May 20, 2005
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God so loved the world that he gave his only Son... |
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The Sunday after Pentecost is designated as Trinity Sunday, a day set aside for Christians to contemplate the Holy Trinity, one God in three persons, the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Spirit. The color of the day is white.
From
Advent through Pentecost, the Church ponders with joy and thanksgiving what
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have done to accomplish the salvation of sinful
humanity. During the Season after Pentecost, we focus on how we as
Christians ought to respond to the love that God has shown us. Trinity
Sunday is a transitional day that bridges these two parts of the liturgical
year. This is the solemn day on which we praise and adore God both for what
He has done for the world and for who He is.
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Family Activities to honor the Holy Trinity:
Doxology and Sign of the Cross: The most fundamental -- and simplest -- affirmation of the Holy Trinity is the invocation known as the doxology, a prayer of praise: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, accompanied by the sign of the cross. Even very small children can learn to make the sign of the cross. The Trinity is always invoked at baptism: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Teaching stories: The truth of the Trinity should be taught to children, even if no one can penetrate this mystery given to us by the Lord. Two saints of the distant past left accounts. Saint Augustine recounted that when he was walking on the beach one day, trying to understand the Trinity, he saw a little boy digging a hole in the sand near the water. Augustine noticed that the hole was filled with water, and asked the child how deep the hole was. The boy replied that its depth is fathomless, immeasurable -- like the mystery of the Trinity Augustine vainly sought to comprehend. Saint Patrick attempted to illustrate the "Three-in-One and One-in-Three" by using a three-leaf shamrock. At this time of year, many people have a stand of new green clover in their lawns. You might illustrate the Saint Patrick story by taking children outside to find clover so that they can see that the structure of the one leaf consists of three parts. One part cannot be removed without destroying the wholeness of the leaf. On a walk around the neighborhood , or even around the house, look for any objects that could symbolize the concept of the Trinity. (Hint: find triangles!)
Cloverleaf rolls: Have the children help make these rolls, by placing three walnut-sized balls of dough in each cup of a muffin pan. If you haven't time or inclination to make real cloverleaf rolls, a simple way is to make the dough from baking mix or -- even easier -- to from tubes of canned biscuit dough. Use this dough to make the balls. Follow the baking directions on the box or tube. Brush the cloverleaf rolls with milk just before baking. Three-in-one salad: Use three fruits in a fruit salad (e.g. apples, bananas, and grapes/pineapple, oranges, bananas); or add three different kinds of fruit to jello. "Trinity" candle: An effective table decoration is a pillar candle with three wicks. You can usually find these in candle shops. You could make a somewhat less clearly symbolic but still-pretty substitute by binding three candles together with narrow ribbon, and affixing them to a small plate with florist's wax. (Be sure to tie the ribbon low enough that it will not be ignited!) Centerpiece of flowers could appropriately combine clover, or oxalis (which also has tripartite leaves) with iris, which has three upright petals (standards) supported by three "falls". (The wild flower, trillium, also has three triangular petals, but although it usually blooms at this time of year, it is hard to find.) Doxology: Say the doxology in praise of the Holy Trinity before Grace, either in English or in Latin. |
See You at the SJV Fiesta
by Leticia Scaringe
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2005 SJV Fiesta
Committe Members
Entertainment: (additions) MUST SEE Mr. Magic Fantasy Magic Show Sunday at 12:30 - main stage At the SJV Courtyard: Saturday
Sunday
"Schedule Subject to Change" Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed for setting up the Merchandising Room on Friday at 12:30 PM, and for Monday Clean-up at 8:30 AM. To volunteer, please contact Patricia Tovar @ 750-7028 or patricia.tovar@arusd.org. |
"How Santa Clara County Should Honor Jim McEntee,"
was the topic of a pair of public hearings on May 11 at the County
Government Office, 70 West Heading. Held in the Supervisors Chambers the
afternoon hearing was 
moderated
by long-time McEntee friend, Supervisor Blanca Alvarado. The evening session
was moderated by Diane Dank, chair of the County Human Relations Commission.
Testimony was heard from a variety of individuals representing a wide cross section of our community. Each person who spoke told about how Jim's life impacted themselves and/or their community. It was a joy to hear how one life could make such a difference.
Each speaker was also asked to suggest which facility should be named in Jim's honor. At the start of the hearings, Blanca Alvarado and many others wanted to name the County Government Center or the Supervisor's Chambers after Jim, but after all was said and done, and everyone placed their individual vote on the ballots provided, the location that makes the most sense to the most people is the plaza in front of the Government Center.
