SJV Adult Formation Ministry, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX (2026)

08/29/2026

Deacon Dale Steffes passed away this morning.
Please keep Sandy and their entire family in your prayers.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon Dale”.
“May the angels lead Dale into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome him, And take him to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem”. Amen

Funeral Arrangements:
Vigil, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 6 - 8pm; Saint John Vianney Catholic Church; Rosary at 7pm.
Funeral Mass, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1:30 in the Church
Reception following the Mass in the Activity Center

07/26/2026

Saint john Vianney Novena Prayer

06/04/2026

Congratulations to Fr. Josh Svajda

Josh Svajda grew up in west Houston; his family are long-time parishioners of Saint John Vianney Parish.

Josh recalls that his parents spent several days a week at the parish, involved in different ministries, which helped him become familiar with parish life and service in the Church.

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez will preside over the 10 a.m. Mass on Saturday, June 6, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston, ordaining to the priesthood, Deacons James Schnitzler, Josh Svajda, Mitchell Schumann, and Thomas Vu.

The Mass will be livestreamed online at www.archgh.org/live.

Fr. Josh will return to his home parish, St. John Vianney, to celebrate his first Mass as a priest, a Mass of Thanksgiving, at 11am.

06/04/2026

Solemnity of Corpus Christi - Sunday, June 7.

How Did the Feast Begin?

The visions of St. Juliana of Liège (modern day St. Juliana) inspired the Feast of Corpus Christi. St. Juliana, a thirteenth-century Norbertine religious, saw a moon with a dark spot in a vision. This revealed to her the absence of a liturgical feast to specifically honor the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

With the support of theologians and other Church leaders, particularly Archdeacon Jacques Pantaléon—the future Pope Urban IV—Corpus Christi was first celebrated in the Diocese of Liège in 1246.

In 1264, a year after the Miracle of Bolsena in central Italy in 1263, Pope Urban IV instituted Corpus Christi as a universal feast in the Church. He did so through his papal bull "Transiturus de hoc mundo".

What Was the Miracle of Bolsena?

The Miracle of Bolsena occurred in 1263, when a German priest, Peter of Prague, was struggling with doubts about the Real Presence in the Eucharist. He prayed fervently against these doubts, and as he pronounced the words of consecration during the Mass at which he was presiding, he noticed that blood began to seep from the host. The blood stained the corporal (a small linen cloth used on the altar during Mass), which Peter later brought to Pope Urban IV, who resided in nearby Orvieto at the time.

This Eucharistic miracle further affirmed Catholic teaching on the Real Presence, while directly leading to the global celebration of the Corpus Christi Feast.

Because of this miracle, many pilgrims and tourists continue to visit the Basilica of St. Christina in Bolsena, where this Eucharistic miracle took place. They also visit the Cathedral of Orvieto, in which the miraculous, blood-stained corporal is reserved.

09/11/2025

NEVER FORGET

On this solemn day of September 11, Americans across the nation join in remembrance and prayer for the lives lost and the enduring impact of the tragic events that unfolded 24 years ago. September 11, 2001, stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence and the importance of faith, hope, and unity in the face of adversity.

That three thousand people could go to work as part of their daily routine and never come home made us all aware of our fragile mortality.

Many Americans remember a country before and a country after, and for many young Americans, only a country after.

“Never forget” became a national motto after 9/11. Certainly, none of us will. The images of collapsing buildings, smoke, fire, and dust-covered faces will remain branded in our collective memories forever.

As Christians, let us pray for peace, healing, and reconciliation. Let us pray for an end to violence, hatred, and terrorism in our world.

If we return evil for evil, hate for hate, then evil and hate live on in triumph. But if we follow Jesus in his death-burial-resurrection-life, reconciliation and healing become possible through the triumph of Jesus.

"To triumph fully, evil needs two victories, not one. The first victory happens when an evil deed is perpetrated; the second victory, when evil is returned."

On this day of remembrance, let us recall all who perished, and all who did not, due to the many first responders and citizens who went to the aid of their fellow man. Thanks to them, we know where God is when we hurt.

Let us persevere in reflecting the light of Christ’s love in a world that is sometimes dark and divided.

