December 24, 2017

Visit: www.stjoan.com 4537 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419 612.823.8205 Fax: 612.825.7028

Pastors 2 Cents From: Fr. Jim DeBruycker The Christmas Gospels give us three presentations of the Incarnation. Matthew and Luke give us the Christmas card versions, with shepherds, angels, magi, a star and an evil king. John takes a very different approach and is explicit in explaining who Jesus is. Matthew writes his Gospel to show Jesus was the Messiah prophesied. He was descended from David, born in Bethlehem. He is the true Son of God, the true God of all. Even the wise men of the gentiles, the magi, recognize him, as do the stars of the heavens. He is the new Moses and like Moses, the ‘powers that be’ want to kill him, so his family flees to Egypt where it has been prophesized that a savior will return to set his people free. That’s a lot of info in just a few paragraphs. Luke fleshes out the backstory even more. He lets us know about the relationship of John to Jesus, both enhancing John’s role but placing him under Jesus. He lets us know, through the angel Gabriel’s visitations to Zechariah and Mary, that this was all prearranged from above. This was heavenly stuff and interestingly enough, he proclaims Mary’s prophetic anointing both through her ‘yes’ and the Magnificat, a declaration which stands with any of the great prophetic utterances of the Scriptures. Of course, the story then shifts from great prophetic utterances and events which echo stories told of the great kings, to a more homely story of a family on the road who end up in a barn. It is here where the proclaimed great king is born with only animals and sheep herders as witnesses. This is accompanied by a serenade from the heavenly host. In John’s gospel, Jesus is God become human; he was preexistent from all time, and he has come for our sake. No angels, no inn, no shepherds, no star...‘just the facts, son.’ There is plenty to meditate on here, God became us. He was God for all. He came for all. His witnesses were kings, the wise, and the lowly. He was a refugee. He was a wanted man at birth... and on and on. So, this is all the more reason to welcome everyone wherever they are on their journey and say there is room at this inn. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Gym Masses

Presider: Fr. Jim DeBruycker Our theme this Advent Season is Be Still and Know. These Sundays include an opening ritual of prayer, music and quiet, as well as witness stories from our parishioners on their experiences of the presence of God in times of light and darkness. Scott Malchow will share his story this morning. Scott is our longtime sound man, and we are always grateful for his presence. On this Fourth Sunday in Advent we welcome the voices of our own Steve Kremer and Terrie Coats to inspire our gym liturgies. Thank you as always!

Family Mass

There is no Family Mass today or Dec. 31, Family Masses will resume Jan. 7. Join us in the Gym at 4 pm today for our family-friendly Christmas Eve Mass.

Weekend Masses are Celebrated at:Weekend Masses are Celebrated at:Weekend Masses are Celebrated at:Weekend Masses are Celebrated at: 5 pm Saturday and 7:45 am Sunday in the Church5 pm Saturday and 7:45 am Sunday in the Church5 pm Saturday and 7:45 am Sunday in the Church5 pm Saturday and 7:45 am Sunday in the Church

9 am and 11 am Sunday in the Gym 9 am and 11 am Sunday in the Gym 9 am and 11 am Sunday in the Gym 9 am and 11 am Sunday in the Gym Family Masses at 9:45 am and 11:45 am in the Church Family Masses at 9:45 am and 11:45 am in the Church Family Masses at 9:45 am and 11:45 am in the Church Family Masses at 9:45 am and 11:45 am in the Church

Highlights This Week at SJA

Scripture Readings:

Sun, Dec. 24: 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16; Luke 1:67-79 Mon, Dec. 25: Isaiah 62:1-5; Acts 13:16-17,22-25; Matthew 1:1-25 Tue, Dec. 26: Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 Wed, Dec. 27: 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a & 2-8 Thu, Dec. 28: 1 John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 2:13-18 Fri, Dec. 29: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 Sat, Dec. 30: 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40 Sun, Dec. 31: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; Col 3:12-21; Luke 2:22-40

Looking Ahead…

Debbie Anderson, Arlene Axelson, Ben Barbastis, Dennis Barta, Phyllis Berninger, Pat Bigaouette, Elaine Boehm, Sally Bolster, Bill Brazil, Lorraine Bryant, Pam Burd, Chris C., George C., Carrie Carlson, Dayna Cell, Alice & Dennis Coleman, Kate Corey, Joe Chouinard, Colleen Dooley, Ann Duffy, Bob Duffy, Eric, Henry F., Mary & Del Fischer, Nathan Freeman, John & Margaret Frees, Roman Garwood, Peter & Kathleen Giefer,

