We are pleased to announce the successful launch of the Family Faith Formation program at St. John Vianney in September. Many families enjoyed a meal with other parishioners and afterwards children attended age appropriate sessions and parents had their own presentation. We concluded together with prayer and petitions.
The next Family Faith Formation opportunity will be on Wednesday, November 30 from 6:00-7:55pm OR on Sunday, December 4 from 9:00-10:55am. Your family must RSVP for this special event. No regular CF classes are held during this time.
No classes on Wednesday, October 26th. Enjoy the week off!
Christian Formation Classes
CLASSROOM REMINDERS -Please make sure you are on time dropping off and picking up your child since we only have 75 minutes together. We ask that they have something to eat before class, a snack on Wednesdays or breakfast on Sundays, so they are not hungry and can stay focused. Please make sure they use the bathroom before entering their classroom. If one child needs to go, the whole class wants to go. Please also check the folders each week for any homework or correspondence your child may receive. We appreciate your help and cooperation as we all want to use our time wisely.
ATTENDANCE POLICY and CONTACT INFORMATION - We ask that students attend all classes unless they are sick or there is a family emergency. All absences MUST be excused by emailing Suzette Hildebrand at suzetteh@stjohnv.org or calling the Christian Formation secretary at 262-796-3944. Please leave your child's full name, please spell your last name, grade level, and reason for the absence, so we can alert the catechist of the absence.
PEANUT-FREE ZONE - Child Ministry is a nut-free environment as we have many allergies with potentially severe reactions. Please watch ingredients and do not add nuts to any baked goods. Thank you for being careful with the snacks your child brings to share.
Sacramental Preparation
At St. John Vianney, children in second grade receive both First Reconciliation and First Communion. Parents of children who wish to receive these sacraments this year are asked to attend a parent/child meeting on Wednesday, October 5th at 5:00-6:15pm OR Sunday, October 9th at 9:30-10:45am in the Presentation Hall. Children will have their own session during this time in the Church Hall. A separate email was sent to all families with information on registration, parent meetings, and upcoming events. Click here for the First Reconciliation calendar 2016-17.
Upcoming Events
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS - We will celebrate the feast day of Saint Francis with an animal blessing on Monday, October 3rd at 6:00pm. We will meet underneath the Church canopy and bless all living creatures. Come and join us for a wonderful experience the whole family will enjoy.
TINY TOT TIME -
Join us on Tuesday, October 18th at 10:00am in the Church Hall. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, please bring your little ones for an hour of story time, activities, and snack. This month will learn that God Gives Us Colors. Feel free to drop in or call to let us know you are coming.
Adult Formation
A COMMUNITY OF CATHOLICS -
Enjoy a three-part series on Bread for Life of the World: Justice and the Eucharist with Dr. David Stosur at our neighboring parishes in October. Click here for dates and topics.
BUILDING FAITHFUL FAMILIES -
Parenting can be hard, but there is help. Join us for the first of three presentations hosted this year at Mount Mary University. Dr. Tim Elmore will speak on Mistakes Parents Can Avoid on Wednesday, October 19 from 7:00-9:00pm. Click here for more details.
FORMING THE CATECHETICAL SPIRIT -
The ideal opportunity to learn more about the Catholic Church and become comfortable sharing your Catholic faith? This parish-based program designed for those who serve the Church as parish catechists and for parents who would like to be more involved. The first session was held in September but you can still register. Click here for dates and topics.
School News
SOLES FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION WALK -
Come walk with the SJV community on Saturday, October 15 at 10:00am at Mount Mary University to celebrate Catholic Education. Click here to join the SJV Team!
Meet the Saints
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Francis was born in 1181 to the son of a rich merchant. He became a soldier to find adventure and glory and when he was 20, he was captured and became ill in prison. This gave him lots of time to think and he learned that God wanted him to live in a new way. When he was freed, Francis gave all his things back to his father and began to beg for what he needed. At the same time, Francis saw God's love everywhere and sang about the beauty of the sun, moon, trees, flowers, rivers and oceans. He believed the animals were like our brothers and sisters and that we are all part of God's big family. The story is told that once a big wolf attacked people near the village of Gubbio, Italy and the people were terrified. Francis went to find the wolf and make peace with him and the villagers fed and cared for the peaceful wolf until he died.
Francis can also be credited with the Christmas Crèche. In 1223, in a mountain region in Italy, Francis and some friends performed the first live nativity display based on the description found in Luke 2. Francis insisted the reenactment be exactly like the night when Jesus was born, with only Mary, Joseph, a few animals, but no wise men. The people who crowded into the cave for that first performance were so impressed that every year they wanted to see it again and the idea spread to other Italian towns and cities. Later, a craftsman made a miniature version of the manger scene, and the tradition spread all around Europe and eventually to America.
Francis died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44, in Assisi, Italy. He was canonized as a saint just two years after his death by his former protector, Pope Gregory IX. St. Francis is the patron saint for ecologists, a title honoring his boundless love for animals and nature. He was also the inspiration for Pope Francis who took the name of the man of poverty, the man of peace, and the man who loves and protects creation. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
God's Autumn Blessings to you and your family!
In Christ's Peace,
Director of Child Ministry
Celebrate Respect Life Month
St. John Vianney along with St Dominic, St. Theresa in Eagle, St. James in Menomonee Falls, St. James Mukwonago Parishes and Life's Connection
are sponsoring the showing of a very powerful movie you will not want to miss. Please view the trailer and reserve your seats www.voicelessthemovie.com
One showing only on Sunday, October 9th at 2pm at the Ridge Cinema on
Moorland Rd in New Berlin.
Contact the Parish Office for your tickets $8.50/ticket.
This movie is a story about a discharged soldier who through his wife finds God and is able to open an outreach for the community. Across the street is an abortion clinic and it is a new war that this soldier finds himself in.
This film encourages people to stand up for what they know is right, particularly as it pertains to taking God's truths into society to address social issues. It addresses the spirit of retreat as it pertains to engaging the culture that has developed within the Church.
St. John Vianney - Christian Formation - sjvcf@stjohnv.org
1755 N. Calhoun Rd. - Brookfield, WI 53005 - 262-796-3944
