The first Sacrament is the Sacrament of Baptism. Bap-
tism signifies two things, death to the physical world and
rebirth in Christ. The Church teaches that an indelible mark
is placed on our soul that indicates that we belong to Christ.
Through the waters of Baptism, we are cleansed from per-
sonal sin and also of the original sin that we inherit from
Adam and Eve.
When the sacrament of Baptism occurs we are wel-
comed into Christ's family. In life, as children, we learn and
grow as humans, by the waters of Baptism, we become
children of Christ and as such we begin the process of
growing in Him.
Just as in life we are born to our physical parents, in
Baptism, we also are received by our Godparents. These
special parents are there to help us in our spiritual growth.
By the Sacrament of Baptism, we are given the gift of life
in Christ and our first reason to have 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).

· Tomorrow is the 31^st anniversary of Fr. Edwin’s ordination. Happy Anniversary, Fr. Edwin!
· Readingsfor this Sunday: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Ps 66:1-7, 16, 20;1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21
· Rosary at 7 pm through the month of May continues at the Marian Garden. May 31^st is also the feast of the visitation of our Blessed Mother to her cousin, Elizabeth. If you haven’t had a chance to come to the Rosary, we welcome you for the last couple of days.
· This Memorial Day weekend, let us pray for those who have sacrificed for our faith and freedom.
· Thank you, Fest-of-All committee members, for a great celebration on May 22! The SJV family was treated to prayer, food and entertainment from the many cultures that make up our parish family. Tom Gora and his fantastic volunteers worked hard to bring us such a wonderful day and we thank each and every one of you!
· Thursday, June 2 is the Thursday before First Friday and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available from 5:30-6:30 pm in the church.
· First Friday is June 3. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is in the Day Chapel from 9 am on Friday until 9 am on Saturday. The Devotion to the Sacred Heart is Friday at 7 pm in the narthex.
· Correction to bulletin info: Mandatoryon going formation for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, both current and new, is Saturday, June 4 at 10 am in St. Monica Hall.
· Marriage Preparation –Together in God’s Image classes begin June 1 at 7 pm and continue for the five Wednesdays of June. All those who are being called to the Sacrament of Marriage in the coming months are required to take this course. To register, please contact the SJV office at 512-218-1183 or business@sjvroundrock.org. See the bulletin for more information.
· Parish Vision Meetings –are Saturday, June 4, at 7 pm and Sunday, June 5 at 12:30 pm. These are the last two opportunities this summer. More information is in the bulletin.
· Religious Education 2011-2012 – early registration has begun and continues through July 10 - $35 per child ($105 family maximum). RE fee increases if you wait until after July 10 (see bulletin).
· The deadline for the June 12 and the June 19 bulletins is Tuesday, June 7 at noon.
· Eh? What’s That You Say? When you join the Sound Board Ministry, you’re trained to enhance the audio portion of the Mass to the congregation. You provide a service that is truly indispensable. We are looking for new volunteers. No previous experience needed; training provided. Contact Evan Whitis at evanwhitis@sbcglobal.net for more information and to sign up.
· “…God “writes” the world like men write words, to convey truth and love. So nature and history are more than just created things – God fashions them as visible signs of other things, uncreated realities, which are eternal and invisible. But because of sin’s blinding effects, the “book” of nature must be translated by the inspired Word of Scripture. This in turn calls for a truly sacramental imagination, which will enable people (once again) to interpret history and creation in terms of the sacred symbolism of Scripture.” Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, p. 22.

Have you ever noticed that God created the world in seven days and that there are seven Sacraments of the Church?

Furthermore, if you compare the seven sacraments to our lives, you will recognize that there are seven stages or needs of our physical lives. Each of these stages aligns with one of the seven sacraments!

The word sacrament means oath, it is a stronger form of commitment than just a promise. Through the oaths of each sacrament, we receive a special grace of God. Through the sacraments we are strenghtened so that we may live out our lives as Christians.

The Sacraments are outward signs, instituted by Christ which when properly administered and received infuse us with God's grace. The seven sacraments are Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anouinting of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders.

Over the next several weeks, we will unfold the Seven Sacraments of the Church and how each of the Sacraments helps us grow our Attitude of Gratitude.