“Never forget” is a most apt admonition as we move toward Sept. 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Everything may have changed on Sept. 11, 2001 but everything changed the day Jesus was crucified.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted….
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy….
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:4,6,7,9

07/03/2025

"America The Beautiful"

This popular patriotic hymn was written by Katharine Lee Bates, who was born in Falmouth, MA on August 12, 1859. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1880. After teaching high school for six years, Katharine returned to Wellesley where she eventually became head of the English Department.

Miss Bates was first inspired to write patriotic verse in 1892 in recognition of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. The following year, she visited and taught during the summer months in the state of Colorado. While viewing the countryside from the beautiful summit of Pike’s Peak, a summit which towers more than 14,000 feet above sea level, she was inspired to write a national hymn that would describe the majesty and vastness of our great land. She writes, “It was there, as I was looking out over the sea-like expanse of fertile country, spreading away so far under the ample skies, that the opening lines of this text formed in my mind. By the time she left Colorado Springs four stanzas were penciled in her notebook.

Katherine set aside her notes until the second summer following, when she sent them to "The Congregationalist", where they first appeared in print July 4, 1895. The hymn attracted an unexpected amount of attention. In 1904, Katherine rewrote the verses, trying to make the phraseology simpler and more direct.

Pikes Peak was the inspiration for “purple mountain majesties”. A vison of Kansas wheat fields she observed while riding on the train to Colorado led her to write of “amber waves of grain,” says Bates.

Though this text sparkles with distinctive language, it is interesting to note, that each stanza is rounded off with the earnest prayer, that God will always help our land to attain its real destiny. In this hymn, as in her other writings, Bates spoke often of the truth, that unless we crown our good with brotherhood, of what lasting value are our spacious skies, our amber waves of grain, our mountain majesties or our fruited plains?

She would add, “We must match the greatness of our country with the goodness of godly living.”

At least sixty tunes have been composed and paired with Katherine Bates’ poem through the years. Today “America the Beautiful” is sung to Samuel A. Ward’s “Materna” tune, meaning “motherly.” Ward, a New Jersey-born musician, served as organist at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Newark beginning in 1880. Ward wrote “Materna” in 1888 to accompany the words of “O Mother Dear Jerusalem”, written by a sixteenth-century poet.

It appears that Ward neither met Bates nor heard the hymn in its completed form set his tune before his death in 1903. In 1912, permission from the composer’s widow made it possible to join his tune with the text. Bates and Ward were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 for her words and his tune for “America the Beautiful”.

07/02/2025

Fr. Paolo Puccini
Welcome to St. John Vianney Parish!

Fr. Paolo says that "Life at the parish was the central focus of my family as I was growing up, and my time at a Jesuit high school introduced me in a deeper way to many beautiful aspects of the faith”.

Fr. Paolo’s interests in math and science, coupled with the study of Humanities, led him to the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Plan II Honors

A desire to apply his engineering degree, while traveling throughout the world and working with different cultures, led him to the oil and gas industry, in which he worked for three years with opportunities to visit Europe and Africa.

"As much as I enjoyed professional life, I realized that my deepest satisfaction was found in the Church, who for me is a constant source of growth, inspiration and love. I chose to enter the Paulist formation program because of their mission to bring the profound message of Gospel to the modern world." Fr. Paolo had first encountered the Paulists (the Missionary Society of Saint Paul the Apostle) in Austin at the University Catholic Center and through their various student ministries, formed many deep and lasting friendships.

Fr. Paolo entered the novitiate on August 24, 2013, made his first promises on July 26, 2014; his final promise on September 6, 2019, was ordained a transitional deacon on September 7, 2019, and ordained to the priesthood on July 25, 2020.

Fr. Paolo attended Strake Jesuit College Prep here in Houston and went on to The University of Texas at Austin. In formation he had the opportunity to study at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and took summer studies in Boston, San Francisco, Michigan, and Rome.

After priestly ordination Fr. Paolo was assigned to St. Austin Parish, in Austin, Texas. Now...he has returned home for a while!

Some fun facts about Fr. Paolo:
Favorite Saint: St. John the Apostle
Hobbies: Running, Reading, Travel
Favorite Food: Italian

Welcome Fr. Paolo!

06/18/2025

Welcome Home Fr. Michael!

On Sunday, June 22, newly ordained, Fr. Michael Noriega, will return to his home parish, St. John Vianney, to celebrate the 11am Mass.

