Last week I heard a priest describing the different names of love used in ancient Greece. The Greeks had 8 or 9 dif­ferent terms for love. He mentioned that our culture has lost sight of Christian love by only having one term. The word used in the Bible for Christian love is AGAPE. He went on to define agape as sacrificial love, a love so strong you are willing to sacrifice for another. This is the love that Christ teaches us. Christ sacrificed his own life for us.
Spouses know that they must each sacrifice for the other for a marriage to flourish. Parents know that they must put aside and sacrifice in order to provide for their children. Priests, religious and many in public service sacrifice their private lives for the sake of others.
As stewards we are called to sacrificial love as well. When we give of ourselves, our talents, our time and our treasure, we are called to share sacrificially. We are called to give our first and best to God and to give of ourselves for others as Christ gave for us. As we learn to love sacrifi­cially we are truly living an Attitude of Gratitude.

For more information on these and other parish events, please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
·         Welcome Back, Fr. Edwin! Fr. Edwin returns and celebrates Masses this weekend and will be back in the office on Tuesday, Feb. 1.
·         Calling all Married Couples! - If you are celebrating a milestone anniversary (of your sacramental marriage) this year - 5, 10, 15....50, 60+ years of marriage this year - let us know!  We'd like to recognize and congratulate you on World Marriage Sunday, February 13, 2010.  Please stop by the table in the narthex this weekend and provide your anniversary information.
·         Together in God’s Image, a 4-session marriage preparation course will be held in St. Monica Hall at 7 pm on the 4 Saturdays of February, 2011. This course is one of the mandatory requirements for anyone desiring the Sacrament of Matrimony in the diocese of Austin. For registration and more information, please contact the parish office at 512-218-1183.
·         Is God calling you to be a deacon? Men who are interested in learning more about becoming a permanent deacon are invited to one of the following informational sessions: Jan. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Burnet, Jan. 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at San Jose Parish in Austin, Jan. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Mary Parish in Caldwell, Feb. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Helen Parish in Georgetown and Feb. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Luke Parish in Temple. For more information, contact Deacon Tom Johnson (512-949-2418 or tom-johnson@austindiocese.org), Deacon Gene (dcngene@sjvroundrock.org), or Deacon Frank (dcnfrank@sjvroundrock.org).
·          “Men—there’s still time to join the more than four dozen men registered for That Man is You! modeled on some of the country’s leading men’s programs, That Man Is You! combines Scripture, solid secular research and a little fun to address the pressures and temptations facing men in our modern culture. An added bonus this spring will be a Lenten Journey of daily reflection and activities to prepare ourselves for the joys of Easter. The program starts this Tuesday morning, February 1 at 5:45 am in St. Monica’s Hall.   You can register at the door.  Please see the bulletin for more information.
·         Super Bowl Sunday – it’s not here, yet, but the SJV Knights of Columbus are taking orders this weekend for their famous super bowl chickens ($8 per chicken). Look for a Knight after each Mass this weekend! Proceeds benefit the seminarians from our parish and the Diocese of Austin.
·         2010 contribution statements are being sent via e-mail. If you do not receive a statement before Jan. 31, please contact the office with your e-mail address. You may also access your own contribution information in churchdb. Instructions are below:
·         How to access your information in churchdb:
1. Go to the St. John Vianney website http://www.sjvroundrock.org/
Click on ChurchDB on top left
Type in Username and Password
Click Login
(If you don’t know your Username and Password click on the Click Here button next to “Retrieve User ID or Password”. 
Type in your Email address (the one you gave to the SJV office) and your First Name.
Your Username and Password will be emailed to you.)
Once you have logged in, use the drop box on the left (if needed) to select Church Member: St. John Vianney Parish, Round Rock     
Click Proceed
A pop up box may appear, click YES
You are officially in the ChurchDB website!
2. On the left you will see Stewardship, click on it. Click on Treasure from the menu across the top. Click on details for 2010 and then Print Details Report.