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

· Readingsfor this Sunday: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5. 18-19;1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12
· St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote: “Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the Sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us”. The Eucharist is a priceless treasure: By not only celebrating the Eucharist, but also by praying before It outside of Mass, we are enabled to make contact with the very wellsprings of Grace ..."Third Friday Adoration begins this Friday, May 20th at 9:00 am and continues until Saturday at 9 am.
· The II Annual “Fest of All” (a celebration of our cultures) is this Sunday, May 22.
10:15 am: Multilingual Rosary will be prayed in the church in 13 different languages of the world
11 am: International Mass: 14 different languages will be used in worship to show that though we are many, we are one in faith
12 noon: Taste of different ethnic cuisine, multicultural entertainment, world market, music, games, fun, beer, etc.
Come with family and friends! Enjoy SJV family!!
· The Black Bag collection this weekend supports the corporal and spiritual works of mercy through the Caring Hands of SJV. Thank you for your generosity.
· Religious Education 2011-2012 – early registration has begun and continues through July 10 - $35 per child ($105 family maximum). RE fee increases if you wait until after July 10 (see bulletin).
· “Abrams divine call is the acorn, of which salvation history is the oak tree.” Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, p. 95.

As Christians we are called to be Christ to others and see Christ in others. But as humans we often fall short of this standard. Our fallen nature makes it difficult to live up to the example of Christ.

The way that we are enabled to be Christ to others is by our reception of God's grace in the seven sacraments. Each sacrament is a way for us to be infused with God's grace, truly becoming one with Christ.

But internalizing the grace of God, isn't sufficient. We must also emulate Christ in our interactions with other people. By serving others, we become the Hands of Christ and we serve Christ as He is present in them.

Humans are a unique creation of God. We are both Spirit and Physical. By full participation in the seven sacraments and by becoming the Hands of Christ to others, we allow the fullness of our human nature to demonstrate our Attitude of Gratitude towards God.

For more information on these and other parish events, please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
· Readings for this Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps 23:1-6 ; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10
· First Eucharist is Saturday at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to be a part of this sacrament that 53 SJV children will receive for the first time. Thanks to all parents and teachers. Let’s pray that we will help our children grow in their love and reverence for Jesus in the Eucharist.
· May Rosary Evenings. During the month of May, SJV prays the Rosary at 7 pm in the Marian Garden (Sundays through Fridays) and at 5 pm in the church (Saturdays). All are welcome! Come with family and friends. It’s good to see so many of you!
· International Rosary and Multilingual Mass – Sunday, May 22 at 10:15 am in the church. Tell us if you can pray the rosary in your native language (other than English).
· 9 days until “Fest-of-All” (on May 22nd).
1. Food and Drink tickets are on sale this weekend after all Masses. Buy early and get a discount – $20 buys you 25 tickets this weekend. On May 22, tickets are $1 each.
2. If you’ve already bought your t-shirt, you may pick it up this weekend after any of the Masses.
3. Donation opportunities: World Market Items, Food dishes (Italian, Asian, Greek, etc.), Soda/Water, Cakes, Plants, Stuffed Animals, Toys, and Pop-up tents. We are also looking for cooks and any volunteers.
4. Volunteer opportunities: Set-up on May 21, Cooking/serving food and drinks, monitoring games and activities, working in the World Market. Sign up sheets are in the narthex!
5. Contact info: Tom Gora 512-771-3915 or 512-310-1341; Katie Leo, katie61881@aol.com; Delores Frew, dfrew@sbcglobal.net.
· Don’t forget about the Parish Vision Meetings (in the next week) on Sunday, May 15, following the 11:00 Mass and Tuesday, May 17th, 7 p.m. All Parish Vision Meetings begin in the church. Please attend one of these meetings or plan to attend a future meeting. All meeting dates are in the bulletin.
· Come join the YAM's on Saturday, May 14, from 12pm- 2pm for the Young Adult Picnic and Volleyball Game! The picnic will be BYOF (bring your own food) and will held on the SJV grounds. This event is free and all are welcome to attend! For more information contact Jennifer Guevara at youngadults@sjvroundrock.org
· The Sanctuary Singers will be having a celebration this Sunday after the 11am Mass in the Pavilion. All children that are interested in joining the choir are welcome to attend! We will have hamburger and hotdogs, a bounce house and lots of fun. Please stop by.
· Religious Education 2011-2012 – early registration begins this weekend and continues through July 10 - $35 per child ($105 family maximum). RE fee increases if you wait until after July 10 (see bulletin).
· If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church for whatever reason, please know that we are thinking of you. St. John Vianney parish offers you a safe “Landing” place to be listened to, a place for understanding and healing. We invite you to be an active part of us again. If you are interested, and want more information, please call the Church at 512-218-1183 or email Laura Durant at lmk1979@yahoo.com.
· “You may be wondering, Why do we have to love like God in the first place? Scripture gives us an answer in two parts: First, the Old Testament shows that we were made to live like God by sharing love within the human family during our earthly stay; second, the New Testament shows that we were made to live in God by sharing the love of the Blessed Trinity for eternity in heaven. Both elements are essential for understanding what it means to be truly human, but only the second one is our true and ultimate end, what theologians call the Beatific Vision. We would completely fall short were we to attain anything less.” Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, p. 18-19.

