift certificates make nice gifts for the person who has everything. Pick up an order form today - in the vestibule or in the rectory or school office. Also available are escrip registration forms. This is a great fundraiser for our school For more information on scrip or escrip call Linda Cuddy 871-1509 or Lisa DeLuca 588-1804. Scrip....developing fund for developing minds

Cash for Class....St. Robert’s School is enrolled in the cash for Class program sponsored by the Tanforan Shopping center. Our school has a chance of winning $2000 when you shop at Tanforan all you need to do is

turn in your receipts dated after Aug. 15th, 1999 to the school or rectory office or drop them off at the information booth at Tanforan.

Book of Revelation - During Advent
Beginning Nov. 29th., Sr. Ita will present a mini series on the book of Revelation.

in the Convent Chapel. Please bring your bible.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA....Dec. 11th in Hennessy Hall. Reservations required for either of two seatings - 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The continental breakfast will include muffins, donuts, fruit, juice & hot drinks. $4 per person (18 months & younger, free). Photos with Santa available for $2 each. Children will be able to share a "personal visit" with Santa, create a Christmas craft, and make holiday purchases at the "kid priced" Santa Shop. Please respond early - this special event always sells out! Please call 589-2800 for further information.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND
7-10PM, Grown-Ups.....Library

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD
6:30-8P Legion of Mary ....Library
Women’s Guild Skate Night