Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.
Guatemala
by Amy McEntee
the first part of a three part story
This past December I went to Guatemala
with a group called Refuge International. The experience was an amazing one.
The group, Refuge International, decided to focus on 
bringing
aid in the form of medical care, clean water, and education to Guatemala
because of the great need that exists there, and they decided to work in
areas of the country that other aid groups have not gone to because of the
difficulty of traveling to some of these location. Before going to
Guatemala, I understood that it was a poor country, and I had been to poor
parts of Mexico. I had expected that it would be a similar experience.
However, the level of poverty in Guatemala was much greater than I expected.
When I went with the group, we went for eight days and spent most of our time in Sartsun. Click here to see photos. Sartsun, is a very poor village, that is basically in a swamp. It is on the river that is the border between Belize and Guatemala. In order to get there you have to take a two hour boat ride from the largest nearby city. There are no roads that go to Sartsun. Refuge International, has been going there for a few years now, and has helped the village to make some great changes. The first thing that was done in Sartsun, was getting a well that provides clean water. The village sits on the river, with essentially huts on stilts for housing because the area frequently floods. There is no running water, and most of the toilets are out houses that drain into the river, that then floods. As you can imagine, in such an environment, it is difficult to maintain any sort of clean water source. However, now for the past three years, the village has had a well that is 100 feet deep. Having a clean water source has helped the village out a lot.
Some other great things that Refuge International has done in Sartsun have been medical care. About four times a year Refuge International takes a team of doctors and nurses to Sartsun to provide basic medical care, to make referrals, and to help figure out transportation for people who need more specialized care. The organization has also started a program for all school aged children to treat all children for parasites. Since parasites are endemic in the area, it is assumed that all the children do have parasites. Children who are not treated for parasites do not grow and develop appropriately. Refuge International provides parasite medication with which to treat the children every three months, and since then they have seen the weight and height of the children increase to a healthy weight and height. Many of the children we saw in other villages, that had not yet started treating all children for parasites, were much smaller, with most six year olds only weighing 30 pounds.
Editor's note: Amy McEntee, a graduate of St. John Vianney Parish School, and daughter of Jim and Ann McEntee, is a doctor at a Bay Area hospital.
JustFaith at Sacred Heart Community Service
by Ellen Turner
Members of this year's JustFaith group
spent a Saturday morning volunteering at Sacred Heart Community Service. We
met at St. John Vianney and carpooled over to the
community center on Alma and South First Street. Once we arrived, we signed
in and found our assignment for the morning. We went to work sorting
clothing that kind folks had donated. There were huge bins full of bags of
donated clothing, and then the staff people lined up three other bins for us
to fill, one for children's clothing, one for women's, and one for men's
clothing. There were special bins for shoes, which we rubber-banded together
so the pairs would not be separated. Click
here to see photos from the day.
Other
volunteers were there at the same time, young and old, high school students
and retired people. Volunteers are always needed. Sacred Heart Community
Service is one way we can all participate in feeding the hungry, clothing
the poor, and welcoming the strangers amongst us. (MT 25)
Sacred Heart Community Service is open to receive financial donations and in-kind donations of food and gently-used clothing. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, at 1381 South First Street in downtown San Jose. Donations may also be dropped off on Saturday from 9 AM to 12 noon. There are two sets of large double doors at the back of the building marked "DONATIONS".
For more information about Sacred Heart Community Service, visit their web site: www.shcstheheart.org
Quinceañera Retreat
by Pat Garcia
A beautiful retreat was held Last month for the Quinceañera girls and their sponsors by Patricia Cruzet, the Quinceañera coordinator for St. John Vianney Parish. Thirty girls and their parents and godparents attended this special day. The morning started with breakfast and icebreakers.