Jim used the plaza as a gathering place for the community when public celebration or mourning was appropriate. That is where the Vietnamese Community gathered to celebrate their unity after great stress. That is where people of various ethnic and religious heritage gathered to seek ways to make sense of the world after 9/11. The plaza is available to everyone at all times, always welcoming, much like Jim was.
The Jim McEntee Legacy Committee and Jim's family have asked the Board of Supervisors to honor Jim's legacy by naming the plaza after him. In the long run, Jim won't care what we name after him. He will care what we do after him. For more information about Jim McEntee visit the web site: www.JimMcEnteeLegacy.org.
Parish Council News
by Ray Turner
The next Parish Town Hall meeting will be Sunday afternoon, June 12th, from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Your new Parish council will report on the progress made since the meeting last year where you told us your priorities were: Youth & young adult ministry, social justice, communication, and liturgy. We'll also update you on the plans for the new building. And we'll ask for your further input on parish needs. Please save the date and plan to join us.
| What has your parish council been up to since you elected them on February 10th? We've discussed some of the issues facing the parish, notably the new building and next year's budget, and the priorities you set for the parish at the town hall meeting a year ago. We'll be reporting details to you on the plan for new building at the June 12th town hall meeting, but the short story is we're going ahead with the building. We've also approved launching a three year stewardship program in the fall to increase involvement in the parish - more details at the June 12th Town Hall meeting. In a couple of weeks we'll have a process set up for you to submit matters of importance to the Parish Council and/or get on the Council's agenda to discuss the issue. |
Thank you so much to Diana Albert and Veronica Wildanger for hosting our last Women's Time Out (WTO). We had a great time visiting and scrapbooking...and visiting!!
Save
the date for the next WTO event--Thursday, May 26: A Tropical Night of Bunco
hosted by Janine Crawford and Anne Vogel! What? You've never heard of Bunco?
Bunco is a fast moving dice game played in groups of four. The groups rotate
as the game progresses. It is a lot of fun...and there will be prizes. Wear
your most outrageous tropical outfit and get a goody bag!
WTO is a friendly group of parish women, always looking to welcome new people, for fun and friendship. Please contact Laura Rossini at 254-8602 for more information.
SJV School 8th Grade Graduation Retreat
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The High School and College Team Leaders |
Graduating SJV students participated in their 8th grade graduation retreat, themed "Strength for the Journey," on Monday, May 16, at the Presentation Center. This was their retreat, their time to reflect and pray. The day was a combination of praying for and thanking their fellow graduates and teachers. It was also an opportunity for them to talk with some SJV alumni who are in high school and college. They were very open with their retreat leaders, and had a wonderful experience.
Please join me in thanking this years leaders (pictured above) for their hard work and hours of planning: Janelle Adams 01, Jeffrey Adams 02, Brittany Barry 02, Courtney Barry 01, Stephen Diangson 02, Scott Fredianelli 02, Kelley Gause 03, Patrick Heil 99, Lauren Kettmann 03, Julie McKenna 03. I hope to work with such talented alumni again, next year!
Submitted by Nicholas Adams 99
Sixty or more junior high school students
gather regularly at SJV for a great Youth Ministry program managed by David
Cortese. A variety of adults and 
High
School volunteers help out as leaders. They teach about faith, respect for
others, non-violent conflict resolution, as well as sacramental preparations
for students who have not made their First Communion or Reconciliation.
Amanda, Matt, and Diane are three of the high school volunteers who work with the Junior High program. Amanda and Matt attend James Lick High School, while Diane attends Piedmont High School. Amanda and Diane both participated in CCD classes themselves, but Matt did not. All three agree that they help out now because it is fun to do. They recognize that they learn along with their students. They enjoy relating to the various kids in the program, and building new friendships. They get to have fun and learn more about God and our faith at the same time.
Julio is one of the students in the Junior High program. He joined the program in September and was baptized, confirmed, and made his First Communion at the Easter Vigil Service this year. Julio would like to serve as part of the leadership team next year, if he can work out transportation issues.
The Junior High program will continue through the summer, with mostly fun events. A typical meeting starts with ice breaker games to get everyone talking. Then the topic for the day is introduced and there are activities that relate to the topic. The day we interviewed Julio, Amanda, Diane, and Matt was the last official meeting for the school year, so it was mostly a party.
