In This Issue: Scrutinies Jim McEntee Art Project Bud Welch and the Death Penalty Saint John Vianney Parish Council Meeting Deanery Action Lent/Easter Schedule Announcements Weekly Readings

I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts.

Scrutinies
submitted by Joe Nolan

Excerpts from Lenten Customs, by Rev. Lawrence E. Mick
www.AmericanCatholic.org

Ideas Needed for Jim McEntee Art Project
by Ellen Turner

The James P. McEntee, Sr. Civic Center Plaza, in front of the County Business Office at 70 West Hedding, will be the site of an art project to honor former parishioner, Jim McEntee. Jim served as Director of Human Relations for over 27 years and had a huge impact on the way folks in this valley get along. Since Jim was involved in so many organizations and projects that involved our diverse communities, the Jim McEntee Legacy Committee decided that the various communities and individuals who were touched by his life should have a real say in how he is honored.

The first honor was set last year when the County Board of Supervisors, after listening to input from community members, voted to name the plaza in front of the County building after Jim. The plaza was chosen because it is a place everyone can use, and it is frequently used to bring people together. For example, after 9/11, that is where people came together to deal with their grief and to support each other, regardless of ethnic or religious background.

The next step in this process is to decide on what kind of art can best preserve and promote Jim's legacy of Human Relations. The Jim McEntee Legacy Committee has contracted with local artist, Carlos Pérez, to design and create the memorial. Since Jim was all about people, the committee has asked Carlos to run a series of three focus groups wherein people from all over the county can come to express their ideas for the memorial. One of the focus groups will be held right in our neighborhood, since Jim lived here in East San Jose. If you knew and loved Jim, please plan to attend one of the focus group meetings.

For additional information, contact Gertrude Welch at (408) 446-0292.

Bud Welch and the Death Penalty
by Olga Rodriguez

I attended a lecture by Bud Welch on Monday, March 13, 2006, here at Saint John Vianney Parish. Bud was invited to speak to our Confirmation students, and again to parishioners, about what he has learned about forgiveness and healing. My son, Javier, is part of the youth group, and I brought him to this lecture to listen to Bud.

Bud shared a story with the Confirmation Class that he has been telling for a very long time. His daughter, Julie, worked in the Federal Building as a translator, and as a result, she was one of 168 women, men and children who were killed by the bomb that went off on April 19, 1995, at 9:02 AM. Later we learned that the ones responsible were Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols.

Bud had one daughter, Julie, and as a divorced father he spent a lot of time with her as she grew up. She was an outgoing, motivated, determined, intelligent young lady who set out to meet every goal she set for herself. Bud supported her every step, and when he could not provide the financial support for her to accomplish her goals, she would find a way to get it herself. Her specialty was foreign languages and she had an affinity to help people. She was an advocate against the death penalty and she was committed to her Catholic faith. As any parent would be, Bud was extremely proud of her to a point where he still gleams when he speaks of her. Following college she decided to take a job as a translator for social services in the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. She loved her job and participated in a weekly prayer group during her lunch hour.

After listening to Bud I realized that these simple facts do not begin to describe the turmoil and pain that so many people, including Bud, were to experience. Bud shared with us that he went through a phase of hatred. He abused alcohol and blamed himself, his daughter, and God, for a very long time. He originally supported the death penalty for McVeigh, along with 70% of the families of other victims. The change in his heart, explained Bud, came when he saw McVeigh's father on television one day. Bud realized that Mr. McVeigh had been hurt even more deeply by the bombing. He still loved his son, but could never brag about him again. This change was the beginning of his healing process. Bud began to reclaim the position he and Julie had shared, that the Death Penalty was not the answer to violence. He started to speak out to other victims and to the public at large. Eventually, he arranged to meet the McVeigh family. At that meeting, Mr. McVeigh, Jennifer (Tim's sister) and Bud bonded in a very deep way. After that meeting Bud realized, that one cannot feel better by killing someone. Killing does not bring about closure. Killing is a let down.

