Fr. McInerney, Pastor of Sister Parish
SJV Spring Fling 2006
Parish Ministry Formation
SJV Faith In Action
Night of Spiritual Reflection
Applications for St. John Vianney School
Announcements
Weekly Readings

Fr. McInerney, Pastor of Sister Parish
by Jennifer Simpson

Some people never cease to amaze us. This was truly the case as I reflected upon meeting Father McInerney and listened attentively as his story unfolded.

Fr. McInerney is from our sister parish St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, located in the Diocese of Biloxi. He was born and raised in County Clare, Ireland, and attended seminary there as well. He has been in Mississippi for the last 28 years. He came to our parish last weekend, full of excitement and exuding his Irish spirit. Yet, he was very saddened by the loss and destruction he faced at home.

Dinner with Fr. McInerney

The coastline was wiped out, along with all the oil rigs, and floating casinos. All lost their homes on the beachfront, and churches were gone as well. Right now, many churches are using other buildings, such as ice skating arenas, as temporary locations until their churches can be rebuilt. Damage was mostly from the water surge and not necessarily the wind. The first floor of the rectory at St. Alphonsus was completely under water. Kids from the parish school ran over and people went up to the second floor try to save whatever they could. Father remembers watching the water rise, and seeing a school bus float away. He was worried that many of the church records would be lost. He feels the rectory sustained less damage because it was made of brick and had a basement. The CCD Department was hit the hardest, and does not exist anymore.

Father's secretary lost her home across the street from the rectory, and now lives in a very small FEMA trailor on the property. Quonset huts were brought in from Alaska to use as temporary shelters. Some people live in motels which the Federal government is funding. An extension of these funds has been granted, but nobody knows for how long the extensions will last. Others went to various states, especially Atlanta, Georgia. Some are now living with relatives.

Fr. McInerney with Alter Servers

The main hurdle now is the rebuilding. The Army Corps of Engineers has started to tear down buildings but they need to deal with problems related to asbestos, and it is a slow process. It is a double hardship for people who lost their homes and still need to make mortgage payments. Many lost the jobs also. Many people are having problems with insurance. They had Homeowners Insurance but not flood insurance. There is controversy over what damage was caused by wind and not water. Father stated there is a $35 million dollar insurance policy for the Diocese of Biloxi, but the damages were worth $100 million dollars.

Father McInerney told us not to call it Hurricane Katrina, but call it a catastrophe. People were caught off-guard, and nobody felt the hurricane would actually land in Mississippi. They had similar warnings before, but the hurricane usually turned away.

Father expressed his humble and sincere gratitude to everyone who helped out during this difficult time. He stated it was mostly private businesses/corporation and individual people who helped supply water, food, and clothes when it was needed the most. He was especially grateful to us at St. John Vianney for adopting St. Alphonsus as our sister parish, and looks forward to our continued relationship.

His enthusiasm and hope for the future in the face of such a disaster is truly an inspiration to all. Father McInerney is already putting our donations to good use by giving it to the parish school to help pay for the children's tuition. He gives an open invitation to all to come and enjoy some Southern Hospitality!

Father McInerney also told us that, as he was leaving Mississippi to come to SJV, he was notified of a tragic traffic accident involving eight young adults. Six people died, and two are in critical condition. Two of the deceased were sisters and parishioners of St. Alphonsus. He requested that we remember them in our thoughts and prayers.

Fr. McInerney with Revelation Choir

This was Fr. McInerney's first trip to California and he enjoyed such sights as Mt. Hamilton Road and Lick Observatory, St. Joseph Basilica Cathedral, Santa Clara Mission and University, as well as a quick trip to Santa Cruz. He spoke at all the weekend liturgies and he met with parishioners after each Mass.

After the 7 PM Sunday liturgy, he was treated to a special serenade by the Revelation Choir. He immediately invited them all to come visit his parish and sing there.

SJV Spring Fling 2006

SJV Spring Fling 2006, "Springtime in Paris":

Friday, April 28. The Drying Shed Restaurant, San Jose. Tickets: $40 each - includes the following:

- The Drying Shed's Dinner Buffet & Dessert
- Live Entertainment for Dancing
- 50/50 Raffle
- Memory Photo

Contact: Kristin Heinemann at (408) 258-7677 or kheinemann@sjvsj.org. All proceeds to benefit the SJV-Sister Joan Marie Scholarship Fund.

Parish Ministry Formation

The Multi-Service Parish Cooperative, a group of local Catholic parishes to which SJV belongs, is offering a workshop for adults. This is part of our dedication to providing for increased Lay Leadership with our diocese. The program is aimed at anyone currently serving or interested in serving in parish ministries and is also open to Catholic adults just wanting to learn more about their Faith. We all need a tune up once in a while and this is just the opportunity for that. The course includes:

The Call to Ministry The Experience of God Introduction to Sacred Scripture Who is Jesus? The Church Liturgy and Sacraments Social Justice and Morality Prayer and Spirituality

Each session incorporates lecture, small and large group discussion, personal reflection and prayer. The presenters are members of local parish staff and guest presenters. Plan to attend the complete set of classes. Classes are to be held:

Friday, February 17, 7:15 PM to 9:30 PM, at the Vietnamese Catholic Center, 2849 South White Road.

Saturday, February 18, 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Vietnamese Catholic Center, 2849 South White Road.

Friday, March 17, 7:15 PM to 9:30 PM, at the Most Holy Trinity Church, 2040 Nassau Drive.

Saturday, March 18, 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM at the Most Holy Trinity Church, 2040 Nassau Drive.

