Outreach * See new TENT CITY 4 opportunities below~!

Bridge Ministry for Persons with Disabilities
SJV sponsors and hosts a once a year special celebration at the parish. This year's dinner will be Sunday, November 16, 2008 from 4 to 6PM. We need workers from 2 to 7PM. Sign up to help with this wonderful yearly event. Call Jan 425 823 0787

Knights of Columbus
Contact: Tom Marier, Meeting third Thursday of each month

Esperanza International
3 amazing, spirit filled groups spent a total of 4 weeks working in the outskirts of Tijuana building homes in La Morita and Lomas de San Antonio communities. Adult trek began Carson Eckmann's memorial home foundation. Our college trekkers continued by building a retaining wall and the 2 week high school group finished the home. There were tears of joy throughout the community as the roof of Lydia's home was completed. Gene Garrow's home (Conchita's) had the floor poured by our adults and was finished by the college group. Two wonderful men are memorialized with sturdy, long lasting homes for families in Tijuana. Next year's adult trek is already scheduled for May 17 to 23. Our college folks make their road trip June 19 to 27, 2009. The High school trek goes June 27 to July 11, 2009. Space is limited for the high school trek; (applications are available only until Sept 14).

*****Tent City 4****
Beginning November 1, 2008, Tent City 4 will return to SJV. The hospitiliaty group is keeping track of meals with an online calendar. You are welcome to access the calendar to see when meals are most needed. The color squares indicate that a meal is scheduled. http://prem.calendars.net/tcmeals

Water in Africa Through Everyday Responsiveness aka W.A.T.E.R.
For the third year, we had an incredible experience. Gratitude, humility, joy, deep reflection, tension in our hearts with what we saw, hospitality.. there aren't enough words to express the scope of our individual and collective feelings. This year, we had 2 groups travel to Ghana, West Africa. Group one had 5 from Mary Queen of Peace parish and 5 from SJV. This group included the start of the process of a sister parish relationship between MQP and Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral in Tamale. Our second group of 11 (just SJV folks) featured 5 under 25 year olds and Eduardo Zavala Reyes from Esperanza. Between the two groups, we celebrated water in 4 villages, a water catchment system in a water deprived outskirt of Tamale, painted a CRS supported small school in a remote village called BIndi, and put up the supports, roof and poured a concrete floor in the Childcare Foundation school in Accra. We endured some illness but, as with any strong Christ centered community, we were there to support each other in love. Catholic Relief Services hosted us and we have a deep sense of awe in witnessing how this organization of OURS manifests God's love to all people based on 'need not creed'. CRS surely gives hope to a world in need. We have also chosen to support Colwood Design. This small cooperative of women offers the chance to earn a living and learn skills. Their motto is "from distress to dignity." There is much hope as Catholics continue to put faith in action in Ghana. It was an honor to be associated with these fine organizations.

Youth Migrant Project and Winter Missions.
SJV youth and chaperones spent a week working with the Hispanic population in the BUrlington, Washington area. This year a special project was added; our group poured a concrete pad between two of the portables. Good thing there were good strong folks with concrete experience from Tijuana! The food bank was supported and time was spent in children of migrant workers' classrooms. It was an extraordinary week with inspired and inspiring work by our youth group from seventh graders to high incoming high school seniors and even a collegiate person here and there! Enormous thanks to Mary Goodwin for continuing to lead this awesome Holy Spirit Filled week! Permission slip link

Prayer Chain

Komen for the Cure: Race for the Cure
Special flash! SJV has been awarded the Ellen Nakata Volunteer Award for 2008. We continue to provide over 70 volunteers yearly in the production of the Race for the Cure.

Sonshine Ministry
Contacts: Nancy Stratton, Mimi Eyster

St. Vincent de Paul

Young Adult ( 21 to ??) **new Let's start with the A B C's! Friday, November 21 our nextt meeting at Ashley Zerangue's house for THanksgiving fun! The long term goal may be a young adult Esperanza mission trek. Come join us.