MASS TIMES Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM 11:30 AM & 5:30 PM Weekdays Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 AM Tuesday & Wednesday 6:15 AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Monday & Friday 8:15 AM Tuesday & Wednesday 6:00 AM Saturdays 2:45 PM—3:30 PM All others times by appointment only. BAPTISMS Please call the parish office in the early months of pregnancy. WEDDINGS Contact parish priest at least six months prior to anticipated date of wedding. CARE OF THE SICK Notify the parish office of homebound and hospitalized. PRAYER REQUESTS Contact Mrs. Theresa Himel at 755.3709 or email at sjvprayerline@aol.com

PARISH OFFICE Phone 753.7950 Fax 753.7965 Website www.stjeanvianney.org E-Mail churchinfo@stjeanvianney.org Hours Monday thru Thursday 8:30 AM—6:00 PM Friday 8:30 AM—4:00 PM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE Phone 751. 2926 Hours Monday thru Friday 9:00 AM—4:00 PM SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OFFICE Phone 751. 0502 Hours Monday thru Friday 9:00 AM—4:00 PM SJV PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Phone 751.1831 Hours Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM—4:00 PM PRESCHOOL Phone 752.5356 Hours Monday thru Friday 9:15 AM—2:00 PM

16166 S. Harrell’s Ferry Road

PARISH STAFF Pastor Rev. Tom Ranzino Deacon Rev. Mr. Brent Duplessis Deacon Rev. Mr. Dan Borne Director of Religious Education Mrs. Denise Louviere Religious Education Assistant Mrs. Betty Wright Director of Youth Ministry Mr. Craig Baker Receptionists/Secretaries Ms. Belinda Smith Mrs. Mickie Marchiafava Director of Social Responsibility Mrs. Lori Aucoin Facilities Manager Mr. Terry Blackwell Music Director Mrs. Karen Ullo SJV School Principal Ms. Wendy Gilmore Assistant Principal Mrs. Cherie Robinson Assistant Principal Mrs. Linda Tate Director of Preschool Mrs. Amie Williams Asst. Dir. of Preschool Mrs. Dana Sunseri

LAGNIAPPE Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2011

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Our mission as the Body of Christ in the parish of St. Jean Vianney is to model the love of Jesus by discerning and doing God’s will, consciously Sharing the Word and Eucharist at worship, educating in faith all ages, evangelizing our parishioners for Christ’s mission, and serving justly God’s people, our sisters and brothers within our parish boundaries, our larger Baton Rouge community, and into the world.

In the United States alone, each year more than 1.2 million unborn babies are killed by women undergoing an abortion process. Many of these children could have been saved if the pregnant women had received proper counseling and guidance regarding their options to abortion. “To be Catholic means to be Pro-Life", is a popular sentiment expressed by Bishop J. Peter Sartain, in a March for Life rally in Washington D.C. in 2010. It aptly states that our challenge as Catholics is to hold the position that we believe in the sanctity of human life, and that the process of abortion is a moral violation of that belief. We believe that life begins at conception, and that all life is a precious gift from God. In a Papal address, Pope Benedict XVI stated that "...society as a whole must defend the conceived child's right to life …". We as Catholics must work to protect and defend the “rights of the unborn” through our prayers and actions. In January of 2009, the Knights of Columbus launched a new initiative aimed at providing women considering abortion with a new way of viewing the precious life growing within them. The K of C Supreme Council agreed to match local KC Council funds for the purchase of Ultrasound equipment for medically certified, Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers to assist in providing counseling services to pregnant women who are considering abortion. Ultrasound exams use ultrasound waves to scan a women’s abdomen to create a picture or “sonogram” of the baby in her uterus. Statistically, over 85% of the abortion-minded women who receive counseling and actually view the unborn baby in their abdomen choose to have their baby. The ultrasound image of a living human being makes a strong argument against abortion. Our SJV KC Council is serving as the sponsoring Council in an effort to raise sufficient funds to allow for the purchase of a portable Ultrasound machine to be placed in a specially equipped Mobile Crises Pregnancy Unit van owned by Caring to Love Ministries, a qualified Pregnancy Center. The van will be parked in near proximity to a known abortion clinics and offer counseling and ultrasound procedures to women considering abortion. We, as Catholics, are being challenged to take action to prevent the unnecessary killing of innocent children through the abortion process. This fund raising effort will truly make a difference by saving the lives of many unborn children. Continued inside of bulletin