Michael Lawrence Noriega was born in Baltimore and raised in Houston. He is the eldest child of Larry and Debbie Noriega and has one sister, Victoria, and one brother, David.

Michael was raised in a Catholic family and grew up in St. John Vianney Parish in west Houston. He was an active member of the parish’s youth group, worked part-time in the parish hall, and served as the youth representative on the Pastoral Council. The seeds of his vocation were planted at St. John Vianney.

Both his parents are nurses and being raised in the medical world of Houston, Michael desired to pursue a career in medicine. He graduated from Westside High School in 2009 and moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. The thought of priesthood first came up in late high school, but Michael wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. While at UT he was an active member of the University Catholic Center (UCC). Michael’s faith was nurtured at UT through Longhorn Awakening, Schoenstatt University Men, and Lambda Omega Alpha.

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in biology, graduating in 2014. After graduating Michael worked for three years in a physician’s office in Houston and then for a pro-life women’s healthcare organization in Washington, DC for one year.

It was during his time at UT, engaged with the UCC, that Michael began to ask the Lord where he was calling him to serve. In time, the Lord revealed to Michael that he wished to fulfill the desires of his heart but in a field different from the medical field. Michael’s desire to accompany people amid suffering and provide healing as a doctor and to build a culture of life would be fulfilled more deeply in the vocation and life of a priest. Specifically, to accompany people as a diocesan priest.

Michael entered Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas in the Fall of 2018 and studied philosophy for two years. In August 2020 he was sent to Rome to begin his theological studies at the Pontifical North American College. He earned his bachelor’s in sacred theology in June 2024 from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas and studied Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

Michael was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin and is excited to return to the Diocese of Austin and serve the people of God as a priest.

“I am most grateful to God, our Father, who is never outdone in his generosity. I am grateful for the love and witness of my parents and for my sister, brother, and brother-in-law; for their love and support of my vocation. I am grateful for Archbishop Vásquez who accepted me as a seminarian for the Diocese of Austin and who became a shepherd and spiritual father to me. I am also grateful for the priests who have been mentors and witnesses of the joy of priesthood to me: Fathers Troy Gately, Jonathan Raia, Jesus Ferras, Greg Gerhart, Juan Carlos Lopez, Michael Romano, and so many others. Lastly, I am grateful for the Blessed Mother, who has protected me in her mantle and cared for me throughout my life. I ask her as Queen of Apostles to pray for my brothers and I and for all priests that we may be holy, apostolic priests on fire with the love of Jesus to serve his beloved people."

"I am grateful for the Lord’s patience with me yet his unwillingness to give up on me, despite my stubbornness at times in responding to the call.”

04/21/2025

Early, on this Monday within the octave of Easter, our Holy Father passed away, a day after delivering his Easter message, “Urbi Et Orbi”, on the balcony of St. Peter’s.

Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, died this morning, April 21, 2025, at age 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 17, 1936, Pope Francis rose from modest beginnings to become the 266th leader of the Catholic Church.

Kevin Cardinal Farrell, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, announced that Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m. at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Maria. The late pope had been recovering from double pneumonia and a complex infection, resulting in a 38-day hospital visit.

As the Vatican and the universal, catholic, Church adjusts to the loss of its spiritual leader, a meticulously orchestrated period begins—one steeped in centuries of tradition and critical to the governance of the global Church.

When the death of a Pope is confirmed, the Catholic Church enters a phase known as "Sede Vacante", Latin for "the seat being vacant." This period, governed by strict canon law, triggers a sequence of events designed to both honor the deceased pope and prepare for the election of a new pontiff.

During "Sede Vacante", governance of the Catholic Church temporarily passes to the College of Cardinals, though their authority is strictly limited. The heads of Vatican departments, including those in the Roman Curia, cease exercising their duties until a new pope is elected. However, papal legates—diplomatic representatives—continue their external functions.

According to tradition, the camerlengo, currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, is the official responsible for certifying the pope's death and initiating the formal protocols. Farrell sealed the papal apartment and broke the pope's “Fisherman's Ring”, a symbolic gesture to prevent its misuse.

Each pope chooses his own ring, which is destroyed at the end of his papacy, a formality meant to symbolize the end of his reign and to prevent forgeries. The papal “Fisherman's Ring” was named for the apostle Peter, who was a fisherman and the first pope.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

SJV Adult Formation Ministry

08/29/2026

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09/11/2025

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