April 29, 2005
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And they received the Holy Spirit ! |
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On Christmas Day,
we celebrated the birth of Our Lord into the world. During Holy Week, we
commemorated His Passion, the suffering that His human body endured because
of our sins. On Easter Sunday, we celebrated His Resurrection from death to
life. And, forty days later, we celebrate His Ascension into heaven, the
rising of Christ's body to sit at the right hand of the Father.
The Ascension of the Lord is the final event of Jesus' bodily earthly ministry. It marks the end of Christ's work on earth and the beginning of the work of the Church.
At His Ascension into heaven, Jesus entrusted His apostles with two tasks - to baptize disciples of all nations, and to teach them what He taught them.
The tasks entrusted to the apostles have been passed on to each generation, to us. So, these are OUR tasks, too. We cannot fulfill them unless aided by the Holy Spirit.
Christ's mission as teacher, revealer, and redeemer of mankind was ended with the Ascension, but his full mission has not yet been completed. That mission will not be finished until the last day, when "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead".
We just recently elected our new St. John Vianney Parish Pastoral Council, but this is not the first council our parish has had. In 1964, under pastor Fred A. Cook, a full plan for the parish was created and implemented.
When we were designing our new Parish Council, Jack McBrattney, a member of the team and a long time parishioner, shared with us a document from that earlier time. Called "Plan for a Living Christian Community," the document describes issues that are very similar to today's issue and concerns. At that time, our community was much the same, yet very different. We had nuns galore at our school. Most women were not working outside the home. We had on staff a lay theologian who conducted adult education classes and offered counseling.
The next article in this issue is a transcription of the first few pages of that document. We included page one and two of the first chapter, as well as the Conclusion from page 12, signed by Father Cook.
To see scanned document, click here.
If you have other historic documents or photos of St. John Vianney Catholic Community in earlier days, we would love to borrow them. It is our hope to create a useful history of our community, making that story available on the internet for our children and grandchildren as well as neighbors. To share a document or photo, send an email to newsletter@sjvonline.net and we will contact you to arrange a time for scanning.
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THE PARISH
PLAN FOR A LIVING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Our Lord Jesus Christ says to us today:
If we would truly follow Christ --- that is, be vital
Christians ---
St. John Vianney Parish Plan for Christian Belief, Life, Worship, Love __________________________ A Living Parish __________________________ PARISH MANUAL: CHAPTER ONE I I PURPOSE "Why change?" "Why upset things?" "What's wrong with our parish just as it is?" These are questions some people might very well ask. The answer is not a simple one. Few of us like to change just for the sake of changing and certainly that is the farthest thing from our pastor's mind or wish. We live in a complex, fast-moving world; one in which we must be ever alert to live our witness to Christ in accord with the character and needs of our day. This does not mean that the ancient, vital truths of the Faith are changing: rather it means that we recognize intelligently our joy and responsibility in showing the Christ-life that is in us in such a way that modern man is caused to ask, "Why are these Christians so different?", and so may come to love and live in Christ as we do. It has been said that the central problem of modern man [people] is loneliness; it has also been said that Catholics are aloof, self-satisfied. Surely it is true that, in a large parish, it is a real and continuing difficulty to build and sustain the personal involvement and contact and concern that should, by definition, be a basic sign of any Christian community. The changes we propose to make in our parish life are intended to help us do just that: live the Christian life and show forth Christ-in-us more effectively. By your Baptism you became a member of Christ's Body, sharing in His Priesthood as one of a "royal race". These changes in our Christian community life offer you a splendid opportunity to fulfill your Christian destiny. Surely you will hear and heed Christ’s call - to YOU - NOW. II THE BASIC IDEA For many reasons - historical, social, economic - most of us have grown up as Catholics in large parishes where we sort of fell into step in a life and kind of operation that has given increasing cause for distress to many of our bishops, priests, and lay people. Briefly, because the priest is - as he must be - the heart and center of any Catholic community, we gradually came to exhibit a distorted idea that "if it has to do with religion, it is work for the priests and nuns". In many instances, we forgot our personal Christian heritage, task, responsibilities. We even came to