April 1, 2005
The Year of the Eucharist: Eucharist Adoration
by Bruno Martinez
As we reach nearly the midpoint of this Year of the Eucharist, we can take the time to reflect on what we have done, and what we may do, to give the Eucharist the proper reverence it deserves.
Those of you who attended Holy Thursday services may have noticed many more hosts were consecrated than usual. The reason so many hosts were consecrated to become the eternal sacrifice that is the Body of Christ, is that none are consecrated on Good Friday. Good Friday is the only day when we are expected to use the Blessed Sacrament from a previous celebration.
At the conclusion of the service, we processed to the main hall where an Altar of Repose was set up for veneration of the Eucharist. Hundreds filled the main hall as ciboria filled with the Blessed Sacrament were taken from the Church's tabernacle to the main hall's Altar of Repose, to hold a solemn vigil for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At 11:00 PM of Holy Thursday, after hundreds had venerated the Eucharist, there was a night prayer led by Fr. Andy. At the conclusion of this service, the Blessed Sacrament was taken from the tabernacle on the Altar of Repose and placed in the Sacristy, where it was held for Good Friday, and in vigil for the resurrection.
Eucharistic Veneration is one of the ways that the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disciple of the Sacraments suggests we honor that which is the Source and Summit of our faith, the Eucharist. Just as many held vigil and venerated the Blessed Sacrament, so can you every Friday in the Chapel of the Parish Office Center, where a Eucharistic Adoration is held from 9:00 AM until 5:30 PM.
If it fits into your schedule, try to attend at least one daily Mass each month, if not more, until the feast of Corpus Christi. Remember, attending Mass and taking part in communion are also ways to give thanks and homage to what Christ has given us. This year of the Eucharist lasts until the feast of Corpus Christi on May 26, and there will be many other ways for you to actively participate in this great call to discipleship the Holy Father has given us, both in our own parish and diocesan events. Keep reading the bulletin and the newsletter for updates.
Global Week of Awareness for Fair Trade
You're
invited to (have) a party!
As our way of celebrating the Global Week of Action for Fair Trade, we are
having a progressive coffee party. Now, you may be saying to yourself,
"What's a progressive coffee party?"
No, it is not a party for progressive people. It is progressive because it starts at one place and progresses to another, then another. It's a little bit like a Posada. Rather than looking for a room at the Inn, as we do with a Posada, we are looking for a cup of Fair Trade Coffee. Now, you may be saying to yourself, "What's Fair Trade Coffee and why would I be looking for some?"
Fair Trade Coffee is coffee that is grown organically (better for you) by farmers who are paid a living wage (better for them). Starbucks, and most other chain coffee houses offer Fair Trade Coffee. It ends up costing you about 3 cents more per cup than the coffee grown with chemicals and low waged workers. The problem is, that while they will sell you Fair Trade Coffee, they generally will not brew it. That is, they carry Fair Trade Coffee as a side line. We want them to brew it and make it a mainline product on their menu so more people get organic coffee (better to drink) and more farmers get paid a living wage (better for them).
What else can you do? Like charity, justice begins at home. Take a look in your cupboard to see if you have Fair Trade Coffee. If not, make a point of getting it next time you shop. If your store doesn't carry Fair Trade Coffee, ask them to do so. Starbucks and Rafiki Coffee shops both have it for you to buy. Then make sure your church, your office, and all the other places you drink coffee start using Fair Trade Coffee.
JustFaith
members and alumni will have Fair Trade Coffee, chocolate, and other items
for sale after all the Masses April 9 and 10, so you can stock your
cupboards while providing Third World workers with a living wage.
Now, about that party: We are gathering at 8:00 AM on Saturday, April 16 at the parish parking lot. We will divide into groups of four or five and carpool around town in search of a cup of Fair Trade Coffee. Each person will get a supply of cards explaining what Fair Trade Coffee is and why we want it. We will visit a variety of coffee shops in the area, requesting a brewed cup of Fair Trade Coffee. If they don't have brewed Fair Trade Coffee, explain why you think they should, give them a card to share with the store manager, tell them "Thank you." and politely leave. After visiting five or six shops, we will return to the parish for a party with all the Fair Trade Coffee you can drink.