Bud described that meeting with the family showed him the pain that they were suffering. He felt that the pain they were feeling was very much like what he was feeling. They were sad, angry and confused. By recognizing the humanity in them, and much prayer and reflection, he was finally able to begin a healing process. Bud learned that the hatred and anger he felt towards Tim was not about Tim, but about himself.

Bud has since taken this experience and shared his story with many people in hopes that his newly found faith and wisdom would change the world in some way. Today, Bud is an advocate for abolishing the death penalty. He also compassionately relates not only to families of victims of such tragedies, but the families of those responsible.

The young kids in Confirmation reacted callously at first, but when a couple others shared stories of their own, it really brought it home. Bud was great in facilitating discussion and answered some questions.

I felt touched and grateful to have the opportunity to listen to Bud. My son and I had a very important conversation about this on the way home, and that was of immeasurable value. Click here to read Bud Welch's public statement about the execution.

Take a moment to pray for all the victims of this horrific bombing and the families of all effected. How do you feel about the Death Penalty? How do your children feel?

Editor's Note: About twenty adults attended the presentation that Bud Welch did in the Parish Office Center, after his presentation to the Confirmation Class. They were all very touched by his story. We passed a basket for donations and ended up with almost exactly the amount we owed for his presentation. Bud told me he very much enjoyed his time here and hopes to come again in the future.

Saint John Vianney Parish Council Meeting

Our next Parish Council meeting is April 5 at 7 PM in the Parish Office Center. We will be discussing:

Deanery Action
by Rosana Madrigal

• The discussion after Mass included a pledge to continue working for Just Immigration Reform. There was an agreement to communicate via email because the situation is so fluid. However, it was agreed that we would meet either in the morning or the afternoon on April 8 at Most Holy Trinity Church.
   
• It was also agreed the Deanery's Social Justice Committee will meet at 10 AM on Saturday, April 29, at Our Lady of Guadalupe.
   
• It was also reported that Saint John Vianney and Our Lady of Guadalupe contributed to the eight thousand cards collected to give to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. The cards ask for Just Immigration Reform.
   
• Several also agreed to attend the many Immigration Reform rallies and candlelight vigils in San Jose and San Francisco this week.

Lent/Easter Schedule

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)

Announcements

PARISH AND DEANERY:

Our Next Parish Council Meeting is April 5 at 7 PM in the Parish Office Center. Come to see how the Parish Council works, or to present your ideas to the council.

Parish Reconciliation Service: Plan to participate in our Parish Reconciliation Service with confessions on Thursday, April 6, at 7 PM.

St. Vincent de Paul Request: There are families in need of beds, tables, chairs, couches, chests and furniture in general. If you have any of these items in your garage and would like to donate them call Cristina Madrid at (408) 227-2577. St. Vincent de Paul serves many needy families in our parish and neighborhoods. Thank you for your generosity.

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. For more information contact the SJV School Development Office at (408) 258-7677 or kheinemann@sjvsj.org. Click here to see the updated registration flyer. Click here to see the revised sponsorship flyer.

Coming Events:
   o SJV Fiesta, May 19-21, at the SJV Courtyard.
For more information please contact David Couch at (408) 314-2393 or email dave@TheRedCarpetTeam.com.

COMMUNITY AT LARGE:

Save the Date: Saturday, June 24, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Diocese of San Jose will present the second Justice Symposium at Santa Clara University. Click here to see the flyer.

Have You Upgraded Your Kitchen Lately? Do you have items sitting around that you hardly ever use? EHC LifeBuilders is in need of the following items to help member of the homeless community transition into rental living situations: silverware, kitchen utensils, dish sets, pots and pans, microwaves, toasters and toaster ovens. Items must be working and in good condition. Donations can be delivered to 2011 Little Orchard St., San Jose, Ca 95125, Sunday through Saturday, 8 AM-3 PM, or to 533 Valley Way, Milpitas, Ca 95035 by appointment. Contact: Ginny Pfluger at 294-2100 x220 or email gpfluger@ehclifebuilders.org. See www.ehclifebuilders.org.

Weekly Readings

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