What summer it's been so far! We just wrapped up our SJV Summer Camp and we owe tremendous thank you to the many counselors and leaders who helped the boys and girls of St. John Vianney parish grow in love of Jesus and their neighbor, learn more about our Catholic Faith, make new friends, and have a lot of fun! I went to their Camp Talent Show on Friday night and it was really beautiful to see(and hear!) the joy of the Holy Spirit in these, our youngest, parishioners.

Deacon Bill Booth celebrated his first baptisms a couple weeks ago and we want to wish him and his wife Patsy congratulations and thank you! If you have not been to a baptism recently, think about coming to one of the many we regularly celebrate at SJV. Over the coming month we're organizing the 2023-24 parish calendar and are reserving lots of space for the big number of baptisms and weddings we know are coming. As we remember, Baptism cleanses us of original sin and imbues us with holy, heavenly life (a.k.a. Grace). It's the "gateway' to all other sacraments. St. Paul tells us in Romans 6:3-5 "we have been buried with Jesus by baptism into death...so we too might walk in newness of life."

It is in this awesome sacrament that we are incorporated into the Body of Christ (many and diverse parts that we are!) This means that we become a full member of the Catholic Church at baptism. So all the little ones (and not so little) who have been recently baptized are our newest parishioners and brothers and sisters in Christ. Let's make sure they have a holy and welcoming community to grow up in and always give them a good example, "bearing witness to the faith by what [we] say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rite of Baptism)

If you are interested in baptism as a young person 7-17 years old or an adult 18 and older stay tuned for information on entering the Order of Christian Initiation for Children and Adults. If you have a child or know someone with a child who can be baptized, call us! We are ready and really happy to help. Mention this bulletin column and get half-off...(just kidding, it's all free!)

Welcome to our Holy Cross seminarians Chris and Ben who are living with us in our rectory community this summer. Chris Mulholland, C.S.C. (keep reading the bulletin for his introduction) is from the great state of Kansas and is really excited to be here and get to know SJV. He'll have an opportunity to shadow Fr. Andrew, Fr. Tom and me in our sacramental and pastoral work, meet with the youth and young adult groups, and participate in the different SJV prayer groups and sacramental prep classes. As well, he will serve at Andre House of Hospitality one day week and offer reflections on the days Sacred Scripture readings at Mass on Fridays. Ben Sasin, C.S.C. will be serving full time at Andre House and assisting Fr. Brian while in Arizona but I am sure you'll see him some evenings and Sundays at the parish. We're very glad to have Chris and Ben here at St. John Vianney!

God bless you and your families this week. Hopefully you stay cool and hydrated. Most importantly, stay holy. Keep in mind that the family that prays together stays together!

Fr. David Halm, C.S.C.
Pastor

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