In 1818 there was a young priest in a small, lonely parish in the French Village of Ars. His name was John Vianney. He had not been very successful on his school work, but he was very successful in his parish work.  For forty years, John Vianney did all that he could do to help the people in his parish and anyone else who needed him. People came to him for help first from near-by parishes, then from all of France, and finally from all over the world. Before long, the small country parish was famous world-wide. Rich and poor, young and old, wise and foolish, people came to hear John preach and receive advice and blessing. He loved and helped them all. About 20,000 people came each year for his help. He spent as much as eighteen hours a day sharing the love of Jesus by reconciling people with God and the Church. John Vianney was a kind, loving and gentle priest. He is called the Cure' of Arcs. (Cure' is the French word for "Priest" or "Father.")