Are you busy on April 16? Is 8:00 AM too early for you? No problem. We can provide you with cards and a list of Coffee Shops and you can organize your own progressive Coffee party at another time. Get all your friends involved. Together, we can make the world a better place.
www.ncrlc.com/GWofA-webpage.html
People Acting in Community Together (PACT) is a faith and community-based citizens group working in and around San Jose and Santa Clara County. PACT represents some 30,000 families through 18 member congregations, including St. John Vianney parish. It is committed to:
- Listening to our friends and neighbors' concerns
- Developing the leadership skills and relationships we need to effectively address our common concerns
- Identifying the factors and forces in our community that perpetuate helplessness, poverty, and injustice
- Increasing community well-being through improving education, safety, employment, housing, and health *
One of PACT's most recent (and on-going) community actions has been in the creation of small schools in the Alum Rock School District. The following statement is from a parent whose two children are now attending a small school:
"My daughter attends L.U.C.H.A. (Learning in an Urban Community with High Achievement) one of two new small elementary schools in the Alum Rock School District. My son attends Renaissance Academy of Arts, Science and Social Justice, a junior high. The title says it all because they teach them to be critical thinkers and appreciate the differences in points of view. The personal attention and the teacher commitment was something I could only dream of. A place where teachers collaborate with each other and their main goal is the success of our children. Not to long ago it was only a dream but now it is my children's reality.
I decided small schools were a good choice for my children because of its focus on strong parent involvement. As a parent you feel welcomed and encouraged to participate in or out of the classroom.
The teachers who make up the school care about our children and their success. They take the time to get to know each one of our children. Their energy and commitment is contagious."
We will be writing more about PACT and ways to become involved in our local St. John Vianney PACT in upcoming newsletters.
*From the PACT Mission statement: www.pactsj.org/one.html
St. John Vianney Parish made a Lenten commitment to Tsunami Relief.
A special second collection was taken at all the Easter liturgies. This
money will go toward rebuilding areas heavily damaged by the December 26
tsunami. Immediately after the disaster struck, funds poured in from
generous people all over the world. At one point, Catholic Relief Services
(CRS) was getting donations of over $150,000 per day. CRS does wonderful
work in all the areas hit by the Tsunami and has people and organizations in
place to help when a disaster like this hits.
Now that the original damage has settled, communities need to rebuild their infrastructure, create new housing and business sites. Fishermen need new boats to replace those trashed by the violent water. The funds collected at St. John Vianney will contribute to this effort.
Everyone in the parish was encouraged to make some sacrifice during Lent for the benefit of the victims of the December tsunami. One family contributed $400, $10 for each day in Lent. Perhaps another family could afford $40 ($1.00 per day) or $200 ($5.00 per day). The collection so far has amounted to $5,500. If you forgot to contribute, it is never too late. Just drop your donation in next Sunday's collection and clearly mark it for Tsunami Relief.
Evidently, some of you are actually reading and acting on what you find in this newsletter. In our March 18 issue, we introduced you to the New Neighborhood Voice, a monthly newsletter covering events and people in the Alum Rock area. The editor of that publications called to tell us that she received several requests for subscriptions. It's good to know the word is getting out there.
If you want to subscribe, email JudyET@NNVESJ.org with "Subscribe" in the subject line. If you know folks without email who are interested, have them call 408-272-7008.
BETWEEN DIRT AND SKY: A Musical Based on the Life of Cesar Chavez will be presented at the Mexican Heritage Center, April 7, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. This will be the only San Jose performance of Between Dirt and Sky, an original children's musical theater production inspired by the life of Cesar Chavez.
Ticket information:
$8.00 for adults
$6.00 for students
$25.00 for a family pass
To order tickets, call (408) 287-2290.
The musical is produced by the San Francisco Arts Education Project (ArtsEd), a nonprofit organization that places long-term artist residencies within San Francisco's public schools. ArtsEd's Event Players program recruits and trains talented 9-14 year old students in an after school musical theater program.
The Interfaith Council on Religion, Race, Economic & Social Justice, a group that brings Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and others together, invites you to join other people of faith exploring our common call to justice. Their Faith In Action Series meets Thursday evenings, April 7 through May 12, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. This six-session course will bring together progressive spiritual activists from diverse traditions to learn, connect, and mobilize. For more information, see the March 11 issue of the SJV Newsletter or contact Rev. Carol Been at 408-269-7872 x577 or carol@atwork.org .
The Annual St. John Vianney Fiesta "Celebrating Our Diversity" is quickly approaching. This year it is set for May 20 through May 22. We need CHAIRS and CO-CHAIRS....Manage a booth (Chair position) or assist in managing (Co-Chair position). If you are interested in the above Fiesta Positions, please contact: David Couch at 408-314-2393 or at dcouch36@sbcglobal.net , or Patricia Tovar at patricia.tovar@arusd.org.
This Week:
Second Sunday of Easter, April 3
Acts 2:42-47
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31Next Week:
Third Sunday of Easter, April 10
Acts 2:14, 22-33
1 Peter 1:17-21
Luke 24:13-35Praying the Scriptures:
Visit this web site for ideas on
praying the Scriptures:
www.liturgy.slu.eduTake a Moment to Pray:
Visit this web site for ideas on
the Ignatious way to pray:
www.sacredspace.ie
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