How will our Parish Pastoral Council work?

Based on our understanding of the mission of church and the mission of the Parish Pastoral Council, we defined the following responsibilities of the Parish Pastoral council:

   Deepen one's intimacy with God
   Combat stress and increase energy
   Counteract unhealthy habits and addictions
   Promote more loving relationships

A separate mini-course: "The Jesus Prayer," an ancient meditation method of experiencing Jesus as the "Divine Physician," who offers healing of mind, body, and spirit, is available for parishioners wishing a more in-depth experience. The suggested donation for the mini-course is $85 per person or $40 for students.

The Jesus Prayer will be offered in English at the Parish Office:

   February 26, in small groups for an hour beginning at 4:30 PM
   February 27, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

The Jesus Prayer will be offered in Spanish at St. Francis Hall:

Ashes will be distributed at each liturgy.

Remember that we are taking up a special collection on Easter Sunday for tsunami relief. Instead of just "giving something up for Lent" why not see what changes you can make to your lifestyle that might be used to help tsunami victims.

Here we will introduce you to the slate of candidates selected by the Nominating Committee. Each candidate was asked to answer three simple questions, and to submit a photo, as many of us know each other more by sight than by name.

The three questions are:

1. How long have you been in St. John Vianney Parish?
2. How have you been involved in SJV parish in the past or present?
3. What do you see in our parish that you really like?

Steve Do

1. I am new to the parish of SJV. I started attending the 10:30 AM Mass beginning in October of 2004 because I knew that the young adult ministry was beginning to be established and I was interested in getting involved with the ministry.

2. Since last October, I've attended three young adult ministry meetings at SJV to participate in the discussion and planning of the ministry's vision and mission for the community. I've also signed up to be a lector for the 10:30 AM Mass.

3. I really appreciate the diversity of SJV, but most importantly, the sense of community. I also admire the community's positive response and openness to change, especially as the young adult ministry continues to grow and enhances its liturgy and worship experience.

Lela Chavez

1. I have been in the parish all my life, but have been an active member of St. John Vianney Parish for approximately 10 years.

2. I primarily work with the Altar Servers, and with our Hispanic Ministry Committee. I also served as a member of the Parish Liturgy Committee, during the time Fr. Larry was our Pastor.

3. I like the fact that our parish is diverse. I like the pastoral ministry, sense of spirituality, continuing effort to be inclusive of all cultures and groups as well as part of the over-all community.

John Leyba

1. I've been in the parish since 1980 and grew up here, attending Lyndale Elementary School, Joseph George Middle School, and Archibishop Mitty High School.

2. Since returning to San Jose following college in 2003, I've been active in parish activities including the PACT LOC and the recent committees on our organizational structure and the direction of the parish.

Ann McEntee

1. I have been in St. John Vianney Parish for about 26 years.

2. I was involved in the Liturgy Committee for about 16 years. I also did Children's Liturgy at the 9:00 AM Mass for about 8 years. I have coordinated the 7:00 PM Sunday Mass (with my husband before his death) for about ten years and still do this. I am an usher and Eucharistic Minister.

Renato Nanay

1. I have been at St. John Vianney for 10 years. Kids went through all CCD and Confirmation. Daughter, Grace, is in Revelation Choir.

2. My wife and I have been volunteers in CCD. I am a Eucharistic minister, and donated my time and skill regularly to the Church by installing electrical work, plumbing, general construction work. We are members of the Filipino group, Chairperson of the Saint Joseph Auroras Blessed Sacrament, and have been holding vigils on Friday nights. Our whole family is active in this group. My wife and daughter are also active in planning and organizing retreats for men, women and the youth.

3. I like Saint John Vianney Parish because the congregation has been a dynamic force in my life. I like the ethnic diversity and appreciate the way everyone helps each other. I feel that the community is strong with God and truly practices the apostolic mission.