act, at least, as though being a Catholic was a lot like membership in a lodge: show up for the "ceremonials", keep an eye on the rules, pay dues when you must - but don’t get "fanatical" about it (like making religion a living, seven-day-week affair). This situation has had many sad consequences. Most important, many of us have never grown up or matured in our Faith; the world about us remains (through our fault?) non-Christian. We have, many of us, failed to taste the tremendous joys of the full Christian life. What can we do about it? A. WORSHIP Well, here as in every other historic time in the life of God's Church, the Holy Spirit guards and leads the people of God. You all know how the saintly Pope John XXIII called for an "aggiornamento" (an updating) in our Christian life. The Council which he called into being has already given us great guidance toward a renewal, a freshening of the Christian life and spirit. It is called the "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy" and deals with the way in which we, together, worship God. (...skip to page 12...) V - CONCLUSION My dear friend, there have been few ages of man [mankind] more exciting to the Christian than the one we live in - and none more challenging. The Holy Spirit, through the Church the Council, hierarchy and laity through our neighbors, and through your own conscience, is calling upon you to take a new look at the ancient, always-new Faith of Christ; to acquire a deeper understanding of what it means to be a member of Christ - and then to commit yourself and your life to Christ Our Lord and our Brother. If we respond to His call and His grace we can truly re-make the world from our parish. Your priests cannot accomplish this task it is one for all of us praying and working together. Christ is counting on you - as your pastor, so am I. Will you help?
Confidently, in
Christ,
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Public Hearing - James P. McEntee Sr.
How shall our
community remember Jim McEntee and carry on his work? There will be a public
hearing regarding Jim McEntee's legacy on Wednesday,
May 11:
| 3-5 PM | - | Supervisor Blanca Alvarado, facilitating |
| 7-9 PM | - |
Human Relations Commission Chair,
Debra Dake, facilitating |
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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAMBERS
COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER 70 WEST HEDDING, SAN JOSE |
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Last September 13, 2004, Jim McEntee Sr.,
a true hero in our community, died suddenly. For 27 years, Jim was director
of the Santa Clara County Office of Human Relations until his retirement in
2003. Jim helped establish the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Emergency
Housing Consortium, the Asian Law Alliance, and many other non-profits that
have helped hundreds of thousands in our community. Jim was a role model, a
great humanitarian, a master at conflict resolution, and a caring and loving
person.
His life was dedicated to peace and social justice for all people - immigrants, people of color, the homeless, farm workers and the GLBT community. Father of nine children, Jim was a Roman Catholic priest before leaving the active priesthood in 1973 to marry Ann Mainland, a former nun. Together, Ann and Jim modeled, for all of us, a partnership devoted to God, family and community.
The McEntees have been active members of St. John Vianney Parrish for over twenty years. Jim and Ann were both part of the first JustFaith group, and Ann is helping lead the group this year. They were also founding members of the group that has become MT25.org. It would be wonderful for a large number of parishioners to take this opportunity to publicly recognize Jim's contributions to our community and to help the County decide how best to acknowledge his life and mission publicly. Some suggestions include naming a building or park after him, but our hope is that the public will come up with other ideas too.
The public hearing will give the community an opportunity to share their remembrances and stories of Jim and vote for their choice of a County facility to be named in his honor. The Jim McEntee Legacy Community Committee has chosen three possibilities: the County Building, the Board of Supervisors' Chambers, or the Plaza in front of the County Building. Please join in this community remembrance of the life and work of Jim McEntee.
Sponsored by the Jim McEntee Legacy Community Committee and co-sponsored by the Human Relations Commission, the Office of Human Relations, SIREN, BAYMEC, Amnesty International, Asian Law Alliance, Islamic Networks Group (ING), Community Homeless Alliance, MT25.org, JustFaith of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, American Muslim Voice, and others.
Celebrating Our Diversity - SJV's Annual 3-Day Fiesta
This year’s St. John Vianney Fiesta is a must for the entire family with an all new venue for 2005. This is an event that has been cherished by the East San Jose Community for over 30 years. Entry is FREE !
Enjoy
carnival and booth games such as the popular Football Toss, creative and
fun games for kids such as the Duck Game. You can try your luck at balloon
popping or at the ball toss or darts. There are cool prizes for everyone !
