You and me: everyday saints

Photo credit: Liturgies.net

Today is All Saints' Day, a day instituted to honor all saints, known and unknown. Let us continue to pray for the grace to become the saints we've all been called to become!

This is a beautiful prayer for today by a Benedictine monastery.



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Margaret Ann

An hour with our Lord….
From an anonymous SJN adorer

On many occasions, I have been honored and blessed to observe and learn from a very special adorer who comes to honor and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at SJN Eucharistic Adoration.

As I sat in prayer with eyes closed, I could only hear the faint sound of something slowly scooting along the floor at the back of the church.  I did not turn around to look, only continued in restful prayer.

Now I recognize this sound immediately upon hearing it and wait in anticipation and awe to see the smile of the face that belongs to this soft, scooting noise – the sound of walker wheels, two of which are covered with tennis balls, but the sound now is easily recognizable as soon as those wheels hit the floor as this special adorer enters the church.

She slowly but deliberately ascends from the back of the church after carefully dipping into the holy water and making the sign of the cross before heading up the aisle.  She sometimes is so intent on her ascent that she does not look up, but on the days she looks up and smiles at all who are there, it truly is a sight to see as her face glows with the love and peace of Christ.

Many times I have watched in silent awe as this small framed person ascends up the aisle, moving slowly, yet with no hesitation, her curved back showing signs of osteoporosis and her beautiful pure white hair.  She concentrates on moving her frail limbs as she slowly, but deliberately, makes her ascent to a chair close to the front to sit close to and adore Our Lord.

I observe as she very slowly goes down on one knee, holding carefully onto her walker and bowing as low as she can and pausing before rising again with quivering arms to her chair.  Many times this simple act of reverence for Our Lord brings me to tears.  It takes all of her strength to bow and rise again, but that does not deter her from her task.  Sometimes the ladies who bring her to church help her back up from her kneeling position so she can take a place in her chair before the Lord.

I’ve have since learned her name from our adoration coordinator.  It is Margaret Ann and I look forward to hearing, seeing and observing as she so intently heads to her objective – a simple hour with the Lord.

On one occasion I had the privilege of having my sister join me for adoration, and I had told her briefly about Margaret Ann.  So as soon as the familiar sound of her walker’s tennis balls and wheels hit the floor, we both smiled at one another in anticipation of observing this beautiful person on her walk up the center aisle to adore Jesus.

I have not seen Margaret Ann for some time now but can only pray that she is well and in God’s loving care.  What a special blessing it has been to simply be able watch one of God’s loving children seek his heart through adoration each week.

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Eucharistic Adoration is available every Wednesday at SJN from 9:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.  To sign up for a weekly shift to be with our Lord in this special way, contact Ann at (512) 517-5479 or e-mail her.

Ambassadors for Growth leadership seminar

The 'Ambassadors for Growth' leadership seminar Saturday was great!  We've received so many compliments about our feature presenter, Thom Singer, from the many ministry leaders who attended.  He's such a dynamic speaker, and SJN is blessed to have him as our own parishioner!

Read Thom's reaction to the seminar on his own blog here.

Thom Singer, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

Ministry leaders, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

Thom Singer, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

As you'll read on Thom's blog, the key idea that was taken from the seminar was the idea of our current ministry leaders going up to someone new at Mass, or any church event, every week and meeting someone they'd never before met.  With the 35 leaders who attended the seminar, if they did that every Sunday and then encouraged everyone in their ministries to do the same, our parish community would be so engaged and connected!  The leaders were all so enthusiastic about the idea, how simple it is to do.  The seminar had such great energy!

Thanks to everyone who came and, most especially, to Thom for putting on the workshop.  We hope to feature more similar workshops for our leaders in the future!  

Go forth and 'build the Kingdom!'

Ministry leaders reveal what keeps them coming back for more

I recently asked the parish ministry leaders the top reason for being involved at SJN that keeps them coming back for more, and their responses have been beautiful!  What a blessed parish to have such humble, loving servant leaders.