To register, send the following information, with a check for $25, to St. Maria Goretti Church, Attn: Maureen Ickes, 2980 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95111:

Name, Address, City, Zip, Parish, Language, Phone number, Email address.

For more information, pick up a green flyer in the vestibule, or contact Maureen Ickes at (408) 363-2300 ext. 23

SJV Faith In Action

SJV Faith In Action met on Saturday, January 14, in the Garage Room of the Parish Office Center. It was a friendly, noisy meeting as plans were made for upcoming actions in the parish.

It was agreed to focus on three actions for the time being:

1. Preparing and serving breakfast at the San Jose Family Shelter on the third Sunday of odd numbered months: January 15, March 19, May 21, July 16, September 17, and November 19. Parishioners or friends wishing to help out can contact Pat Garcia at 926-3826 or runin8@yahoo.com. If you want to help, plan to arrive about 6:30 AM and finish up in time to attend the 9:00 AM liturgy at SJV. Donations of cash are also appreciated. It costs about $60 for the food each time, and this money is usually donated by the folks who do the cooking and serving. If we can get some steady volunteers to take over the Sunday breakfast on a regular basis, we would like to start the next stage of support, which is adopting a family as they move out of the shelter, into standard housing. There they will need furniture, kitchen supplies, linens, etc. Are you called to take over the breakfast or interested in organizing for the next stage? If so, contact Pat Garcia and let her know.

2. Educating the parish on Fair Trade by offering Fair Trade coffee, cocoa, and chocolate on the first weekend of even numbered months. For April, we will do Fair Trade Sunday on Easter, so we can reach more people. Fair Trade Sundays for 2006 are: February 4 & 5, April 15 & 16, June 3 & 4, August 5 & 6, October 7 & 8, December 2 & 3. Parishioners or friends wishing to help out can contact Ann McEntee at 923-5788 to arrange to work at one or more of the weekend liturgies. This work involves preparing and serving coffee and cocoa, as well as handing out literature about Fair Trade, and of course, cleaning up afterwards. We would like to have enough volunteers to cover all the liturgies so no one has to spend their entire weekend there.

3. Putting an end to the Death Penalty is currently a priority for the Diocese of San Jose, so Faith In Action is preparing a parish prayer service and action on the issue of the Death Penalty. This will involve some education, an opportunity to sign a petition calling for a moratorium on the Death Penalty and perhaps a prayer service and public action such as a march. If you would like to work on this issue, contact Ellen Turner at 272-9234 or newsletter@sjvnews.net.

SJV Faith In Action is an organization for parishioners and friends wishing to answer the Christian call to social justice as presented in Catholic Social Teaching and Matthew 25. The next meeting will be on Saturday, February 11, 9:30 AM in the Parish Office Center.

Night of Spiritual Reflection

There will be a night of spiritual reflection, which could be useful to parishioners... "How Can I Maintain Personal Balance with Family, Work, and self?" by Dr. André Delbecq, professor at Santa Clara University. The event will be held Thursday, February 2, 7-9 PM, at St Joseph of Cupertino, in their New Hall. The address is 10110 North De Anza Blvd., Cupertino. This event is sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries, the Diocese of San Jose, and by St. Joseph of Cupertino Church. Click here to see the poster.

This information was brought to our attention by parishioner Mary Perez.

Applications for St. John Vianney School Grades K-8

Applications for the 2006-07 school year at St. John Vianney School are available  now at the school office and on the school website: www.sjvsj.org.

Completed application packets must be returned on February 15 or 16, between 5 PM and 7 PM in the school library. Application processing fee is $50.

St. John Vianney School, mindful of their mission to be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities. St. John Vianney School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, or disability in the administration of educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs. St. John Vianney School admits children whose educational needs can regularly be met through its instructional program.

Open House will be held on January 30 and 31 from 8:30 AM until noon.

During these times parents (no children) can observe classes in session and meet with school parents and the Co-Principals.

If you have any questions, or need additional information or tuition assistance, please contact the school at 258-7677, 8-4 PM, Monday through Friday.

Announcements

Hispanic Youth Group and Ministry: Young people of 14 years old and up are welcome. Our first meeting will be Friday, January 27, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at 'The Garage' in the parish office center. Our Youth Ministry will be oriented to helping our youth to grow in Catholic faith and to become part of the discipleship among our Community. 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.

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 March 4. 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.

The next two Town Hall Meetings will be on on Thursday, February 16, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and Saturday, May 6, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

The largest gathering of Catholics in the United States takes place each Spring at the Anaheim Convention Center, across the street from Disneyland. Called the Religious Education Congress The workshops offered at the Congress are amazing. This year the dates are March 31 through April 12. Check it out at www.recongress.org.

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:
     4:30-5:30 PM No Host Bar & Appetizers
     5:30-7:00 PM Crab Feed
     7:00-8:00 PM Live Auction
     8:00-1:00 AM Dancing
Tickets: $50 each. Contact: Leslie Puccio at (408) 258-4141.

Coming Events:
   o Spring Fling, April 28, at the Drying Shed
   o SJV Fiesta, May 19-21, at the SJV Courtyard
For more information, contact the SJV School Development Office at (408) 258-7677 or lelston@sjvsj.org.

Weekly Readings

This Week: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jan. 22   Jonah 3:1-5, 10   1 Corinthians 7:29-31   Mark 1:14-20 Next Week: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jan. 29   Deuteronomy 18:15-20   1 Corinthians 7:32-35   Mark 1:21-28
	Take a Moment to Pray:   Visit this web site for ideas   on the Ignatius way to pray:   www.sacredspace.ie
Praying the Scriptures:   Visit this web site for ideas   on praying the Scriptures:   www.liturgy.slu.edu

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