LIFE TOGETHER Dear Friends, As I mentioned last weekend at mass, the envelope for the Religious Retirement annual collection was incorrectly placed in the envelope packet, and so the collection is THIS weekend. Many religious priests, brothers and sisters have served our diocese. One of the highlights of the recent Diocesan 50th Anniversary was the procession of all the religious who have served in our diocese over 50 years. What gifts they have given to our Church and many still are working in the diocese for the mission of Christ. This annual collection helps with their unfunded liability regarding some of the communities ability to provide for the long term care of their elderly. Please be generous to those who have been so generous to the Church, and thus, to us all. This weekend, I will be talking with you about our parish purchasing with the help of the Knights of Columbus a portable ultrasound machine. We are pairing with a medically certified pro-life Pregnancy Center, Caring Love Ministries, to raise funds to purchase a portable ultrasound machine to equip a mobile van that will offer counseling and Ultrasound procedures to pregnant women considering abortion. The total cost of the portable ultrasound is $25,000. Caring Love Ministries has committed $5,000. SJV Social Responsibility has committed $4,000, leaving a balance of $4,500 to reach the target dollars needed. The SJV KC Council will make an application to the KC Supreme Council for its share of the balance of the total cost of the equipment so the equipment can be purchased and installed. The weekend of December 17th-18th, the 2nd collection at Masses will be dedicated for this purchase. We will use special envelopes in Church. I know its Christmas time and this is another ask from you, but I think it is an im-portant one to consider doing as a parish. Sign up sheets are in church sacristy for the Masses of Christmas Vigil and Christmas Day for Lectors, Ministers of Communion, Altar Servers, and Mass Coordinators. I hope you will take advantage of the opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation being offered in the parish over the next weeks. This coming Tuesday evening, at 7:00pm there will be 7 priests joining me to offer you a Advent Penance Service in Church. Please take this chance as you prepare for Christmas time.

I hope your Advent unfolds in blessing. Love,

CONTINUED FROM COVER On December 10th-11th, Father Tom will speak about the upcoming fund raiser to purchase the Ultra - sound equipment and the mobile van will be on the Church grounds for most Masses. We encourage all parishioners to tour the Mobile Crises Pregnancy Unit van and meet staff from Caring to Love ministries. On December, 17th-18th, the SJV Knights will be distributing literature and donation envelopes to collect money for the purchase of this ultrasound equipment. Please be generous in this important fund raising event. Our Dollars Will Make a Difference and Save Lives!

ANNUAL CHARITABLE DONATION LETTERS

This year the Parish will mail 2011 Charitable Donation letters by request only. If you would like to receive a statement of your 2011 Stewardship to St. Jean Vianney Church, please call the parish office at 753.7950 or email your request to mmarchiafava@stjeanvianney.org. Statements can be emailed or mailed out weekly.

REMINDER

A reminder to parents that the cutoff date for tithing to the church parish is Dec. 30th. Registered members of St. Jean Vianney Parish should pay a minimum of $250 in the calendar year to be identified as a contributor.

From the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 25: “Faithfulness and Responsibility” Patrick Casey has spent his four dec-

ades of public service fighting fires. He began as a ‘boot,’ serving a firehouse his uncle had captained a generation before. Ten years into his career, he was training others. Ten more years, and he was training other departments and their captains. Next year, he’ll retire, having served his city as the most suc-cessful commissioner the department has ever known. At every step up the career ladder, the com-missioner accomplished what others in their fields find true. He was faithful at one task and was given increasingly more advanced responsibility time and again. Each time, he proved faithful and capable. Faithful in the small things, Casey was allowed to be faithful with more responsibility. Jesus’ parable of the servants and their talents illustrated that exact principle. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.’ ” Millions of decent, diligent, hard-working folks are faithful. They take on more and more responsibility, and yet few people will hear their stories. Maybe that’s the case for you. The principle is the same. Be faithful in the small things. God knows.

Parish Stewardship Summary

Fiscal Year to Date July1, 2011 to December 3, 2011

“Double Nickels” Senior Ministry Member: For parishioners 55yrs and older; fellowship, travel, food, friendship,

activities; periodic meetings Sunday afternoons 2:00pm.

The St. Jean Vianney Catholic Preschool has openings in the three year old program for the 2011-2012 school year. Applications may be picked up in the preschool office.

Should you need further information, or if you would like a tour please contact the preschool office at 752.5356.