Stephen Goodman, Heidi Gregorich, Tom Griep, Brent Harapat, Jim Hare, Helen Hinton, Jim Hinton, Ethan Hoeschen, Megan Hoffman, Mary Hoody, Jan Horner, Kathy Horner, Neysa Housley, Kirk Ingram, Jen, Tricia Jacobson, Cecilia Jaisle, Dan Jay, Marjorie & Scott Johnson, Paul Jonsson, Molly K., Judy Kadlec, Lois Kalis, Jean Karol, Maria Karpinski, Donna Kelly, Glen Kelley, Marcia Kirchner, Lois Kolis, Teresa Kragenbring, Luke, Marianne Lafex, Amy Lainus, Iva Lang, Melva Larson, Rachel Larson, Darlene Lawson, Linda Lindholme, Gary Lindstrom, Eileen Lund, Pat Lyon, Malia, Kamran M., Kyle M., Edna Manns, Anthony Marino, Kaye Mason, Harvey May, Mayer Family, Dawn McClelland, Chuck Meiers, Nate, Neala, Randy Naae, Steve Nathe, Pat Nelson, Sara & Steve Newman, Craig Nordby, Ken Olsen, Charlie Olson, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera, Colette Ott,

Pam Paul, Joan Penrose, Bill Peterka, Dick Pirola, Ron, Jim Rapp, Nancy Rattray, Doris Rausch, Scott Rivard, Lynn Roloff, David & Kath Rossini, Leslie & Steve Royal, Sara, Mary S., Conrad Sampair, Kay Samuelson, Ottavio Savina, Pat Schulstad, Dana Sell, Sandy Shipper, Sam Slagerman, Jon Smith, Joan Speltz, Jeff Stearns, Chuch Stickler, Becca Sweeney, David Sylvester, Irene Taddiken, Anne Taylor, Tom Tedford, Matthew Tennant, Mary Eve Thomas, Echo Thoren, Bibi Tristani, Stacia Utz, Carin Vagle, Leroy Vague, Al Vonhoff, Floyd Ward, Marlys Weber, Bennett Wentworth,

Mary White, Dave Wilkie, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Jim Wolfe, Ann Woolsey, Regis Yunker, Annemaire & Ava Zubrzycki

Prayer Corner Requests: To keep prayer requests current, names will be included in the bulletin for four weeks and then removed. To add a name or to renew your request, please call Nancy Becker at 612.823.8205 ext. 223.

A Book of Prayer is located in our Gym vestibule. If you have a family member or friend who is ill or who has recently died, please write their names in our Book of Prayer before Mass so we may include them in prayers during our Sunday Masses.

Prayer Corner: Please remember in your prayers those who are in need of healing:

Sunday 9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

December 31: The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated in our gym with Fr. Jim DeBruycker presiding and Deb Harley and Terrie Coats sharing musical solos.

January 1: Fr. James Cassidy will preside at our New Year’s Day Mass at 10 am in the Gym.

January 7: Epiphany Sunday brings our very special musical guests to SJA again. The choir of Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls, under the direction of Darcy Reese, will sing us joyfully into the new year!

January 14: Our commemoration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. begins at our liturgies with special readings and music, and concludes with our concert that evening.

January 21: Business and community leaders, Sam (also former U.S. ambassador to Morocco) and Sylvia Kaplan, share their life of faith and service.

Coming Attraction: We are thrilled to welcome Sr. Simone Campbell back to SJA on Sunday, Feb. 25! Sr. Simone is the executive director of the Catholic social justice lobby NETWORK, and she is a prophetic, galvanizing presence in Washington, D.C.

For a video of past speakers and presentations go to www.saintjoanofarc.org/speaker-archive.

Gluten-free Communion is available upon request. Please see any of the Sunday sacristans in the gym before Mass.