Esteban Najera from St. Patrick's Church spoke about prayers, the sacraments, the history of Quinceañera, and the important role parents have in the life of their teenage daughters. Bruno Martinez shared the importance of Church in life. Patricia enlightened the girls about the actual day of the Quinceañera and the Mass, explaining that the Mass is the highlight of the Day. Pat Garcia explained Catholic social justice and invited the girls to add one hour a week of volunteer time into their lives. She invited them to join the JustFaith group at the Family Shelter to cook breakfast the next Sunday.
A delicious lunch was served by the Cruzet family. Afterwards Bruno and Esteban ended the retreat with a beautiful blessing of the girls by their parents. All left feeling very spiritually up-lifted.
The girls were very motivated by the retreat and followed through by coming to the San Jose Family Shelter accompanied by their parents. They helped cook pancakes, eggs, sausages, sliced up fruit, and serve the breakfast. Click here to see photos. They visited with the residents as they enjoyed the breakfast. Some of the parents mentioned they had always wanted to serve the homeless and were very happy that their daughters asked to go to the Shelter.
At the end of the breakfast the families decided they would like to take over the responsibility from the JustFaith group, to serve breakfast every other month at the Shelter. This is truly Faith in Action. Patricia Cruzet has led the way by incorporating community service into the Quinceañera Faith Formation Classes. The girls and their families, many times grandparents and aunts and uncles are included, attend a special 12 noon Mass once a month serving as the greeter, ushers, and passing out the bulletins. Patricia instilled family involvement in the Church an important role in Quinceañera preparation.
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Hi Patricia, about
my experience at the shelter, it was great. My dad and I had never before
gone to a shelter and done community service, but now that we did it it
feels really good and we also feel happy to know that we had the
opportunity to help out the people who need our help. My dad and I are
willing to go again and help you guys out if you need any help. It was
kind of hard to wake up that early in the morning but it sure was worth
it. When I got to the shelter and I started helping out I didn't feel
sleepy at all anymore. I also consider that other people should go try
this out. Sincerely, -Juanita Perez
Hello Patricia! I wanted to thank you for coordinating the volunteer effort this past Sunday at the San Jose Family Shelter! Cooking breakfast, serving, and cleanup, was actually one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had in community service. Volunteering at a shelter was one of those things that I had recently thought about doing during the holiday season, but as is typical, with a busy schedule, it hadn't happened. My children Vanessa (soon to be quinceañera) and Daniel (13) were shocked when we told them we would have to get up at 5 am to go volunteer, but they definitely got a lot out of it. They said that it was both fun and meaningful to do something where you immediately see the results. Taking the time to actually volunteer and see the necessity of people in these shelters and hear their "thanks" was a rewarding experience. In talking about it before and afterwards with my children, they were surprised to see that the needy were "just like us" and not the stereotypical homeless that the media seem to portray. They also noticed that some people had their work uniforms on ready to go to work after breakfast. They realized that many of the people in the shelter are maybe just down on their luck or going through a tough time, and that volunteering can make a difference. I look forward to continuing to contribute on a regular basis. I hope this is possible whether it is through the church or directly with the shelter. Thanks again for your help in creating a positive experience! p.s. As a bonus, Vanessa even reconnected with a fellow quinceañera who was a grade school friend. She had lost contact with her after the 4th grade because we moved. What a nice surprise! -Jorge Garcia Volunteering at the homeless shelter was a memorable and fulfilling deed. I enjoyed feeding the homeless. This act felt like I was actually contributing to the people in society instead of indirectly helping the society by cleaning the environment. I actually witnessed the joy and gratefulness that the needy earned from us volunteering. I would like to do this again sometime because it made me feel very giving and good. This experience made me grateful for what my parents have provided for me. Every once in a while people need to encounter something that will make them realize and be thankful for what they have and this action made me realize my lifestyle. I could never imagine being in their situation financially and physically. I realized how quickly materialistic things can be taken away from you. I also realized that there were mothers there without their husbands but still with their children trying to provide the basic necessities in life by being fed at a shelter. Seeing this made me even more grateful for my family and made me realize that through thick and thin I will stick with my family. Feeding the homeless made me very thankful for what I have and taught me to be even closer to my family. -Vanessa Garcia |
SJV Spring Fling 2006
by Leticia Scaringe
The St. John Vianney Alumni Committee & The Drying Shed are excited to host our second Spring Fling: "Springtime in Paris" on Friday, April 28, at The Drying Shed Restaurant in San Jose.