Enjoy great food, exciting rides and the famous Sunday Chicken BBQ and Raffle. Plus LIVE Entertainment daily that will be sure to please folks from all walks of life! This fiesta is f-u-n and ONE OF A KIND !
| Friday, May 20 - | 5 PM to | 11 PM |
| Saturday, May 21 - | 11 AM to | 11 PM |
| Sunday, May 22 - | 11 AM to | 9 PM |
The Famous Chicken BBQ, on Sunday, starts at Noon and continues until 6 PM, or until the food runs out. Cost for BBQ is $7 for adults, $4 for children under 12.
For More Information: Call (408) 258-7832.
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We still 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. |
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SJV Fiesta MultiMedia Booth NEEDS YOU Donate: Books, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, Audio tapes, Software, Computer games, Video games...etc...English, Spanish, other languages. Volunteer: Help sort and pack donations, set-up/pack-up materials at the Fiesta, or help out at the booth during Fiesta. Buy: Come browse and buy from a great selection of new and gently used items at great prices. Thanks for supporting the Saint John Vianney Parish Community. Drop off donations at the school or Parish Office Center or call for pick-up of large quantities. For more information, contact Sue Lapsys at 946-7771 or 258-3099. Leave a message if no answer. |
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Marketing Booths for Fiesta Fiesta organizers are allowing marketing booths at the Fiesta. These booths are for soliciting/marketing products and services. No selling. You bring your own 10' x 10' booth and man it. The price is $350.00 for the 3 days. If you need a place to order give aways with your business name, you may contact Christine at LOGO's Excetera - located in Milpitas . They offer a great array of items at great prices. Please identify yourself as a SJV parishioner. For more information, contact David Couch at (408) 314-2393 or Esthela Estrada at (408) 926-9112. |
When
I mentioned to a friend
that the Bengal Tiger is my favorite animal. She suggested that I read
The Life of Pi,
by Yann Martel. The novel is a surprising tale of a sixteen year old boy,
son of an Indian zookeeper, who finds himself adrift in the Pacific ocean on
a small lifeboat with a Bengal tiger as his only housemate.
The story is riveting. Pi's adventure is about survival but also about faith. Prior to his trip, Pi has explored and embraced a number of religions including his native Hindu, Catholicism, and Islam. The story gives you much to think about.
An evening Bible Study on the Gospel of John will be presented by the Very Rev. David Bird on Tuesday evenings May 17, 24, 31, and June 7 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the parish office center.
The
retreat, "A Walk with Jesus,"
is on Saturday,
May 14
from 10 AM to 3 PM at SJV. Meet at the Parish Office Center. Lunch
will be provided and childcare is available. Click
here to see the flyer. For more information and to confirm
attendance, contact Mike Navarro at (408) 404-1805 or mikenavarro@hotmail.com
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Reminder: The Jim McEntee Legacy Story Collection wants as many people as possible to share stories of Jim, so we can all remember and imitate him. If you have a story to tell, visit the website: www.JimMcEnteeLegacy.org
The Housing Consortium needs pots and pans. Take a look in your cabinets to see if there are any rarely used kitchen tools that can help a needy family get established. Call Sue Lapsys at 946-7771 to arrange for pick up.
History San Jose is open Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 PM. Admission is now free, thanks to a grant from Cisco Systems. Locations are, History Park at Kelley Park, as well as at the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House in downtown San Jose. HSJ, www.historysanjose.org ,is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the continuing history of the Santa Clara Valley, and manages the largest regional collection of history in the State of California.
St. John Vianney School is still accepting applications for the 2005-06 school year for Kindergarten and First Grade. Applications can be picked up in the school office Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM or on-line at our school website: www.sjvsj.org. For more information you can e-mail mwood@sjvsj.org or contact Co-Principal, Martha Wood at (408) 258-7677.
The 30th annual Berryessa Art and Wine Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Penitencia Creek Park (adjacent to Berryessa Community Center, 3050 Berryessa Road). The festival will feature a variety of foods and wines, as well as 156 artisans selling their wares. Admission is free, and all net proceeds go to music programs in Berryessa elementary and middle schools.
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This Week:
Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 1
Ascension of the Lord, May 5
Next Week:
Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 8
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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:
Visit this web site for ideas on the Ignatious way to pray: www.sacredspace.ie |
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Visit our web site at: www.sjvsj.net