Goal Amt. Rec’d

Year to date Offertory

549,111.00 546,200.00

Weekly Offertory

34,456.00 36,525.70

Advent-Christmas Season at St. Jean Vianney Church

Parish Deanery Advent Reconciliation Service December 13th 7:00pm Monday Night of Advent Reconciliation December 19th 6:00-7:00pm Third Sunday of Advent Retirement Fund for Religious Collection all Masses

December 10th - 11th

Christmas Eve Vigil The Nativity of Our Lord Masses December 24th 4:00 & 7:00pm Christmas Day Choir Christmas Concert December 24th 11:30pm

The Nativity of Our Lord Masses December 25th Midnight, 8:00 & 10:00am Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Vigil December 31st 4:00pm

New Year’s Day January 1, 2012 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am & 5:30pm Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Solemnity of the Epiphany Vigil January 7th 4:00pm Solemnity of the Epiphany January 8th 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am & 5:30pm Called By Name National Vocations Awareness Week January 9th thru 15th Season of Ordinary Time Begins January 10th

Go to www.stewardshiptoday.org to get your online copy of Stewardship Today, a monthly publication for parishioners to embrace the importance of stewardship in daily living.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of The Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707- 712

Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Is 54:1-10; Lk 7:24-30 Friday: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8; Jn 5:33-36 Saturday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Mt 1:1-17 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

HOMEBOUND If you are homebound or know of anyone who is, and would like to receive communion each week, we ask that you please call the parish office at 753.7950.

REMEMBER ST. JEAN VIANNEY PARISH IN YOUR WILL

If this parish has meaning to you and your family, then please consider remembering St. Jean Vianney Parish in your will. Call Fr. Tom for information. (753.7950)

Religious Education News Religious Education Notes: Confirmation Candidates: Required paper work for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is past due. Please make an effort to get these necessary papers turned in to the parish office now. Thank You. Elem. – Jr. High Class Schedule: Remaining class for the first semester is as follows: Dec. 12th.

A REFLECTION ON THIS WEEK’S A SIMPLER CHRISTMAS Forget the “ideal” Christmas: put the emphasis on Jesus. Drop any Christmas activity you hate. Dread sending Christmas cards? Go to catholicgreetings.org or a similar site and send e- cards with a few mouse clicks. Hosting Christmas dinner? Have family pitch in

and ask guests to bring something. Don’t spend what you don’t have. Set a dollar

limit and stick to it. Consider a family gift exchange, a donation to

charity, gifts under a giving tree. Give coupons for time and talent gifts. Buy faith-related gifts at your parish bookstore.

Create your own traditions: a Christmas nativity scene, Christmas candles, Midnight Mass, read the Christmas stories, serve dinner in a shelter.

Don’t expect anyone to behave in certain ways or to give you the right gifts.

Don’t do anything to excess: gift-giving, partying, drinking, eating.

Don’t fight with family, especially over who goes to church.

Copyright © 2011, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. “Lord, this week help me to……….”

2012 - 25th & 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration on March 4, 2012 at 3:00pm. Bishop Robert Muench will celebrate a liturgy at Sacred Heart Church

honoring couples on their 25th, 50th and 65th or longer wedding anniversary. The families of the honored couples are also invited to attend the liturgy and reception afterward in the Sacred Heart Gym. Couples contact your parish office for the registration form. Deadline for registration is Monday, February 1, 2012.

Will meet December 24th at 3:00 PM for a bell choir rehearsal at the church. Children in 1st grade and up are invited to play. The Christmas concert is at 3:30 PM.

ADORATION

Join Deacon Brent Duplessis every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm for Eucharistic Adoration. Taking special time with our Lord is a great way to grow closer to Him.

Monday, Monday 12 Bulletin Articles due for Dec. 24th & 25th 6:00pm Elem/Jr. Religious Ed. Tuesday, December 13 7:00pm Advent Penance Service Wednesday, December 14 Bulletin Articles due for December 31st & January 1st 7:00pm RCIA 7:00pm Choir

Thursday, December 15 6:30pm Pack Meeting Friday, December 16 10:30am SJV School Grandparents & Grandfriends day Saturday, December 17 4th Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 18 4th Sunday of Advent 9:30am Children’s Church Monday, December 19 Preschool and School Out

SJV CALENDAR

Monday, December 12 8:30am Tuesday, December 13 6:15am Edward Wartelle Wednesday, December 14 6:15am Claire Goudeau Molly Langlois 8:30am All Souls Thursday, December 15 6:15am Communion Service Friday, December 16 8:30am Mae Kaiser Jean Lasard

Emile Jacquin All Souls Saturday, December 17 4:00pm Edward Wartelle Ruth Allen Sunday, December 18 7:30am For Parishioners of SJV 9:30am James & Veronica Heap 11:30am Sidney James Bliss 5:30pm Narcille Thibodeaux

MASS INTENTIONS

SANCTUARY LAMP (12/12–18/11) Jean Lassard

AUTOMATIC BANK DRAFT Automatic Bank Draft is available as an option for your weekly or monthly tithing and building fund contribution. Please call 753.7950, or come by the parish office for more information.