Enjoy a Buffet Dinner to include Roast Top Round of Beef, Chicken Teriyaki, New York Lasagna, and much more. Indulge in our Delicious Desserts! Come and experience the live energy and non-stop dance floor excitement of the Dance Fever Era with mega-hits of the 70's & 80's, with a dash of the 90's & 2000's. PLUS great door prizes & take a picture with your date or friends as our special gift to you! (Please no guests under 21.)
| Tickets are $40 per person. Click here to see the registration flyer. |
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6:00 PM
7:00 PM 8:00 PM |
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7:00 PM
8:00 PM 12:00 AM |
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No Host Cocktails
Buffet Dinner & Raffle Dancing, featuring Live Band "The Hitmen" (www.TheHitmen.com) |
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| 50/50 Super Jackpot Tickets available for purchase (you do not need to be present to win). Winner receives 50% of the tickets sold! Cost: $5.00/ticket or $20.00/book of 6. | |||||
Ed Ramsey, owner the Drying Shed (www.TheDryingShed.com), has generously offered the use of his restaurant, his staff and donated the food for this fundraising event. Thank you, Ed! All proceeds to benefit the SJV-Sister Joan Marie Scholarship Fund.
Individuals/Companies - Become a sponsor of Spring Fling 2006. See the flyer for more details. Click here to see the sponsorship flyer.
Buy your Spring Fling Tickets at the school: Monday, April 24, through Friday, April 28, from 2:45 PM to 3:15 PM or contact the School Development Office at (408) 258-7677 or kheinemann@sjvsj.org. - http://www.sjvsj.org/home/Spring+Fling
Thank You For Your Support!
From the Bookshelf: Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
by Ellen Turner
My friend, Tim, from St. Joseph Cathedral
recommended this book to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Anne Lamott is a
person who really helps you see your foibles and 
teaches
you about the nitty gritty realities of God's Love for us all. She is a
single mother who has made a series of regrettable poor decisions in her
life, but still found the Love of God and developed a deep spirituality that
keeps her going in the worst of times. She shares her ups and downs, joys
and frustration in a straightforward, shoot from the hips style that makes
for easy reading but still touches your heart and inches you forward toward
a deeper and deeper relationship with God.
The title of the book, Traveling Mercies, comes from the well wishes of an older woman at the little neighborhood church where Lamott has found community. When Lamott sets off on a journey that will keep her away from the church for a while, the woman wishes her "Traveling Mercies."
My favorite quote from this book is found on page 120 (paperback edition); "Again and again I tell God I need help, and God says, 'Well, isn't that fabulous? Because I need help too. So you go get that old woman over there some water, and I'll figure out what we're going to do about your stuff.' "
Traveling Mercies, by Ann Lamott, Anchor Books, New York, 1999.
St. Joseph the Worker - Dayworker Center
"I was hungry and you gave me food; thirsty and you gave me drink; a stranger and you welcomed me; naked and you clothed me; sick and you cared for me; in prison and you visited me." (Matt 25: 35-36)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization of Santa Clara County, leads, supports and guides people to join together to serve the needy and to grow spiritually. The Society's goals are:
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To better serve
the needy by supporting the development and growth of St. Vincent de Paul
Conferences (parish groups) in Santa Clara County.
To support and/or enhance our service to the needy by undertaking and operating business ventures (e.g. Thrift Stores, Auto Sales) which are guided by Catholic social teaching. To facilitate the work of Conferences, services and business operations by maintaining and developing supportive organizational structures. |
We commemorate Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1. Do you need a worker? The Day Worker Center can arrange qualified laborers from their talent pool to work for you. Most are 'regulars', workers who are known to be dependable and able to do the job(s) you need done. Day Worker Location and Hours: 749 Story Road at Senter, San Jose. Tuesday through Saturday, 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Phone (408) 993-0837. Fax (408) 993-0885.
