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I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of Egypt.
Illegal to be a Christian?
by Ellen Turner
If you were
accused of being a Christian,
would there be enough evidence to convict you?
That was the 1970's version of today's "What Would Jesus Do?"
There is a bill before Congress right now that would make it illegal to practice our Christian duty to help our neighbors. Remember how Jesus told us that we would be judged on how well we fed the hungry, gave clean water to the thirsty, and welcomed the stranger amongst us in Matthew 25? Well, this bill would make it illegal to do any of that without first verifying that the person is in the country legally.
We
need real immigration law reform, but this plan is not the right one for our
country. Last Sunday, almost a thousand members of our parish filled out
postcards asking Senator Diane Feinstein, who serves on the powerful Senate
Judiciary Committee, to reject the bill, currently called HR 4437.
Other churches in our deanery also gathered postcards the same weekend. Together we might be able to make our voices heard. (See book review of Horton Hears a Who, by Dr. Seus.) We also need to get our neighbors and friends to express our concern. Click here to download a pdf that can print out four postcards. Send them to friends in other parts of the country so Congress can hear that we are not willing to stop following Jesus, feeding the hungry, providing clean water for the thirsty, and welcoming the stranger amongst us. That is what we are called to do, and that is how we will be judged.
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A Message from Bishop McGrath:
Statement on Immigration Reform
You are well aware that immigration reform is a complex issue and there is currently a strong public debate. Over the course of the next few weeks, federal lawmakers will decide on some critical legislation on this topic. The Church frames this discussion in terms of Gospel values and the teachings of the Lord, by which we are compelled to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to those who thirst, and welcome the stranger. We remember, also, his response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" - any person in need. It is from this perspective that the Catholic Church supports a comprehensive immigration reform that includes:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed an educational packet from the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform: Justice for Immigrants that every parish liaison will receive within the week. I encourage you to use this packet to study the issues and explore the Catholic perspective, to engage in the public debate, and to pray that the rights of the immigrants and their families, like all other rights, continue to be based on the dignity of the person. |
From the Office of the Bishop of San Jose -
Dispensation from Abstinence:
This year, St. Patrick's Day,
March 17,
falls on a Friday during the Lenten Season. After considering various
requests, Bishop Patrick J. McGrath has decided to grant a dispensation from
the obligation of abstinence on that day. This dispensation is granted to
the Catholic Faithful who may wish to celebrate the feast of St. Patrick
more festively. March 17 is also the eve of the 25th Anniversary celebration
of the establishment of the Diocese of San Jose. The Jubilee Mass will be
celebrated the following day, March 18, at 10:00 AM at the Cathedral
Basilica of St. Joseph.
St. Joseph's Table
by Ellen Turner
The Italians have
a wonderful tradition to celebrate St. Joseph (San Jose).
On the feast of St. Joseph,
March 19,
everyone brings a meal to the church and all the 
neighbors
are invited in to eat at no cost. The rich and the poor come together to
dine at St. Joseph's table. Imagine how accepting Joseph was to take on the
rearing and education of Mary's dear son. That is how accepting we need to
be to each person who comes our way.
Maybe we can adopt this celebration here after we get our new building finished and have a place to hold such an event. Since we don't yet have our multipurpose building, perhaps your family could celebrate St. Joseph's Day by inviting your neighbors over for a nice meal together.
St. Joseph's Day is also the day the swallows traditionally return to Mission San Juan Capistrano from their winter homes. The return of the swallows reminds us that Spring is not far away. Even though it is still Lent; Easter is not far off.
Ash Wednesday Lent
by Raúl Mendoza
The Mass readings on the Sundays before Ash Wednesday
are an introduction to Lent. The Gospels talk about Jesus and his miracles.
On the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark depicts a Jesus with authority;
Jesus heals a demoniac, "Jesus rebuked him and said, 'Quiet! Come out
of him' " (Mk 1, 25). Here in this Gospel we see how Jesus combines
teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing, especially teaching with
authority. 
Everybody
is amazed and made comments amongst themselves, "He commands even the
unclean spirits and they obey him" (Mk 1, 27). Jesus clearly wants us
to hear him and obey him in order to be clean and pure.
On the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we see Jesus cure Simon's Mother-in-Law by just grasping her hand. Jesus performed other miracles, curing the possessed by demons and people with many diseases. Jesus wants us to come to Him, and He will cure all our diseases physically and spiritually.
On the sixth Sunday in Ordinary time the Gospel talks about Jesus curing a leper, " 'If you wish, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, 'I do will it. Be made clean' " (Mk 1, 40-41). Jesus is always ready to make us clean. What we need is the desire to look for him, and Jesus will answer us.
