This April, SJV hosted the 2nd annual Women’s Day of Prayer. The speaker, Sarah Christmyer, provided a prayerful and moving day retreat for over 175 women. The Parish Life and Adult Formation departments were joined in the organization of this event by some of the women’s group in our parish including The Women’s Club, St. Anne’s Society, St. Monica’s Society, and The Joyfull Women’s Guild. The Women’s Day of Prayer is open to women or all ages and you do not have to be a parishioner to attend. We hope you’ll join us next year!
Eagle Pass Mission Teams Successfully Complete Two Trips
Over the week of Spring Break, nine SJV parishioners participated in a mission trip to Eagle Pass, TX (on the border with Mexico). Serving as project leaders and mentors for students from four Catholic high schools, the Mission Team members worked hard and completed repairs on five homes for the elderly, disabled, and the very poor. The work involved repairing roofs, siding, and painting.
The students came from Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep, St. Pius X High School, St. Agnes Academy, and Strake Jesuit College Prep. They were joined in the work by the Eagle Pass High School students as well as the families in whose homes they were working.
From April 2nd through the 7th, a group of sixteen parishioners traveled once more to Eagle Pass to continue the repairs on six homes in the community. Their work included roofing, siding, window and door replacements, caulking, painting, electrical wiring, insulation and sheetrock.
More importantly, the Mission Teams continue to foster and grow the relationships they’ve established with the homebound whom they have assisted in the past. The community spirit and camaraderie developed by the team through Fr. Gerry Kelly’s spiritual guidance is remarkable! The missioners visited several families, brought them nutritious food, and prayed with them. They also worshiped with the families they helped at the local parish, participated in a walking Way of the Cross, and enjoyed time with each other.
We congratulate and thank our Mission Team and these remarkable young men and women! As representatives of our parish and the Catholic Church, their hard work and generosity is a great example of how our parish is Living Faith, Changing Lives and Making a Difference!
A Day of Reflection
On Saturday, March 30th, almost 50 Social Service Ministries volunteers gathered for a Lenten Day of Reflection. Knowing that they work hard all year long and give so much of their time and talent to SJV and the Social Service Ministries, this event was planned in appreciation for that hard work and generosity of spirit. “I Was Blind and Now I See,” based on the passage of the man born blind (Jn 9:1-41), was an opportunity for the volunteers to take some time with Jesus, as they allowed His words to quieten the mind and soothe their spirits.
Facilitated by Deacon Jeff Willard, who is also the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life here at SJV, the day also provided the volunteers some time to pray, reflect, discuss, meditate upon the Gospel, and re-commit themselves to Jesus and His commission to us all. The day concluded with the volunteers attending Mass together as a group.
Rediscovering the Beauty of God’s Love
Our Parish was blessed to have Fr. William M. Watson S.J. to present this year’s Parish Lenten Mission which was titled “From Creation to Calvary: The Astonishing Beauty of God’s Love for Us.” Fr. Bill crafted this beautiful four part presentation and homily series to remind us of our journey from God who created us and the universe back to be united with God, the source of all creation, beauty and truth. Science and culture have evolved throughout history to move the human person from the center of the universe to the unknown and forgotten periphery. This school of thought which is ultimately a product of original sin, has made us forgetful of our true nature as embodied spirits. The series was concluded by presenting Jesus’s journey from the Annunciation and Incarnation to His Death and Resurrection as the footprint of our own journey toward eternity.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
~ John 1:5
Well known author and retreat master, Fr. William M. Watson, S.J., is founder of the Sacred Story Institute. He has served as Director of Retreat Programs at Georgetown University; Vice-President for Missions at Gonzaga University and Provincial Assistant for International Ministries for the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus.
Thank you to all attendees for your support! And special thanks to Yvonne Gill, Director of Adult Formation and to Fr. Bill for this wonderful opportunity to grow closer to Jesus this Lent!
Welcome Deacon Jeff Willard!
