This Friday, August 4th we celebrate the feast day of our beloved patron, Saint John Mary Vianney. He is often referred to as the “Curé d’Ars”, which was his title as the parish pastor in Ars, France. He was famous, even during his earthly life, for holiness and priestly zeal. Ars itself was a tiny village (only about 230 souls) but by the end of his time there thousands of people came from all over France to go to confession with the Curé and attend the Masses he offered. He arrived in Ars at a time when the Church had been suffering the violent persecution and terror of the French Revolution for over 30 years. An entire generation had been deprived of catechesis and were apathetic in faith and religious practice. Yet, rather than give into despair this only drove Father Vianney’s zeal to win souls for Christ! We parish priests look to him as a special patron and pray to be like him.

Our St. John Vianney Parish was formed in 1956 (when we were still in the Diocese of Tucson!) and given the Curé d’Ars as a patron saint. Ever since, and with amazing growth, we have been praying through his intercession for holiness, protection, and blessing over all our 7,139 families!

To celebrate the Curé on his day - and as one big SJV family - we are going to have a special Mass - in English and Spanish - at 7:00pm followed by a potluck-picnic. Since it will probably be 120° (and a lot more with all the hot air I give off preaching!) we will have Mass in the Church and the picnic in the Centro Santa Cruz gym-complex. Please consider bringing something fun to eat and share - you can put them in the CSC kitchen (and fridge as necessary) before Mass. Just be sure to put your name on any containers/dishes so they don’t get lost…

Our young adults and families will be hosting The Well, (a traveling monthly Eucharistic Praise & Worship experience) at SJV the same night, in the Grand Hall, beginning at 7:30pm. Consider sticking around and keeping the celebration going!

Our friends at the Aid to Women Center are so grateful to the parishioners at SJV who donated during the Baby Bottle Drive… more than $17,000!!! Every penny goes to help the families (especially moms and their pre-born babies) who visit the ATWC with questions, seeking friendship and counseling, medical care and baby clothes (and diapers!) It’s hard to put into words what a difference your friendship and care makes: but it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s a matter of life and death. God bless you and let’s keep praying for everyone at the Aid to Women Center.

To everyone who completed their “homework” last week and read the Letter to the Romans, excellent job! You noted in 8:31 that St. Paul writes “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We really need to remember that every morning. God is indeed for us, He loves us, He saved us - in Jesus! Take a few minutes this week to talk about this as a family. We know that the family that prays together, stays together!

Fr. David Halm, C.S.C.

Pastor

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