• I have never felt so loved as I do in the St. John Neumann community. I thought my world had ended in 1997 when my husband died suddenly; however, this faith community of St. John Neumann has given me life by loving and accepting me in my time of need. The Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program was just the beginning, followed by many and varied spiritual walks, which ultimately led me to the Lay Missionaries of Charity. Thank you, God, for this St. John Neumann Faith Community.  Jo Creath, Lay Missionaries of Charity
• Two things come to mind for me -- First, the wonderful community that my family is now a part of at St. John Neumann, largely because of the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program.  It is always wonderful to be at Mass and recognize a dozen or more CRHP brothers!  Also, my whole family loves the music at 5:30 p.m. Sunday mass, and there's no better way to worship than sitting in the front and singing loudly!  Steve Zika, Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program
• I am so thankful to be part of the loving and faithful community here.  There is a great opportunity for me to grow personally, and I feel privileged to be part of the formation of our youth!  Barbie Schaefer, Challenge
• It's very encouraging to see how many individuals, families, young people step up (with enthusiasm) to help the less fortunate in Austin and other parts of the world. This willingness to help pulls us closer together to make a true community.  Anna Marie Phelps, SVDP
• When I walk into daily Mass at 8:45 in the morning and see a dozen high school teenagers at Mass, rather than sleeping in, I can't help but to come back for more! Who wouldn't when God is moving so powerfully in this community?  Andrew Schuelke, Youth Ministry
• I am amazed at our youth. How they are always eager to learn, and take what they have learned home. That's what has made me love SJN so much.  Rachel Vaughn, Religious Education and Godly Play
• I am greatly inspired by the generosity and caring of our SJN parishioners and their willingness to support schoolchildren of a different culture on the other side of the world in the communities that we serve. I am deeply inspired also by the open hearts, love and caring of the children and teens of our community. For several years, SJN children and youth have worked with us to collect school supplies and to create beautiful messages of peace and friendship through art to send to the students at the schools we support. We are continuously awed by the enthusiasm, love and creativity that our SJN youth pour into their artwork and cards and by the genuine caring that they express for children they will never meet on the other side of the world. Witnessing this loving and peaceful connection between our children and the children we serve has been a joy to the volunteers of our ministry.  Chris Hamilton, ASP
• From the first mass at Valley View with Fr. Vaughn to today with Fr. Bud, I have made SJN my family, my home.  Diane Gele, Christian Medical Missions
• I once saw a bumper sticker that said "Social Justice begins in the Womb." When Anna Steinbauer one Sunday asked for SJN parishioners to "get out of the pews" and join the SJN Culture of Life Committee and support Life issues -- This bumper sticker came to mind. We must all support and pray for greater respect and justice for ALL human life from conception till natural death, especially for those who have no voice.  Mary Saniuk, Culture of Life
• Always the warm, loving community spirit and wonderful friends that I share my faith with at SJN keep me coming back for more and this has been true for more than 25 years! I consider SJN a second home.  Pat Flathouse, Bereavement Committee, Older Women’s Legacy
• I am continually awed at our parishioners. So many good role models involved in different ministries at our church and in our community. Sandra Farrell, Flower Guild
• SJN is the first church where I have been a member and have felt a true sense of community.  Being involved helps me foster that sense of community and feel even more connected to my parish.  Cirenia Terrazas, Gift Shop Committee

Vote now: How many SJN ministries are you a part of?

 How many SJN ministries are you involved in?

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Thank you to Fr. Mark Hamlet's reception volunteers

A big thank you goes out to the many volunteers who helped out at Fr. Mark Hamlet's reception on May 30! They came through on short notice and made sure the event went beautifully.

• Dee McKenzie
• Nancy Biehler
• Hilary Olson
• Jon Olson
• Mary Ann Condon
• Maria Cuevas
• Alan Graham
• Tricia Graham
• Chris Hamilton
• Dorinda Hickey
• Nikki James-Werkman
• Lance Kappel
• Kathleen Luedke
• Julie Martin
• Mike May
• Brent Palin
• DeeAnn Paul
• Carol Ramberg
• Barbie Schaefer
• Fran Sonstein
• Carol Staha
• Jamie Trahan

If you're interested in helping out at parish events (setup, greeting, kitchen, cleanup, food, etc.), let us know!  We have several events throughout the year that could use your service.