If you would like to join the Junior High program as a student, a student leader, or as an adult volunteer, contact David Cortese at dcortese@sjvsj.net.
A Walk with Jesus - Part 1: Who is Jesus?
by Judi Miel
(Part 2: "Living A Christian Life" is planned for next week's NL)
The Saint John Vianney Chapter of the Silicon Valley Young Adults group presented a one day retreat, entitled "A Walk with Jesus," on Saturday, May 14. The retreats focus was for young adults to get to know Jesus more intimately and make him a part of our daily lives.
The
retreat consisted of four parts. The first part was a discussion on who
Jesus is and what his role is in my life. The second part was a talk given
by Father Tim Kidney on the presence of Jesus Christ . The third was a
workshop, led by Gustavo Gonzalez, helping participants develop a spiritual
action plan. Lastly, we ended the retreat by praying and recommitting
ourselves to Jesus.
The first talk was led by Veronica and Richard Wildanger, parishioners of Saint John Vianney. Their talk challenged all the attendees with the following question: Do I really know Jesus? Most importantly, does he sustain me? It is one thing to quote the Bible or repeat things we have been taught all our lives about Jesus. It is another thing to model our lives after Jesus.
As a group, we began to paint a portrait of Jesus. We said that Jesus was a kind, gentle, patient, loving and giving friend. He was a popular, charismatic and revolutionary teacher. However, Jesus was also humble, loving, tolerant and compassionate. He showed a special love for those less fortunate and the innocent. He was selfless and forgiving but also human and acknowledged his weaknesses to God. He taught by example and modeled for us how we should be obedient to our Father. Jesus showed us that prayer was a way to get to know God. He was decisive and stood by his convictions. Lastly, Jesus was committed to a greater good and surrendered his will and life to the Father.
After painting this portrait of Jesus, we were able to see Jesus more as a person rather than a far removed icon. We could relate to him more on a personal level. However, knowing Jesus goes beyond what we know, but rather, guides what we do and say. Walking with Jesus is actually a call to action. As Veronica said, "The Christian life is not something you only think about or that you have, but it is something you do." Richard added, "Following Jesus means far more than just hanging out with him, listening to his teachings or being healed by him and the like. It means to surrender yourself and to give up your will, wants and needs, including your need for control."
Living a life modeled after Jesus Christ is not easy. We are constantly faced with challenges, doubts, confusion and fear. But there is good news; we are not alone in this struggle. Jesus is always with us! "Know that I am with you always until the end of this world." (Matthew 28: 20) He will be with us when we ask the questions: Are we following where Jesus is leading us? Is my life patterned after his example? What role does Jesus have in my life today? As Richard concluded the discussion he said, "If you discovered that you know Him deeply, then answer the question by going out and sharing what you know of him through your choices and relationships."
For information on future events, please contact Mike Navarro at mikenavarro@hotmail.com .
Family Faith Formation
is offered by St. John Vianney Parish. Registration will be taking place in
June, with priority given to our own parishioners. Click
here to see the Class Schedule & Registration Information for
the upcoming catechetical year.
Feast of Corpus Christi Eucharistic Adoration: On Sunday, May 29, we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi where we, as Catholics, celebrate the Holy Eucharist. To commemorate the gift that Christ has given us and the Year of the Eucharist, there will be Eucharist Adoration in the chapel of the Parish Office Center from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. For more information or to sign up to hold vigil with the Blessed Sacrament, please contact Bruno Martinez: (408) 274-7552 or bruno@sjvonline.net.
Theology on Tap, "Christian Discipleship, Why Bother?"
with Fr. Brendan McGuire, presented by Silicon Valley Young Adults - St.
Cyprian, at Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub, 187 South Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale,
on
May 22
at 7 PM to 9 PM. Admission is free, food and drinks are sold. Click
here to see the flyer.
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 first evening was very interesting. Dr. Bird started out by asking us each to spend five minutes outlining our life stories. We didn't share the specifics with each other, rather we used that as an insight into how a gospel may have taken form. That is, how did the author decide what parts of the story to include? Everyone really enjoyed the evening's discussion. If you want to join us next week, read chapters 1-13 of the Gospel of John and bring your bible with you on Tuesday evening.
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 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or on-line at our school website www.sjvsj.org. For more information you can email mwood@sjvsj.org or contact Co- Principal, Marth Wood at (408) 258-7677.
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This Week:
Holy Trinity, May 22
Next Week:
Body & Blood of Christ, May 29
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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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