Associate Pastor’s Letter – January 28

Dear Parishioners,

I am looking forward to my pilgrimage to Ars, France in August of this year.  This pilgrimage has been planned as part of the 50th Anniversary of St. John Vianney Parish.  Ars, France is where the famous saint was pastor for 41 years from 1818-1859.  His body is enshrined in Ars in a magnificent basilica. We hope to celebrate Mass in Ars, France with the local community on Sunday, August 4, the feast day of the saint.

I would like to invite parishioners from both St. John Vianney and Mary Our Queen parishes to be part of this unique pilgrimage.  The pilgrimage will include time in Paris, Lyon, Milan, Venice, Florence and conclude in Rome.  See information on signing up for the Pilgrimage on page 7 of this bulletin.

St. John Vianney is the patron saint of priests, and of diocesan priests (like Fr. Marc, Fr. Tom, and me) in particular. When I began my seminary formation in 1972 I attended the St. John Vianney College Seminary on the campus of St. Thomas College (now University) in St. Paul, MN.  And now as I move towards retirement, I have been privileged to serve as pastor of St. John Vianney Parish for 10 years until recently being named senior associate in our new family of parishes.

These days I am also in the process of creating the second panel of Christ In Glory With All the Saints that will include an image of Saint John Vianney.  This project was initiated as a part of the parish’s anniversary.  Details on how to be involved in this Art and Development program to address the debt of St. John Vianney parish is also found elsewhere in the bulletin. I appreciate all who are stepping forward in this anniversary endeavor.

St. John Marie Baptist Vianney, pray for us.

Fr. Richard