SignUpGenius for Eucharistic Ministers is available online. It is simple, user friendly and a reminder is sent 3 days before your scheduled volunteer day. FFI contact Marcia at mkurtz@stjoan.com.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve Masses - Sunday, December 24 • 4 pm: Fr. Cassidy, especially for families, in the gym • 4 pm: Fr. DeBruycker and the SJA musicians in the

church • 6 pm: Fr. Cassidy and the SJA choir in the gym • 10 pm: Fr. DeBruycker and the SJA musicians in the gym

Christmas Day Masses - Monday, December 25 • 7:45 am: Fr. DeBruycker, quiet mass, no music in the church • 9 am: Fr. DeBruycker and the SJA musicians in the gym • 11 am: Fr. Cassidy and the SJA choir in the gym

The Parish Center Offices Will Be Closed Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26, Monday, Jan. 1 and Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Parish Life

Summary of contributions for the week and fiscal year. Includes plate, envelopes and estimated Sustaining Member payments.

Week of December 3, 2017 Actual $31,816 Budget $30,177 Prior Year Actual $33,266

Week of December 10, 2017 Actual $35,606 Budget $29,707 Prior Year Actual $32,250

Week of December 17, 2017 Actual $45,362 Budget $40,998 Prior Year Actual $40,362

YTD (July 1 – November 26, 2017) Actual $846,585 Budget $846,843 Prior Year Actual $847,327

Thank You For Your Continued Support!

Mobile Loaves Twin Cities: If you know computer programming or website design, Mobile Loaves Twin Cities is looking for someone to join the team as a webmaster. MLTC is a Sustaining Partner of the SJA Outreach Fund, and hundreds of SJAers are involved in this incredible mobile food ministry. FFI, contact info@mobileloavestc.org.

Clare Housing Supper Club: You - along with family and friends - are invited to prepare and serve a simple dinner once a month at one of Clare Housing's residences for people living with HIV/AIDS. Many SJAers have treasured this opportunity to be part of Clare Housing's loving community. FFI, please contact Debbie Wyman, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 612.236.9528. SJA ISAIAH Intro to the Legislative Session: On Sunday, Jan.

21, following the 11 am mass, join our ISAIAH core team in the Parish Center for a brief intro to the issues we will raise during the MN legislative session in our work to build the common good and enhance human

dignity. Please join us!

Baptism: To have your child baptized at St. Joan’s you must be a registered member and participate in a 90-minute Baptism preparation class. FFI and to register call JP at the Parish Center.

Wedding Policies: Weddings at St. Joan of Arc are provided as a service to members of the parish community. For a wedding to take place at SJA, it is necessary that one of the engaged cou-ple be a registered member of the parish for at least six months before a wedding date can be set. A date can only be scheduled by one of the priests after an initial interview with the engaged couple. A minimum of six months from the time the date is set to the wedding is necessary in order to complete requirements. In cases where there has been a previous marriage ending in di-vorce, it is not possible to set the wedding date until notice of an annulment is in hand. FFI call Sherri Stella at the Parish Center.

Choir will resume rehearsals for the MLK holiday concert on Thursday, January 4 and 11 at 7 pm in the church. If you are inter-ested in being a part of this special choir performing at the January 14 concert, join us for both rehearsals. Teens especially welcomed! January 1: New Year's Day Service at 10 am in the gym. Ring

in the new year with prayer, music and an open mic to share your hopes as we journey into 2018 together. This is a warm and intimate service and all are welcome.

SJA Concert Series: Tickets are on sale at www.stjoan.com. The Annual MLK Holiday Concert Is Coming Soon! This year promises to be a gala of stars as singer Bruce Henry takes us on a musical journey through 400 years of freedom songs. Tonia Hughes, Robert Robinson, TMychael Rambo, PaviElle, Mari Harris, dancer Kenna-Camara Kottman, Dean Magraw, Jeff Bailey, the SJA choir and so many more will be on hand for this extraordinary evening of music for the whole family. Join us on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 7 pm. Urban Farmer’s Almanac, Sunday, April 29, 7 pm: Through music, comedy and conversation, Dan Chouinard and guests celebrate the bountiful city and explore ways of leading a greener urban life. With author and Star Tribune writer, Beth Dooley, Ruhel Islam of Gandhi Mahal Restaurant and Urban Farm, lots of musicians, storytellers and more. SJA Outreach Fund: This is the Good News! Our SJA Outreach Fund is a restricted, designated fund that is separate from our operating budget. Donations are not subject to the archdiocesan assessment and in this way, we maximize your contributions as we seek to meet the needs of the world. This is what we do: • CARE Committee - Parishioner volunteers meet with fellow parishioners and neighbors (more than 120 total each year)

who call us for emergency financial assistance for housing and utilities.

