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Speak, for your servant is listening.
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We have a very busy weekend at St. John Vianney, this weekend, January 14 and 15. Please join one or more of the following events:
Saturday is also the day of the SJV Red Cross Blood Drive. There is a great need for blood in Santa Clara County as well as the rest of the country. Evidently, there is also a young boy of Hispanic heritage who needs a bone marrow transplant in order to survive, so our Hispanic parishioners are especially invited to participate. The blood drive takes place in the Parish Office Center from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Also, after all the weekend liturgies, visit with Fr. Henry McInerney, Pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Ocean Springs, near Biloxi, was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina and our parish will be working with St. Alphonsus Parish over the next few years to help them rebuild. Our pastor, Fr. Tim Kidney, has switched places with Fr. McInerney for the weekend. Please bring some cookies or finger food to share and come visit with Fr. McInerney. Saturday, the receptions will be in the Parish Office Center (directly across the street from the school entrance), and Sunday, the receptions will be in the Main Hall. Let's put on a great welcome for him! On Sunday, it is our turn to feed the homeless families at the San Jose Family Shelter. We bring our own food, cook it up, and serve the families who are currently at the shelter. We also sit and visit with them and share their stories. If you would like to help, join the crew at 6:30 AM on Sunday or call Pat Garcia at 926-3826. We are usually finished in time for 9:00 AM Mass.
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December Issue of the Discipleship Newsletter
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St. John Vianney Parish Launches Hispanic Youth Ministry This is an invitation to the Youth from our Parish to be part of the Hispanic Youth Group and Ministry. Young people of 14 years old and up are welcome.
We WELCOME everyone and we hope to see all our youth in our first meeting. For more information contact the Hispanic Youth Coordinator, Anabella Estrada, (408) 960-4157 or email mamochis@aol.com.
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Martin Luther King Celebration There will be several events on Monday to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.
The
Mover of Mountains Award and Scholarship Breakfast
to be Held on Monday,
January 16.
Formerly known as the Good Neighbor Award and Scholarship Breakfast, this
event will be held at the Wyndham Hotel, 1350 North 1st Street, San Jose,
at 7:00 AM. Cost is $30. The 21st Annual Freedom Train will be in service on January 16 to celebrate the Martin Luther King holiday. In honor of Rosa Parks, this year all celebrants on the train will be transported by bus from the San Francisco train station directly to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, where there will be "teach-ins" in several of the rooms in the auditorium. At the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium exciting presentations will be given on a variety of topics, ranging from the civil rights contributions of Dr. King and Rosa Parks, to other fields, such as economics and finances, health, and more. Catch the Freedom Train to San Francisco at the San Jose Diridon Station at 10:00 AM. To learn more, visit www.mlkscv.org.
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Auction/Raffle Donations Sought The Hurricane Katrina Committee of St. John Vianney Parish is looking for DONATIONS and we need your help. We are in need of items to be used as auction and raffle prizes in conjunction with our up-coming Mardi Gras/Katrina Dinner & Auction in March.
More detailed
information, including the availability of event tickets, will follow
shortly, but, for now the committee is looking for anything from gift
certificates If you'd like to make a donation of an auction or raffle item, please contact Jerry Walker at (408) 251-1466 or email JayDub@ix.netcom.com for more information.
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Bless the Children
I remember, as a child,
being surprised at the Bible story of Jacob and Esau. I was not surprised
that brothers would make crazy deals with each other, trading Esau's
birthright But the idea of blessing your child stuck with me. Often we think that a blessing requires a priest. I frequently see people asking a priest to bless them for a special occasion or to bless some object, rosary or car. This is all well and good, but do you realize that anyone can give a blessing? Consider blessing your child each night as you tuck her/him into bed. How about blessing each family member as they start a new task or position? Dad has a new job? Time for a family blessing. Mom got a promotion? Time for a family blessing. Child made the team? Time for a family blessing. Young person going off to college? Time for a family blessing. We naturally do blessings at weddings, but you and your family might enjoy and benefit from more frequent blessings. How does one do a blessing? There are no special rules, but it is nice to put your hand on the person's head or shoulder. Maybe you want to draw the sign of the cross on the forehead or hold the person's hands in yours. You'll know the proper thing to do because it will feel just right and special for you. You can just speak the blessing that comes to mind or you can use a formula, such as "May the Lord bless and keep you." I personally like to add "May you always know how precious you are to your God," because I think if a person knows that they will likely make right decisions. Whatever your wish is for the person you are blessing, add that. I like to look right into the person's eyes when I bless them, so they really understand I am blessing them specifically. Try it with the people you love. I think you will find it a wonderful tradition.
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Please mark your calendar now and plan to join Faith In Action for our next meeting on Saturday, January 14, 9:00 AM, at the Parish Office Center. Many hands make light work. The Diocesan Council of Filipino Catholics cordially invites you to the Santo Niño Fiesta on Saturday, January 21, at St. Joseph Cathedral in San Jose. Sinulog at 11:30 AM, Karakol at 11:45 AM, followed by a Mass at 12:00 Noon with Bishop McGrath presiding. A dinner dance will be held at 6:30 PM, in Pavalkis Hall, at St. John the Baptist Church, in Milpitas. Tickets - $25 per person. For more information call 281-7032. San Jose District 4 Conference: Over the last five years, the District 4 Conferences on Priorities have been a great way for Councilman Chuck Reed to gather feedback from the community to determine what is important to the community. This year's conferences will be held on Saturday, January 21, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Berryessa Community Center, 3050 Berryessa Road, and Saturday, January 28, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Alviso Youth Center, 5040 N. First St. in Alviso. You may attend either one. Come and add your input. If you would like periodic updates on what is happening in the District and notices of community meetings, please send an email message to District4@SanJoseCa.gov. To visit the District 4 web site, click here.
SJV Crab Feed '06:
Fabulous Food - Live Auction - Dancing.
January 28.
I.E.S Hall, 1401 Santa Clara Street, San Jose. Event Times:
Coming Events:
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Saturday,
9:30-10:30 AM, there will be a meeting of
SJV Faith In Action.
See the 
(for dinners at local restaurants, movie passes, services from your
businesses) to gift baskets (of wines & cheeses, beauty supplies, CDs
& DVDs, etc.). We'd
like NEW items (not used items, unless these items are
collectibles or antiques).
Death Penalty Prayer Service:
Join other Catholics from our diocese at St. Joseph's Church, 582 Hope
Street, Mountain View on Saturday,
January 14.
The event will take place in the church hall. The program is as follows:
