MASS TIMES Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM 11:30 AM & 5:30 PM Weekdays Monday & Wednesday, 8:30 AM Friday 8:00 AM Tuesday & Wednesday 6:15 AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Monday & Wednesday 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 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816

PARISH STAFF Pastor Rev. Tom Ranzino Deacon Rev. Mr. Brent Duplessis Deacon Rev. Mr. Dan Borne Deacon Rev. Mr. Jeff Easley 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 Ms. Theresa Cannon Director of Preschool Mrs. Amie Williams Asst. Dir. of Preschool Mrs. Dana Sunseri

LAGNIAPPE Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2013

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.

THE TWO

FACES OF AVENT

This week creates the break in Advent revealing Advent’s two-fold purpose. From the First Sunday of Advent until December 17th, the first aspect of Advent is highlighted in the Scrip-

ture readings on Sundays and weekdays, as well as in the prayers used during Mass. That focus is on the final coming of Jesus Christ at the end of time. This is a long range view, considering that a sense of the “end time” is highly personal: i.e., each of us will experience this end time when we transition from this life to the next. The “end time” is also universal as our awareness of how things (grow/decline/disappear) show up in all created things. Nothing is permanent, no matter how hard the granite or how big the wheel. We re-discover our being a creature, simply human. Phase two of Advent begins December 17th each year with Scripture readings and Mass texts that begin to focus on stories of miraculous births, leading up to the great news of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. These final days of Advent bring us to know our being creatures again, this time from the perspective of the One who is to be born who will share our human nature, Jesus Christ. The Lord is coming to us; yet, there is a necessity of our coming to the Lord, and being receptive of him. This can only happen if we are ready and prepared.

LIFE TOGETHER Dear Friends, The Advent season is moving forward, perhaps with a sense of greater quickness. Time is being counted down: by children waiting for Santa to come; by store owners wondering how many shopping days are left; by folks wondering how many days to shop are left; by the Church, holding on to God’s pledge to be near. While being “wrapped up” is a common phrase at this time of year, don’t allow yourself to be too “wrapped up” in the things that are passing. Pace these days so that you don’t lose yourself in too many things. Monday Nights of Advent continue with Confessions from 6:00-7:00pm in Church. Thanks so much to all who gave to the Giving Tree. It amazes me that every year all of the ornaments are taken-so that is many hundreds of gifts being given away to folks who would not be remembered except by our parish. Thank you for your unfailing generosity. I’m happy to tell you that as of this date we have $2.,428,981.87 million in pledges and $1,024,711.84 million in cash on hand toward our Capital Campaign and the building of the Covered Walk Way and Drop off and Gymnasium. The Business Division meets this week and the Growing Tree is available in Church as well. Your support through your prayer and financial pledge makes this effort successful for us all. I know the Choir is hard at work for the Christmas concert, 11:30pm in Church, Christmas Eve. These folks and others [people who prepare the Church Environment, who bring Holy Communion to the sick at home, hospitals and nursing homes, who will serve as Altar Servers, Lectors, Ministers of Holy Communion---all who will work at Christmas for us and for the Lord] merit our thanks and prayers. On the brochure rack in Church are copies of The Final Journey: Information from the Catholic Bishops of Louisiana on End of Life Decisions. Also, there are new copies of “What to do When A Catholic Dies”, which offers step by step information in order to plan a Catholic funeral. I hope these Advent days continue to unfold as a blessing for you and yours. Love,

Religious Education Request Would you like to share your knowledge of the sacraments with 5th grade students on Monday evenings? We are in need of a teacher for the second semester, beginning Jan. 13th from 6 – 7:00 pm on Monday evenings. There will only be a total of 10 classes left for the current school year – can you make that commitment to share your faith? Jesus assures us that those who follow Him in the ministry of teaching the Good News will receive rewards both in this life and in eternal life! Call Denise or Betty for further information at 751.2926.

2013 - 25th & 50th and 65th Wedding Anniversary Celebration on February 23, 2014 at 3:00pm. Bishop Robert Muench will celebrate a liturgy at Our Lady of Mercy

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 Our Lady of Mercy Parish Activity Center. Couples contact your parish office for the registration form. Deadline for registration is Friday, February 14, 2014.

St. Jean Vianney School’s Grandparents & Grandfriends Day

Friday, December 20, 2013 9:30am in the church

Join your grandchild(ren) for Christmas caroling in the church; 10:00am – Visit your grandchild(ren)’s class, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies in Fr. Engels Hall or courtyard, and if you wish, have your picture taken in either the library or Fr. Engels Hall. Coffee available in the Hall from 8:00 to 9:30 am.

Tell of what you hear and see: The blind regain their vision, the crippled their movement, the deaf their hearing (Matthew 11:2-11).

Parish Stewardship Summary Fiscal Year to Date

July 1, 2013–December 8, 2013

Special Collections November: All Saint’s Day $2,329.00 Capital Campaign for Human Development $2,074.50 Philippines Disaster Aid $6,112.00 Nicaragua Mission $3,926.00 Capital Campaign $49,346.66

High School Youth Ministry Adult Helper: Catholic centered Youth Ministry; assist in emotional, spiritual, social and educational formation of youth; [Most Sunday evenings after 5:30pm Mass. Check parish online calendar for specific dates.

Formation offered.]

Goal Amt. Rec’d

Year to date Offertory

616,087.00 556,878.00

Weekly Offertory

31,296.00 18,757.42

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.

Advent-Christmas Season at St. Jean Vianney Church

Parish Deanery Advent Reconciliation Services Most Blessed Sacrament Church December 17th 7:00pm St. Aloysius Church December 19th 7:00pm Monday Nights of Advent Reconciliation St. Jean Vianney Church December 16th & 23rd 6:00-7:00pm The Light is on For You Reconciliation December 18th 6:00-7:30pm Our Lady of Mercy, Immaculate Conception, & St. George

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 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph December 28th & 29th

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Vigil December 31st 4:00pm Solemnity of Mary Mother of God January 1, 2013 7:30 & 9:30am Solemnity of the Epiphany Vigil January 4th 4:00pm Solemnity of the Epiphany January 5th 7:30 & 9:30, 11:30am & 5:30pm The Baptism of the Lord January 11th & 12th Season of Ordinary Time Begins Monday, January 13th 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. (Children will sit with their parents during Mass.)

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9; Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Wednesday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Thursday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Friday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Saturday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Sunday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

50th Anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

Liturgical Reform and the Renewal of the Church Sacrosanctum Concilium was the first text to be promulgated at the Second Vatican Council. In setting out a broad agenda, its opening paragraph stated:

This Sacred Council has several aims in view: it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions that are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church. The Council therefore sees particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the liturgy. (no. 1)

We want to underscore that the reforms in the Liturgy, which were the result of the Council's deliberations and decisions, are for nothing less than the increased spiritual vigor and ongoing renewal of the Church. It was judged that the visible rites of the Church had to undergo reform for the sake of interior renewal of the faithful. At the Extraordinary Synod on the twentieth anniversary of Vatican II in 1985, and ever since, a key term surfaced for interpreting both the documents of Vatican II and the nature of the Church: communio. This is fittingly applied also to the Sacred Liturgy, which builds up and expresses the Church. Used in a variety of ways and contexts in subsequent Church documents, the term communio often refers to the relationship of the baptized as incorporated into the Trinity of persons who is the one true God. This is what constitutes the Church: that we are rooted in the very life of our Trinitarian God, experiencing most profoundly in the celebration of the Eucharist the reality of being "many parts, yet one body" (1 Cor. 12:20). Liturgy is always the public prayer of the Church, aptly called "the pilgrim Church on earth" (Eucharistic Prayer III). It has always been an ideal that the Church become who she is through the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. St. Augustine admonishes his listeners: "[I]t is your sacrament that you receive. To that which you are you respond 'Amen' ('yes, it is true!') and by responding to it you assent to it" (Sermon 272, On Pentecost, PL 38, 1247). Thus it is that the Church prays, "[G]rant that we, who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son, and

filled with his Holy Spirit, may become one body, one spirit in Christ" (Eucharistic Prayer III). As we give thanks for the great work of reform of the Liturgy and renewal of the Church that has borne such abundant fruits, we must also continually strive to deepen this renewal that was begun under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. This ongoing renewal is the pilgrim journey of the Church toward the "holy city Jerusalem" (Rev. 21:10). Liturgy is the privileged time and place when our words and deeds cede to communion, ultimately leading to final (comm)union when we see God face to face. In other words, the Church's Liturgy is always oriented toward the heavenly Liturgy. In the meantime, our communal engagement and incorporation into Christ's Paschal Mystery must always lead to our witnessing to the world what we have celebrated and what we hope for. This Prayer after Communion in Easter Time expresses well our communion with "God-with-us" and our pilgrim journey to his heavenly Kingdom:

Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life.

SAVE THE DATE

Christ Renews His Parish Women’s Retreat

March 15-16, 2014

Monday, December 16 Bulletin Articles due for Jan. 4/5 6:00pm Elem./Jr. Rel. Ed. 6:00pm Confessions Tuesday, December 17 7:00pm CRHP Women 7:00pm Adoration Wednesday, December 18 6:00pm Brass Rehearsal 7:00pm RCIA 7:00pm Choir Thursday, December 19 Preschool Out 6:30pm Bible Study 6:30pm KC Mtg.

7:00pm Pack 490 Friday, December 20 Preschool Out Saturday, December 21 4th Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 22 4th Sunday of Advent Baptism Weekend 9:30am Children’s Church 6:45pm High School Rel. Ed. Monday, December 23 School and Preschool Out 6:00pm Confessions

SJV CALENDAR

Monday, December 16 8:30am Darrell Ledoux Tuesday, December 17 6:15am Souls in Purgatory Wednesday, December 18 6:15am Molly Langlois 8:30am Thursday, December 19 6:15am Communion Service Friday, December 20 8:00am Dale LaBauve Emile Jacquin

Saturday, December 21 4:00pm Elizone & Eustice Ducote Ray Budwine Emile Noto Ron Henzen Ly Johnston Sunday, December 22 7:30am For Parishioners of SJV 9:30am Rose & Kathy Attardo 11:30am 5:30pm Nathan Thibodeaux

MASS INTENTIONS

SANCTUARY LAMP (12/16-22/13)

Brock Grace

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)

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