-- Frequently Asked Questions --
What kind of workers do you have? All kinds - elder care, contractor assistance, Digging, garage cleanups, gutters, heavy labor, housekeeping, landscaping, moving assistance, odd jobs, painting, planting, plumbing, sheet rock, window washing, yard work, and someone to assist with just about anything else.Can I be sure to get somebody who speaks some English? For most of the laborers, Spanish is their native language. Some speak English well; most speak some English. You will be paired with a worker who has suitable communication skills for your needs.
Have you 'qualified' the workers? We register the workers everyday as they enter. The workers come to the Center seeking a safe place, looking for assistance with language and culture, and seeking employment with dignity. We are a community resource in matching needs, but we are not an employment agency and we have not done background checks. We seek feedback from your experience.
How much should I pay? Please clarify what hourly wage you will be paying before leaving the Center. Naturally, the skill level and difficulty of the work should dictate the appropriate wage. Most of the day laborers receive $10 to $15 per hour; specialty skills may command higher pay. You may, of course, pay a bonus if the work is well done.
What about transportation? Although a few workers have cars and/or bicycles, you should plan to take the workers with you and return them to the Center. Many live within walking distance; others will take public transportation home.
Any other suggestions? Most of the workers will not have food or drink with them. Please offer them something to eat and drink during the workday; they will be most appriciative. Please show them where the bathroom is located.
PARISH AND DEANERY:
Confirmation:
for the high school students who have completed this year's Confirmation
program at SJV, scheduled for Friday,
April 21,
at 6 PM, in the church.
Marriage Enrichment is Coming to SJV! Married couples: If you have a sweet tooth for your sweetheart - and for dessert, satisfy both your cravings by joining us for our first SJV Marriage Enrichment Get-Together on Thursday, April 27, at 7 PM in the Parish Office Center. On-site childcare will be provided. Contact Richard and Veronica Wildanger (408) 937-1483 or email rpwildanger@earthlink.net.
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.
Parish Communications Workshop Series, by Diocese of San Jose, to be held May 2 and May 9, 6:30-9:30 PM, at St. Joseph, Cupertino. To reserve a spot, call 983-0122.
St. John Vianney Fiesta 2006 - "Teams Building Our Community", Friday, May 19, 5-11 PM, Saturday, May 20, 11 AM - 11 PM, and Sunday, May 21, 11 AM - 9 PM. Admission is Free! A must for the entire family! Authentic food, carnival rides, variety of entertainment (popular bay area bands and more!) fun games and booths. Raffle tickets available (win awesome prizes!!) AND.....THE Famous Sunday Chicken BBQ, Tickets: Adult $8, Children (12 and under) $5. 12 Noon to 6 PM or until the food runs out. For more info call the parish office at (408) 258-7832 or contact David Couch at (408) 314-2393, or email dave@TheRedCarpetTeam.com.
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Fiesta Chair Positions available: Sweet Booth Co-Chair Bingo Co-Chair Dart Toss Chair Multi-Media Co-Chair Raffle Ticket Coordinator Banners Co-Chair Set Up/Tear Down Coordinator Monday Clean Up Coordinator |
COMMUNITY AT LARGE:
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.
PACT Mayoral Candidates Forum:
Sunday, May 21, 3 PM, Parkside Hall, 180 Park Ave, Downtown San Jose. Come
hear the mayoral candidates address the issues most important to everyday
people in San Jose:
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o Creating the
world-class public school system our high-tech Valley needs
o Making housing affordable to all our families o Improving the safety and security of every person o Creating a community where all people, including immigrants, are treated with respect o Guaranteeing our young people a hopeful future |
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This Week:
2nd Sunday of Easter: April 23
Next Week:
3rd Sunday of Easter: April 30
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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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Join Our eMail List!
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.