St. John Vianney Catholic Church

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jul 8, 2021 In Developing News, Sunday Reflections

Between the last line of last week’s Gospel and the first of this week’s, but not included in either proclamation within Mass, is the passage: “And he went about among the villages teaching.” The comment provides a transition from the rejection by Jesus’ family and hometown (last week) to a preaching tour of the surrounding area (this week). This is the first stage of Jesus passing on his power and mission to the Church. The use of the word “summoned”, in the opening line of this week’s Gospel, recalls the initial “calling” of the Twelve. The commissioning, of which we hear...

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jul 1, 2021 In Developing News, Sunday Reflections

In this Sunday’s Gospel we hear of Jesus returning to his hometown. He arrives accompanied by his disciples that is, he comes as a Rabbi. It was the custom of Rabbis to move about the country accompanied by their circle of disciples, and so it was as a teacher, with his disciples, that Jesus arrived in Nazareth. When he teaches in the synagogue Jesus is greeted not with wonder but with contempt. “And they took offense at him.” Familiarity had bred contempt. “Is he not the carpenter?” Yes, Jesus was a working man. A man of the people. For us that...

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jun 18, 2021 In Developing News, Sunday Reflections

In this Sunday’s Gospel proclamation Jesus tells the disciples to “cross to the other side.” During Ordinary Time we journey with Jesus, crossing from where we are to where he leads. Saints and mystics have described the difficulties of the spiritual life using metaphors such as “a rocky road”, “an arid desert”, and “dark night of the soul”. These, and the image of “storm”, mentioned in the First Reading and Gospel, remind us that even steadfast faith will not spare us from difficulty and challenges in following Jesus. Be anchored in his Word! Click here for this Sunday's Liturgy of the Word Yvonne GillDirector...

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jun 11, 2021 In Developing News, Sunday Reflections

This Sunday we return to Ordinary Time and, as we are in Cycle B, most often our Gospel proclamations will be drawn from Mark. In the chapter we hear from, chapter 4, there are two parables of seeds; both are about the Kingdom but the metaphors are decidedly mixed. The parable of the mustard seed, proclaimed this Sunday, is unique to Mark; it is not found in any of the other Gospels. It encourages us to persevere in sharing Christ with others even when we do not see results. The kingdom of God does not always grow the way we think it...

Sunday Commentary | Corpus Christi

Jun 3, 2021 In Developing News

This Sunday is the last solemn celebration in the wake of Easter. Not that we are still in the Easter season- it ended on Pentecost but this Sunday, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus, is the capstone of all the liturgical celebrations since Holy Week. If the Ascension were the end of the story we would have only memories. Pentecost told us otherwise; Jesus is staying with us as he promised. Today’s Solemnity reminds us and celebrates that he does indeed remain with us and in a radical manner: our Lord’s Body becomes one with ours in the...

Sunday Commentary | The Most Holy Trinity

May 27, 2021 In Developing News

It is fitting that on the Sunday following Pentecost (last Sunday)- the sending of the Holy Spirit - that we have the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (this Sunday). It honors not an event but a truth revealed by Jesus. It is the most important truth of all. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. …It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the ‘hierarchy of the truths of faith.’…it is the mystery of God in himself.” (CCC 234) From its...

Sunday Commentary | Pentecost

May 21, 2021 In Developing News

This Sunday the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year and that which concludes the Easter season. The timing of this feast is where the devotion of praying a Novena - nine days of prayer -derives. The word “novena” comes from the Latin for “nine; ” (novem/noveni). After Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the Apostles, the Blessed Virgin, and some of Christ’s other followers all “joined in continuous prayer” (Acts 1:14) until the dramatic coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. We know it was nine days, because the Ascension happened forty days after the Resurrection...

New Auxiliary Bishop

May 20, 2021 In Developing News, SJV News

Father Italo Dell’Oro, C.R.S., was named Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston by Pope Francis on May 18. Bishop-elect Dell’Oro has served as a priest for almost 40 years, 30 of those in the local Archdiocese. Since 2015, he has served as Vicar for Clergy and the Secretariat Director for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services. He was named Vicar General in 2021....

The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Jan 1, 2021 In Developing News

Download Printable PDF Version Sometimes the years seem to hurtle by. There are days when we may wonder: How do I let it all get away so fast? How can I hold on to it better? How can I see the sacredness of each day better? To some degree the numbering of years helps and, like birthdays and the change of seasons, the marking of a New Year invites us to remembrance and recollection. The celebration on January 1, of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, who “treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart,” starts our new year. The...

Te Deum

Dec 31, 2020 In Developing News

“You are God; we praise you. You are the Lord; we acclaim you. You are the eternal Father; all creation worships you.” December 31 is a day of thanksgiving for the blessings of the Old Year that is passing (yes, we can find bless-ings; perhaps “mixed blessing”). Traditionally the Te Deum is sung in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on this day (formerly it was sung at the Church of the Gesù)....

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