• Sustaining Partners - There are four organizations with which SJA has a special relationship: Women Against Military Mad-ness; Sister Parish; Arm in Arm in Africa and Mobile Loaves Twin Cities.

• Justice Grants - Twice a year we award grants to amazing nonprofits in which our parishioners are volunteers and leaders.

Check out our most recent list on the SJA website. Merry Christmas and thanks to all our donors, our partner organiza-tions, and the parishioners who administer these funds. Abundance abounds, thanks to you all. Food Shelf Donations Are Needed: You are encouraged to bring

non-perishable food items with you when you come to Mass on Sunday and place them in our food shelf bins, located in the entrances to our Church and Parish Center. Your food offerings are donated to the Foodshelf at Sabathani Community Center each week. Thank you for your willingness to help

those in need.

FFI on Pastoral Ministries contact Sherri Stella at 612.823.8205 ext. 231 or sstella@stjoan.com

Mental Health Ministry: Please join us on Monday, January 8, 5:45 pm – 8 pm in Hospitality Hall for a discus-sion on Creating Caring Communities. All are welcome. FFI about our collaborative Mental Health Ministry, please contact Sherri Stella at the Parish Center.

Did You Know? • 18.1% of adults in the U.S. have experienced an anxiety

disorder such as, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias.

• 6.9% of adults in the U.S. had at least one major depres-sive disorder in the past year.

• The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is between 8-10 years.

The Parish Visitor Ministry offers confidential listening, prayer, communion, and support in times of life challenges or transi-tions. Through phone calls and visits, this quiet support is avail-able to parishioners who cannot join us for worship or would like an additional long or short term parish connection in the home, hospital, rehab or care center. FFI contact Sherri Stella at the Parish Center or Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.2868.

Seeing All as God's Children: No Human Being is Illegal. On Sunday, January 7 at 1 pm, you are invited to a one hour interfaith service at the Basilica of St. Mary, sponsored by the Basilica, ISAI-AH and Ascension Catholic Church. Through testimony, prayer and music, we commit ourselves to embrace immigrants and refu-gees as beloved children of God. If you'd like to ride the bus from SJA for this powerful expression of solidarity, contact Julie Mad-den at the Parish Center. Please join us! Registration re-quired. RSVP at: http://www.tinyurl.com/seeingall. ISAIAH Faith Delegate Caucus Trainings: We are one of more than 100 congregations affiliated with ISAIAH, a coalition working together for economic, social and racial justice. ISAIAH is prepar-ing people of faith to become involved in the electoral process and to advocate for an agenda that includes issues of human dignity and the common good. Attend a training on one of the following dates: Jan. 4, 9 or 23, 6:30 - 9 pm or Jan. 18, 1 - 3:30 pm. A Year of Renewal, A Year of Resistance: On Wednesday,

Jan. 31 at 7 pm, we invite you to a time of prayer, meditation and song, in thanks for your discipleship this past year and in expectation and hope for the year ahead. We know that you are deeply engaged in bringing justice and peace to all God's people, and we offer

you this time to restore and replenish the well from which you draw to serve the world. We will include time to meet fellow loved ones on the journey and share your story together. Please join us - we need a community beneath and around us at this time. SJA Peace and Justice Ministries: We invite you to join us on the journey! For information on any of these ministries, please contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center: • Sister Parish - We have a 24 year relationship of solidarity

with a parish in Tierra Nueva Dos, Guatemala. We welcome a delegation from TNII in February - our first winter delegation!

• EcoSpirits - This ministry calls us to protect God's creation and deepen our awareness of the interdependence of all

living beings. • ISAIAH - We are one of more than 100 metro area congrega-

tions working together in faith for racial, economic and social justice.

• Welcome the Stranger - With a focus on immigrants, refugees and asylees, we seek to change policies and change hearts to better welcome newcomers in our midst.

• Building an Antiracist Church - We challenge ourselves, our church and our community to transform racist beliefs, practic-es and structures.

• WAMM (Women Against Military Madness) Peacemakers - Following the nonviolence of Jesus and the early church, we call for an end to war and militarism.

• LGBTQ Group - We seek to create a more inclusive, welcom-ing community for LGBTQ people of faith.

• Housing Ministry - We partner with Urban Homeworks in re-habbing properties to provide beautiful and affordable housing for low-income families. Our next volunteer date is Saturday, Feb. 3 - no experience necessary!

