Dear Friends,
Celebration of the third anniversary of the dedication of our beautiful sanctuary with Bishop John Noonan was a great blessing. Thank you for your enthusiastic participation. It is always good to remember the kindness of our God and give him due honor and praise, for it is “right and just!” In three short years, we have accomplished much, thanks to your unwavering support and continued generosity.
Last Sunday, we also celebrated the Sunday of the Word (Bible Sunday), and I invited all in the SJE family to join “The Bible in a Year” podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz, also featuring Jeff Cavins. Simply click on the link located on our website, www.stjohnviera.org, and scroll to the START HERE: Introduction to the Early World or Day 1: In the Beginning to begin listening. Each segment is approximately 20-25 minutes in length, and you can do it individually or make it part of your family’s evening prayer. All who participate to completion will receive a certificate at the end of the year. What a blessing this will be for our parish family.
I take this occasion to congratulate the Do family on receiving the Family of the Month Award for January 2021. Long and Teresa and their sons, Tim and Thomas, have been members of our parish since 2011, actively involved in the choir, as Altar Servers, and with the Rosary Making Ministry, to name a few.
I would also like to thank Beth Lowry, our bookkeeper, for her service to the parish from September 10, 2018 to January 27, 2021. She has accepted a new position with another organization. Beth was well-versed in her area of expertise and actively involved in many parish activities. I wish her God’s abundant blessings in all future endeavors.
On this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Scripture invites us to listen attentively to the words of our Master as he begins his preaching and healing ministry. Having gathered his disciples, he now embarks on his mission to reveal the Kingdom of God. As Mark pointed out in last week’s Gospel passage, Jesus proclaimed, “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Be Blessed!
With love, Fr. John
“Ecclesia de Eucharistia”
I congratulate all who have accomplished something truly significant by following along with the weekly reading of the monumental encyclical by Pope St. John Paul II, “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” (The Church draws her life from the Eucharist). In this letter, he invites us to delve deep into the rich mystery of the Eucharist and the indispensable gift it has been to the Church for the last 2000 years. This encyclical is replete with beautiful and awe-inspiring quotes worthy of our familiarity. Several of them are listed below. Please read and pray and continue to relish the gift of the Eucharist.
“The Eucharist, as Christ’s saving presence in the community of the faithful and its spiritual food, is the most precious possession which the Church can have in her journey through history.”
Pope St. John Paul II
“For the most holy Eucharist contains the Church’s entire spiritual wealth: Christ himself, our Passover and living bread. Through his own flesh, now made living and life-giving by the Holy Spirit, he offers life to men.”
Second Vatican Council
“What more could Jesus have done for us? Truly, in the Eucharist, he shows us a love which goes “to the end” (Jn13:1), a love which knows no measure.”
St. Pope John Paul II