A little over 2000 years ago, a teenaged girl said "Yes" to God's call, and the world changed. No one recalls her special skills, talents, or wealth, but all humanity is indebted to her, just for saying "Yes" to God.

When she said "Yes" she lived out the remainder of her life as a mother, raising and teaching her child, caring and tending to him, and later to his friends. She helped him grow to become the man that God intended him to be. She watched him as he shouldered his responsibilities and as he suffered and died. She fulfilled her "Yes" by just being a good mother.

This month, we celebrate "Mary's Month." This month, do a little extra in prayer, in service, in almsgiving. When you do these things, you say "Yes" to God's call. Follow the example of that teenaged girl and how she lived out her Attitude of Gratitude. Say "Yes" to God and help Him change the world.

For more information on these and other parish events, please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
· Readingsfor this Sunday: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35
· The second collection this weekend is for Seminarians and Priests Formation and Education.
· May Rosary Evenings. During the month of May, SJV prays the Rosary at 7 pm in the Marian Garden (Sundays through Fridays) and at 5 pm in the church (Saturdays). All are welcome! Come with family and friends.
· First Friday Sacred Heart Devotion is at 7:30 pm in the narthex of the church, following the Rosary.
· 16 days until “Fest-of-All” on (May 22^nd). T-shirts on sale after all Masses.
1. Donation opportunities: World Market Items, Food dishes (Italian, Asian, Greek, etc.), Soda/Water, Cakes, Plants, Stuffed Animals, Toys, and Pop-up tents. We are also looking for cooks and any volunteers.
2. Volunteer opportunities: Set-up on May 21, Cooking/serving food and drinks, monitoring games and activities, working in the World Market. Sign up sheets are in the narthex!
3. Contact info: Tom Gora 512-771-3915 or 512-310-1341; Katie Leo, katie61881@aol.com; Delores Frew, dfrew@sbcglobal.net.
· If the Pope himself would give you a special invitation to visit him in the Vatican, this honor would be nothing in comparison to the honor and dignity that Jesus Himself bestows upon you with the Invitation of spending one hour with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. "The Divine Eucharist bestows upon the Christian people the incomparable dignity." (Pope Paul VI, Mysterium Fidei). Please stop in at any time as we're confident Jesus will be overjoyed to see you!
· Outdoor Crowning of Mary at the Marian Grotto – Sunday, May 8 (Mother’s Day) after the 11:00 am Mass.
· Don’t forget about the Parish Vision Meetings (in the next week) on Saturday, May 7th, 7 p.m. following the 5:30 Mass and Tuesday, May 10th, 7 p.m. All Parish Vision Meetings begin in the church. Please attend one of these meetings or plan to attend a future meeting. All meeting dates are in the bulletin.
· If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church for whatever reason, please know that we are thinking of you. St. John Vianney parish offers you a safe “Landing” place to be listened to, a place for understanding and healing. We invite you to be an active part of us again. If you are interested, and want more information, please call the Church at 512-218-1183 or email Laura Durant at lmk1979@yahoo.com.
· SJV Family Life Support for Service Families Do you have a beloved family member serving our country in the armed forces? Our Parish family would like to keep them and you in our prayers. Please send a photo of the service member, name and branch of service, as well as your name and contact info to the St. John Vianney office business@sjvroundrock.org or drop it off at the office. We will include your information in a special place in the narthex. We are here to support you in our prayers and love.
· Save the date! Multilingual Rosary and Mass on May 22. Rosary at 10:15 am, Mass at 11:00 am. Tell us if you can pray the rosary in your native language (other than English).
· “Let’s face it. We humans really don’t want God to love us that much. It’s simply too demanding. Obedience is one thing, but this sort of love clearly calls for more than keeping commandments. It calls for nothing less than total self-donation. That might not be a difficult job for the three infinite Persons of the Trinity, but for creatures like us, such love is a summons to martyrdom. This invitation requires much more suffering and self-denial than simply giving up chocolate for Lent. It demands nothing less that a constant dying to self.” Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, p. 18.