Staff on "Serving": Michael Gormley

One of the more recent SJN staff members is Michael Gormley, aka "Gomer," having joined the staff in summer 2009.  We recently had the chance to find out more about him and his philosophy on the idea of what it means to serve.

What is your job title at SJN?

Pastoral Associate of Youth Ministry

How long have you been a parishioner at this parish?

Since July 1, 2009

What parish ministries are you involved in, outside of your official job description?

Knights of Columbus, Between the Masses, RCIA and Vacation Religion School.  Outside of the parish, I'm involved with Theology on Tap.

Why do you think it's important to be involved in the parish?

It is important to be involved directly in the parish life as well as from the heart of the parish to the community. Within the parish life, my mission is, largely, evangelization and catechesis because I think that is where my talents are the most. I do it because Jesus is teaching me gratitude. I need to remember that all is gift and life is grace, so I surround myself with the mission of spreading His grace to others. It is just as important to spiritually feed others as it is to allow yourself to be fed by others.

Who is a saint you admire or spiritual role model you look toward for inspiration? Why?

My patron saints are Joseph because he was a true man, husband and father; Francis because he unwaveringly responded to God's call in his life; Thomas Aquinas because he devoted his whole life to faith and reason; and, finally, Ignatius of Loyola, who was the tireless soldier of the Truth and a constant fighter of his own vices. These four saints inspire me to greatness and push me away from mediocrity, both in my personal life and in my ministry.

What ministries would you like to see at SJN that don't already exist?

Two things: First, I would like to see parish missions, days of praise, big liturgies -- events done at this church where the whole purpose is simply to lift up the name of Jesus, not even have a catechetical component, save that of teaching people how to pray and praise Him. Second, I would like to see existing ministries intentionally, purposefully, carve out places within their ministries for the teens of our parish to serve alongside as equal laborers in the vineyard. I want a culture of doing ministry at SJN that is ordered toward the full incorporation of the young Church within the parish. My dream is to have teens as actively recruited for ministries as adults.

Parishioners inspire confirmation students to serve

A couple Sundays ago, seven parishioners seeked to inspire 80 confirmation students who are preparing to receive the sacrament later this spring.  Eric Paul Carreiro, Jo Creath, Alan and Tricia Graham, Meghan and Matt Klassen, and Buddy Quaid visited the March 7th class to each speak to groups of 10 students at a time as the students rotated from "station to station" where each parishioner gave a witness talk on why they are involved at the parish.

Eric Paul Carreiro leads the Sunday 5:30 p.m. Life Teen Choir.

Jo Creath has been involved in the Lay Missionaries of Charity, Altar / Sacristy Ministry, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Eucharistic Adoration, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Habitat for Humanity and other ministries.

Alan and Tricia Graham were two founders of Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Alan currently serves as the president of the parish-sponsored ministry that has over 10,000 volunteers nationwide.  They've also been involved with Knights of Columbus, the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program and Just Faith.

Meghan and Matt Klassen have been involved with the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program, Eucharistic Adoration and Habitat for Humanity.

Buddy Quaid has been involved with the Communications Committee.

After receiving the sacrament of confirmation later this spring, it will be tempting for the high schoolers to fall into the routine of attending Sunday Mass as their sole weekly church activity since religious education classes won't be required of them any longer.  To help prevent this, these seven witnesses were asked to show how they are being faithful to God and flourishing as a human person in responding to His call to serve others in love.

There are many opportunities for young people to serve Christ and His Church -- in liturgical ministry (i.e. readers, ushers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, music), social ministry (i.e. Hearts and Hands Respite Ministry, communion to the sick), Christian life ministry (i.e. coffee and donut hosts), faith formation (i.e. catechists, EDGE leaders) and stewardship ministry (i.e. parish library volunteers, Welcome Committee). 

Join us in praying for these young people who will be on fire with the Holy Spirit, that they may seek to know how to best use their gifts and talents to serve God and His people!  Also send up a prayer of thanksgiving for the witnesses of Eric Paul, Jo, Alan, Tricia, Meghan, Matt and Buddy, that they may be blessed for saying 'yes' to showing how they try to serve as Christ's hands and feet in the world and that they may have the courage to continue to witness in their everyday lives.