Joseph Ponte

1. I have been in St. John Vianney Parish for 50 years I have two children that graduated from SJV School.

2. I am a Past President of Dads Club at School, past Chairperson of Fiesta, Member of St. Vincent de Paul Society through the school, Usher at 9:00 AM mass, and have been on several committees for improving and maintaining the School, most recent to get a new roof.

3. I like the comradery between the community and the school — I like the way everyone pulls together.

Santos Reyes

1. I have been a parishioner of St. John Vianney for 12 years. Tengo 12 años que pertenezco a San Juan Vianney.

2. I am a lector and represent the Christian Family Movement at our parish Hispanic Leadership Committee. Soy lector y represento al Movimiento Familiar Cristiano en el Comité de Líderes Hispanos de la Parroquia.

3. I am glad that the hispanic community is growing and participating more in the parish. Estoy contento de que la comunidad hispana está creciendo y participando más en la parroquia.

Olga Rodriguez

1. My family and I have been in the parish for eight years now. Previously being part of the Most Holy Trinity Parish where I grew up, my husband and I felt a need to find our own parish. St John Vianney has met all our needs while providing a means to get involved in our community.

2. Other than having our children join the Jr. High youth group and the High School Youth Group, we started out by participating in Renew. Through that, we made some friends who later got us involved in Family Faith Formation and Catechetical Ministry. We became lectors about 2 years ago. In addition, I have been involved in the Capital Campaign Committee for about 4 years. I am currently a member of the Communication Committee.

3. In our parish, I see a lot of sincere hearts. I see people who have the wisdom to value people, just as they are and yet are willing to make changes in themselves. St John Vianney has an abundance of talented people who contribute so much. I am constantly impressed and touched by the skills, talent, time and passion that people at St. John Vianney gladly contribute. This is the essence of what Christ asks of us. If all communities were like St. John Vianney, this world would be a better place.

Eugenia "Gina" Sebastian

1. I have been in the parish for 26 years.

2. I have been coordinator for the Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick (World Day of the Sick) for 10 years. I serve as Eucharistic Minister for the 7:00 PM Sunday Mass. Also, I am a member of the SJVC Filipino-American Community working on Simbang Gabi, the Dinner Dance, and the Annual Fiesta Filipino booth. In the past I served 2 terms on the Parish Finance Committee, and as a member of the SJVC Fil-Am fundraising group. The fundraising was accomplished by the on-stage performances of Filipino folk dances (1990-91) and by the appointment-only Christmas Caroling (1990). The funds ($18,000) were donated equally to the school and church. I also served as a volunteer teacher's aide.

The Filipino-American Community of St. John Vianney Parish celebrated the ninth and final day of the Novena of Santo Niño on January 14. The feast day of the Santo Niño, or Christ Child, is celebrated in January and is a unique facet of the Filipino-Catholic tradition. The Core Group of the Fil-Am Community coordinated the liturgy and reception that followed. Music was provided by the Children's Choir and Mrs. Anne Marie Tecson. The nine day novena was orchestrated by the Officers and Staff Members of the Diocesan.

Although the tradition of the Santo Niño is primarily a Filipino one, the origins of the Santo Niño can be traced back to when the Spaniards first arrived in the Philippines. The feast day of the Santo Niño commemorates the conversion of the chieftain, the queen and subjects of the island of Cebu in 1521. At this ceremony, an image of the Santo Niño was presented as a gift to the queen by the explorer Ferdinand Magellan. This image still exists today and is the oldest religious icon in the Philippines. Since then, the lore of the Santo Niño has continued to grow, in part due to the many miracles attributed to him. The religious icon of the Santo Niño de Cebu has survived numerous fires, natural catastrophes and war. It is also believed that the icon was instrumental in saving Cebu from being bombed by the Japanese in World War II. It is said that Cebu was obscured from Japanese bombers by a cloak of fog, thus, the sparing the island and its inhabitants. The Santo Niño icon has had close ties to the island of Cebu and is considered to be its patron saint.