On the seventh Sunday in Ordinary time, we hear about the healing of a paralytic and we see a Jesus who saw the faith of the paralytic and the ones who were carrying him and Jesus said, "Child, your sins are forgiven" (Mk 2, 5). Jesus not only forgives his sins but says to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home" (Mk 2, 1). Jesus has the power to forgive our sins. Jesus has the power to heal any illness.
On the eighth Sunday in Ordinary time, two readings caught my attention. The first reading is from Hosea and the Gospel. The Gospel talks about the question of fasting. The time to fast was not during the time that Jesus was proclaiming the kingdom. The time to fast and make sacrifices is now that Jesus is not visible. The bride-groom is gone but all his power stayed with us. The reading from Hosea invites us to go to the desert, "I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart" (Hosea 2, 16). In the desert God manifested himself to his people. He gave them the Law; he gave them manna to eat. He gave them water. He protected them from the hot sun with a shadow from a cloud and by walking through the desert they arrived to the promise Land.
All these readings before Lent are a beautiful introduction to this time of fasting, prayer and alms giving. With Ash Wednesday we start this journey of forty days like God's people's journey through the desert for forty years. God invites us to the desert, not to the Arizona or Mohave deserts but to the desert of solitude where we will find Him in right and in justice, in love and in mercy.
Taking our ashes on Ash Wednesday does not mean anything if we do not accompany Jesus in this journey of forty days of fasting and sacrifice. It will not mean anything if we leave Jesus alone in the Holy Triduum and if we do not let Jesus change our lives. We must celebrate with Jesus his glorious Passover from death to life. We must celebrate our freedom from the chains of sin to a new and happy life with Jesus.
May the Peace of Christ be always with all of you.
From the Bookshelf: The Prayer God Longs For
by Judi Miel
How often have we said "The Lord's Prayer"? Hundreds even thousands of times? Many of us are so familiar with the words, that we recite it out of habit. How often have we thought about the lines that make up "The Lord's Prayer"? Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. It is the way to establish a two way dialogue with Him.
In his book, The Prayer God Longs For (InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 2005 ), James Emery White helps us understand prayer by helping us understand the "The Lord's Prayer." Publishers Weekly reviewed, "White guides you through the Lord's Prayer in search of what God longs for in his relationship with you. As profound as it is simple, this prayer of Jesus is what God longs for: a divine-human dialogue that transforms you on earth and prepares you for heaven."
White's
book is a great tool for us to use in order to understand prayer and its
role in our Christian life. I picked up White's book because I needed a
better understanding of how to communicate with God. I felt like my prayer
life wasn't what it should be. Instead of a two-way dialogue, I was doing
all the talking and not listening to Him.
What appealed to me about White's book was his casual tone. Reading this book was like having a friend talk to me, rather than hearing a sermon from a lofty pulpit. He uses scripture along with Christian and secular writings to give us background and context. He uses his personal experiences to show the reader mistakes he has made and how we can avoid the same pitfalls. His tone is humble and simple, making the book very easy to read and comprehend.
In last year's Lenten series, Father Kevin Joyce talked about how "The Lord's Prayer" has been used as a way for prayerful meditation. This little book is a wonderful tool for the purpose of meditation. Since it is a short book, it is tempting to go through it all in one sitting. However, I recommend reading the book one chapter at a time and take a moment to take in and understand what you have just read. Like a rich dessert, we must savor every little morsel of insight that this book imparts to its reader. That way we can fully appreciate the richness of the message.
About the Author: James Emery White is the founding and senior Pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church, and an adjunct Professor of Christian Theology, Culture and Apologetics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, both in Charlotte, North Carolina. He holds M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees in theology, history and biblical studies. He has done advanced graduate study at Vanderbilt University, and continuing studies at Oxford University. White is the author of eleven books, including Embracing the Mysterious God, A Long Night's Journey into Day, Life-Defining Moments, A Search for the Spiritual, Serious Times and The Prayer God Longs For.
Thursday, April 6, 7:00 PM - Lenten Reconciliation Service (Confessions)
Easter Triduum:
Holy Thursday
April 13
7:00 PM - Mass of the Lord's Supper
8:30 PM Transfer of Blessed Sacrament to Main Hall
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM Silent Prayer
11:00 PM
Night Prayer
Good Friday
April 14
12 Noon Stations of the Cross
1:00 PM and
5:30 PM - Good Friday Service (English)
7:30 PM - Servicio de Viernes Santo (español)
Holy Saturday
April 15
8:00 PM - Easter Vigil
(there will be no 5:15 PM or 7:00 PM Masses)
Easter Sunday
April 16
Regular Sunday Schedule
7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 7:00 PM (English)
12:00 PM (español)
PARISH AND DEANERY:
Lent is a Time of Reflection and Introspection. How about submitting your favorite scripture reading to the newsletter? Talk about what the significance of the reading is to you. This way, you will help others gain some insight on the written Word through your experience. To submit a story, send your email to newsletter@sjvnews.net.
The Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA) Campaign, "Proclaim God's Message," is the 2006 major fund raising drive for the Diocese of San Jose. Each parish is assigned a specific goal to meet. SJV parish has collected pledges for $137,677, which is over our goal. But, all extra pledges ($23,627 extra so far) will come back to our own parish after all pledges have been paid to the diocese. Please be generous. For more information about the ADA, click here.
Special Prayer and Reflection During Lent on Thursday nights. The Very Reverend David Bird, the Dean and Rector of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, will be leading us on a spiritual journey through the writings of St. Paul. This series will be held in Saint John Vianney church from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM on Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and finishing with our parish reconciliation service with confessions on Thursday, April 6, at 7 PM. Father Tim asks parish groups to either cancel, or limit to a minimum, all parish meetings so that all can be free to attend this Lenten series.
Organize SJV Fiesta 2006: Next Meeting is Wednesday, March 22, at 7:00 PM at the Drying Shed. The SJV Fiesta Committee is looking for volunteers to fill the following chair positions. If you are interested, or you know of someone who is interested, please contact David Couch at (408) 314-2393 or email dave@TheRedCarpetTeam.com.
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Strawberry Shortcake Co-Chair
Sweet Booth Co-Chair Bingo Co-Chair Raffle Ticket Coordinator Set Up/Tear Down Coordinator Monday Clean-up Chair |
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SJV Parishioner Pamela Bjorklund, Ph.D., presents a Holy Week Retreat Weekend: "Meeting Violence with Love, Jesus' Response to the Passion," April 7-9, Friday at 4:00 PM to Sunday at 1:00 PM, at Presentation Center. For more information, visit the web site: www.presentationcenter.org.
SJV
Spring Fling 2006:
The St. John Vianney Alumni Committee & The Drying Shed present "Springtime
in Paris" on Friday,
April 28,
at the Drying Shed Restaurant, San Jose. Tickets are $40 per person.
| 6 PM | - | 7 PM | No Host Cocktails | ||
| 7 PM | - | 8 PM | Buffet Dinner & Raffle | ||
| 8 PM | - | 12 AM | Dancing (featuring live band "The Hitmen") | ||
Coming Events:
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.
COMMUNITY AT LARGE:
A Series of Six Evenings of Discussions Based on the Justice Writings of Pope John Paul II: Ascension Parish, Saratoga, 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Registration begins at 7:15 PM.
| Monday, Feb. 27: | Rev. Paul Fitzgerald, SJ. "In The Words of John Paul II: Our Ecological Vocation: A Catholic Response to the Environmental Crisis." | ||
| Monday, Mar. 20: | Mr. Joseph Hastings, West Coast Director, Catholic Relief Services. "In The Words of John Paul II: Creating Networks of Peace." | ||
| Monday, Apr. 24: | Rev. Joseph Sands, SJ. "In The Words of John Paul II: Justice in the Americas: The Continuing Disparity of Wealth." | ||
| Monday, May 22: | Diane Clyne: Justice Coordinator for the Mercy Sisters, Burlingame California: "In The Words of John Paul II: Free Trade Agreements and the loss of lands and livelihood of Indigenous Peoples." | ||
| Monday, Jun. 12: | Sister Jean Schafer, Co-Director, Anti-Human Trafficking Project. "The Tragedy of Human Trafficking." | ||
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 2. Check it out at www.recongress.org.
Save the Date! Annual Community Nonviolence Conference Returns: Saturday, April 22, 9 AM to 5 PM, Evergreen Valley College, 3095 Yerba Buena Road, San Jose. You will not want to miss this powerful event, based on the teachings of nonviolence as exemplified by the lives of Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Cesar Chavez. We are honored to have Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, as our keynote speaker. The day will be filled with music, information, and inspiration. Lunch will once again be provided by the San Jose Sikh Gurdwara. For more information or to get involved go to www.CarryTheVision.net
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This Week:
3rd Sunday of Lent: March 19
1st Scrutiny - 9 AM Sunday Mass
Next Week:
4th Sunday of Lent: March 26
2nd Scrutiny - 5:15 PM Saturday Mass
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Praying the Scriptures:
Visit this web site for ideas on praying the Scriptures: www.liturgy.slu.edu
Take a Moment to Pray:
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Find out what's happening at St. John Vianney Parish by joining our SJV Parish Weekly Newsletter subscriber list:
Visit our parish web site at: www.sjvnews.net.