   In today's Gospel we hear Jesus say, "Come after me and I will make you fishers of men."  And the response was, "At once they left their nets and followed him."
   The response of the Apostles was to follow first, knowing that they would be expected to do something later.  For the first three years after the call, the Apostles followed Him and learned from Him.  But, once He was gone, it was their trun to become "fishers of men."
   This pattern shows how our faith journey is to unfold.  First, we must hear His call.  Then, we must choose to follow.  Next, we learn our faith.  Finally, by living our faith, we call others to Christ.
   Stewardship is all about living our faith in a manner that calls others to Christ.  Through the joyful giving of time, talent, and treasure we show others what it means to follow Christ.  By demonstrating our Attitude of Gratitude, we become "fishers of men."

For more information on these and other parish events, please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).

·         Third Friday Adoration continues. Eucharistic Adoration is from 9 am on Friday (1/21) until 9 am on Saturday (1/22). The consistent belief of the Church is that Christ is present in the Eucharist; Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. During adoration, the faithful may meditate, read the Scriptures, read spiritual books, spend some quiet time or pray in any manner that deepens their love for God.

·         Welcome Msgr. Joseph Deane who is celebrating Mass with us this weekend.

·         The second collection this weekend is the Black Bag collection for our Parish Social Ministry. Donations to the Black Bag fund all parish social ministry projects and activities. Your generosity is appreciated.

·         Help Stock the PSM Pantry - The Parish Social Ministry “Household/Personal Hygiene” Pantry is in need of your help! Please bring these items when you come to Mass this weekend according to the first letter of your last name: A-H: Laundry detergent (29 loads), bar soap, deodorant (men or women), baby powder; I-P:  Shampoo and conditioner, paper towels, dish detergent, baby body wash; O-Z:  Toothpaste, liquid cleaning products, baby wipes, baby shampoo. Thank you for your generosity in the name of the poor in our community.

·         Young Adults Book Study Please join the Young Adults Ministry for a book study on Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. The book study will begin Tuesday, January 25th at 7pm in St. Monica's Hall. The book study group will meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month from January-April 2011. Please send an email to YoungAdults@sjvroundrock.org if you are interested in attending.

·         Together in God’s Image, a 4-session marriage preparation course will be held in St. Monica Hall at 7 pm on the 4 Saturdays of February, 2011. This course is one of the mandatory requirements for anyone desiring the Sacrament of Matrimony in the diocese of Austin. For registration and more information, please contact the parish office at 512-218-1183.

·         Is God calling you to be a deacon? Men who are interested in learning more about becoming a permanent deacon are invited to one of the following informational sessions: Jan. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Burnet, Jan. 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at San Jose Parish in Austin, Jan. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Mary Parish in Caldwell, Feb. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Helen Parish in Georgetown and Feb. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Luke Parish in Temple. For more information, contact Deacon Tom Johnson (512-949-2418 or tom-johnson@austindiocese.org), Deacon Gene (dcngene@sjvroundrock.org), or Deacon Frank (dcnfrank@sjvroundrock.org).

·         Attention Men of the Parish:  The spring session of That Man is You! begins in one week. It is a 13-week interactive Bible Study focused on the development of men in the modern world. It combines the best research from science with the teachings of the Catholic faith and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of authentic men capable of transforming society. The daily Lenten journey will focus on four organizing principles: Orientation towards self/others/God, daily spiritual exercises, daily offering, and, finally, each of the seven covenants of TMIY!   Sessions will be Tuesday mornings at 5:45 am in St. Monica’s Hall.   Contact Mark Xavier at mark@xaviermail.net or 512-426-3586 or Deacon Gene at dcngene@sjvroundrock.org.

·         The SJV Knights of Columbus are selling fajita tacos ($2 a taco) after the Sunday Masses. Proceeds will help the Knights fund more parish events as they continue to build community within our parish.

·         Super Bowl Sunday – it’s not here, yet, but the SJV Knights of Columbus are taking orders this weekend for their famous super bowl chickens ($8 per chicken). Look for a Knight after each Mass this weekend! Proceeds benefit the seminarians from our parish and the Diocese of Austin.

