+JMJ+
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Please allow me this time to share my thanks and appreciation for your faithfulness to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! I have been reflecting upon these last three years of being assigned to St. John Vianney Parish. I can say that it was quite the roller coaster ride with both the expected and unexpected occurring. Thank you to the many people who have assisted in the different ministries and events to help live and share the Gospel with one another. Thank you for seeking to know Jesus more and to love Him more. I am grateful to see so many with a devotion to our Lord in the Eucharist by spending time in Adoration and seeking healing with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thank you for loving God and witnessing to the faith!
 
Saying “goodbye” has never been a fun experience for me. However, during these days when there is sadness in parting, I think of Psalm 63, “O God, you are my God-it is you I seek! For you my body yearns[…]”. Our pilgrim journey is one that should always be making progress towards greater intimacy with God, and that never stops no matter the age nor position one holds in life. I keep that in mind as I seek to continuously surrender myself to God and His will. There are temptations of course to rebel or shout, but the Good Lord must be served and followed no matter the situation or location. Luke’s Gospel comes to mind when Jesus says, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). If I do not see you again in the near future, I hope to see you again in the heavenly kingdom!
 
I invite you to please welcome Very Rev. Dale W. Ehrman as your new Pastor beginning Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Also, please welcome Rev. Matthew J. Arbuckle and Rev. Cole G. Daily as your new Parochial Vicars. These are excellent priests, and please journey well together for the greater glory of God!
 
Finally, I am reminded of a story of St. John the Evangelist. This comes from           St. Jerome’s commentary on Galatians.
 
“The blessed John the Evangelist lived in Ephesus until extreme old age. His disciples could not muster the voice to speak many words. During individual gatherings he usually said nothing but, “Little children, love one another.” The disciples and brothers in attendance, annoyed because they always heard the same words, finally said, “Teacher, why do you always say this?” He replied with a line worthy of John: “Because it is the Lords’ commandment and if it alone is kept, it is sufficient.” He said this because of the Apostle’s present mandate: “let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the household of faith.”
 
I found this story to be very edifying and foundational for living the faith. Thus, I ask all of you, please LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
 
St. John Vianney...pray for us!
-Fr. Tony Rowland