We welcome a new deacon assigned to our parish, Deacon Jeff Willard, Ph.D., LPC. While Jeff’s assignment is new, he is not. Jeff has been on staff since last August when he became the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life for our parish. Until now, Jeff has been assigned to Christ the Redeemer Parish where he was also the Director of Liturgy. A native of Oklahoma, he served as Pastoral Administrator at St. Joseph Parish in Norman, OK. Jeff is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in Marriage and Family Therapy. A convert to the Catholic Faith, he was ordained to the diaconate for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in 1999. Jeff is married to his wife of 34 years, Mary Lynn, and they love living on the Gulf Coast.
Welcome Jeff and Mary Lynn!
Traffic Update
The Dairy Ashford intersection opened back up on Wednesday, March 20.
February 15, 2019
From City of Houston – Public Works Department
Beginning Monday, February 25th, Dairy Ashford Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction in order to complete critical utility work at the intersection with Memorial Drive, and is planned to be completed by Thursday, March 28th.
Future intermittent, short-duration, off-peak lane closures will be necessary to complete minor work in the intersection.
Sing of Salvation Series
Once again Adult Formation and Music ministry collaborated to bring another performance in the Sing of Salvation Series. This year the audience was delighted with a scriptural narrative and selected musical expressions from the renowned rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. By popular demand an encore performance has been scheduled for March 3; be sure to join us!
Adult Formation: Growing in Faith & Fellowship
Bible and History studies also provide an opportunity to get to know fellow SJV parishioners and forge friendships while enriching our faith. Here we share some photos of parishioners sharing some light moments in a Tuesday morning Church History class and three Wednesday evening Bible study groups gathering together for the annual Christmas party.
Texas State Recognition
Today during the 9:30 am Mass, The State of Texas recognized St. John Vianney Parish, Staff and Fr. Troy for the outstanding and very generous work done in and for the community after Hurricane Harvey. Our Parish was presented with two State of Texas Senate and House Proclamations as well a plaque honoring Fr. Troy.
Marian Consecration for Children
Entrusting ourselves to Mary, Mother of God
Congratulation to our students who completed the Marian Consecration for Children program, which culminated beautifully with Mass on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
It was a beautiful 33 day preparation with daily prayer and short meditations that guided parents and children to learn together about Mary’s love for us!
The Youth Formation Office is happy to announce a new program will begin on February 9th and will culminate with Mass and Consecration on March 25, “Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.” Click here to register and learn more. Or contact Carolina Sayago, for more information.
Social Ministry: Christmas Program
As Christmas approaches, the number of people in need of assistance increases. Please help us continue to feed and assist those in need within our parish during this season of hope.
We particularly need: Gift cards (small denominations of $15-20, please), New/gently used winter clothing (particularly jackets, coats and blankets), Gifts for teens, New/gently used winter clothing, caps, socks, & diapers for newborns, Turkeys and hams, Christmas gift bags, ALL SIZES!
You can drop these off any time from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays (preferably by December 14th in time for our Christmas program for children and families) in the Social Service Ministry office.
Food Drive
Please drop off your donations to Food Drive volunteers outside the church before and after each mass on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9.
These are some of the items that we need the most: Holiday foods (cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy mix, dessert mixes, canned pumpkin, etc.), canned meats, fruits and vegetables, milk, infant formula, nutritional shakes for older adults, cooking oil, fruit juice, cereal, sugar, flour, dishwashing and laundry detergent, bath soap, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper and paper sacks.
Please check the expiration or “best by” dates as we cannot distribute expired or opened food.
Back from Eagle Pass
Last week, 18 SJV Parishioners participated in a Service Mission Trip to Eagle Pass, Texas (on the border with Mexico). The team completed a great deal of work. Over the course of five days, they worked on four homes fixing, repairing or replacing just about everything! They replaced rotten roof decking, fascia, soffits, doors, a main circuit breaker box, sheetrock, electric outlets, light fixtures, and windows. They also installed a water heater, sprayed for mold, and repaired kitchen & bathroom drains.
The Mission Team also continues to maintain relationships with the homebound whom we have assisted in the past. Missioners visited several families, brought them nutritious food, and prayed with them. Our team even managed to conduct a Gabriel Project visit and bring much needed baby items to an expectant mom living in one of the homes the team worked at!
We thank and congratulate our Mission Team! Your hard work and generosity of spirit are true examples of what it is to live your faith, change lives and make a difference!
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” ~Matthew 25:40
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