·         2010 contribution statements are being sent via e-mail. If you do not receive a statement before Jan. 31, please contact the office with your e-mail address.

Did you ever stop to consider, why are you here? Right her, right now. Why are you here at this point in your journey? God put you here for a reason, but do you know why? Is there something you are supposed to get from being here? Is there something you are supposed to do? Today's first reading said, "The LORD said to me' You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory." "Now the LORD has spoken... it is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. As a steward, we are first called to be servants of God, but just being a servant isn't enough. We are also supposed to be a light to those around us. This passage offers two measures for your Attitude of Gratitude. Am I a servant of God? Am I a light for others? First, think it through, then look for ways to make it happen.

For more information on these and other parish events, please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
·         Welcome Fr. Brian McMaster, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Austin, who is celebrating Mass with us this weekend.
·         Youth Mass celebrated this Sunday at 11:00 am.
·         Vocations Pot Luckscheduled for this Sunday is cancelled.
·         St. Andrew's Ministry provides a fun way to meet other parishioners and welcome newcomers to the parish. If you enjoy meeting people and would like to get involved, please join us in the nursery on Sunday, January 16th following the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  Ministry members will be there to explain the various roles and provide training for the table leaders. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, please contact Joann Benton at 512-244-6036.
·         Together in God’s Image, a 4-session marriage preparation course will be held in St. Monica Hall at 7 pm on the 4 Saturdays of February, 2011. This course is one of the mandatory requirements for anyone desiring the Sacrament of Matrimony in the diocese of Austin. For registration and more information, please contact the parish office at 512-218-1183.
·         Is God calling you to be a deacon? Men who are interested in learning more about becoming a permanent deacon are invited to one of the following informational sessions: Jan. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Burnet, Jan. 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at San Jose Parish in Austin, Jan. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Mary Parish in Caldwell, Feb. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Helen Parish in Georgetown and Feb. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Luke Parish in Temple. For more information, contact Deacon Tom Johnson (512-949-2418 or tom-johnson@austindiocese.org), Deacon Gene (dcngene@sjvroundrock.org), or Deacon Frank (dcnfrank@sjvroundrock.org).
·         Attention Men of the Parish:  The spring session of That Man is You! begins in two weeks. It is a 13- week interactive Bible Study focused on the development of men in the modern world. It combines the best research from science with the teachings of the Catholic faith and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of authentic men capable of transforming society.  We will also have a daily Lenten journey designed to help us attain a personal encounter with Jesus Christ so that He can transform our lives.   Sessions will be Tuesday mornings at 5:45 am in St. Monica’s Hall.   Contact Mark Xavier at mark@xaviermail.net or 512-426-3586or Deacon Gene at dcngene@sjvroundrock.org.
·         The SJV Knights of Columbus are selling fajita tacos ($2 a taco) after next weekend’s Sunday Masses. Proceeds will help the Knights fund more parish events as they continue to build community within our parish.
·         Super Bowl Sunday – it’s not here, yet, but the SJV Knights of Columbus are taking orders this weekend for their famous super bowl chickens ($8 per chicken). Look for a Knight after each Mass this weekend! Proceeds benefit the seminarians from our parish and the Diocese of Austin.

            Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany.  This is the day that the magi came to Jesus bearing gifts.  These were the first Gentiles that recognized the manifestation of God in Christ.
            One often wonders why the wise men chose to give Christ gold, frankincense and myrrh.  One explanation was that the magi were possible sorcerers in their own land.  These elements were used in their practice of magic.  By giving these gifts to the Christ child, they were renouncing their old ways and giving their gifts to God.
            These travelers exemplified the Christian steward.  They were on a journey to find God, and when they found Him, they were willing to share their most valued possessions in service to Him.
            As we enter the New Year, and as you look for ways to show your Attitude of Gratitude, consider those elements which you hold precious in your life and consider how you can offer them as a gift to God.