Pastoral Ministries

Peace and Justice

FFI on Peace & Justice programs contact Julie Madden at 612.823.8205 ext 228 or jmadden@stjoan.com.

From Marianne Williamson: "As this year falls away, let's begin the process of dissolving a worn-out story. We need to atone for our heartlessness and arrogance, treat with mercy those who have trespassed against us, and get to work on cleaning up the mess and re-creating the world. This new world cannot be forced; it can only be invoked into ex-pression by the deepest kind of reverence. We are here to create the good, the true, and the beautiful. We will be told what to do and we will be told how to do it. We will be led to each other and we will collaborate in miraculous ways. Let this be the realization that lights our way this holiday season. Like the Maccabees who miraculously found that they had enough oil to keep the lights burning for

eight nights and nine days, and Mary giving birth to a newborn child who has the power within Him to bring forth a new world, may all of us this holiday season find in ourselves, and in our God, unlimited possibilities to redeem ourselves and recreate our world." Merry Christmas to the beloved community of St. Joan of Arc and all who call this place home. You are the light of the world and we know that the light - the light of compassion, the light of justice, the light of hope - will prevail. Blessings of joy and peace to you!

Faith Formation and Adult LearningFaith Formation and Adult LearningFaith Formation and Adult LearningFaith Formation and Adult Learning

We form the faith of our community through participation in prayer, liturgy,

sacraments, education, community and works of justice.

Family Mass: There will be no Family Masses in the church today. Please join us at 4 pm in the Gym for our family-friendly Christmas Eve Mass, featuring a prelude program of child musi-cians (at 3:30 pm), the Christmas Pageant, and the Children’s Choir. There will be no

Family Masses on Dec. 31. See you back in the church on Jan. 7 to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany! New to SJA? Meet a Mentor Family! Do you love SJA but find it hard to connect with other parish families? Would you like to be part of the many exciting SJA ministries, but don’t know how to get started? Sign up with a mentor family! Your mentor family will join you for coffee and cookies after a Family Mass to share with you the ways their family found a home at SJA. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Shoes for the Homeless: Calvary Church in Minneapolis wel-comes donations of gently used shoes for people in need. Only sturdy shoes and winter boots in good condition please. Ques-tions? Contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Nursery: FFI contact Michelle Dehn, Nursery Director at mdehn@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 ext. 240.�

Our Nursery, located in the lower level of the Parish Cen-ter, is open for the 9 & 11 am Sunday Masses. The Nurse-ry is wonderful community of families and volunteers that allows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other families in the Parish. Drop-ins are always welcome. The Nursery will be closed both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Pre-school��(Ages 4-Kindergarten) FFI contact Olivia Brown at obrown@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 ext. 230��

Grade School��(Grades 1-6) FFI contact Marie Bissonnette at 612.823.8205 ext. 229 or mbissonnette@stjoan.com��

Youth Ministry��(Grades 7-12) FFI contact Rose Aspholm at 612.823.8205 ext. 241 or raspholm@stjoan.com.

Volunteer Opportunity for 9-12 graders and their families: Ronald McDonald House Cooks for Kids meal program creates a home away from home for families whose children have life-threatening illness and need to stay near the hospital. Volunteers provide the food, prepare and serve the meal for the families. You must be at least 14 years old to serve and be accompanied by one or both parents who will serve with you. We are looking for 1-2 more fami-lies to join this awesome ministry. Meets the 3rd Sunday of the month ,10 am - 3 pm. FFI contact Rose at raspholm@stjoan.com.

Adult Learning:�FFI contact Cynthia Bailey Manns at 612.823.8205 ext. 226 or cmanns@stjoan.com.

2nd Monday Dialogues with SAGES: Enjoy coffee and dialogue with presenter, Dennis Callahan. He was a member of the Peace Corps and will present a slide show and answer questions about the two years he lived in Ghana, West Africa. Join us on Monday, Jan. 8, 1:30 - 3:30 pm in Hospitality Hall. Everyone is welcome! Addiction Resources - 1st Monday Gathering: January 8 at 7 pm in The Arc with the theme Addictive Personality. All are welcome! Parish Book Club meets on the 2nd Wednesday of a month at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center. Everyone is welcome anytime! • January 10: Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry • February 7: The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle. (note in February we will meet on the 1st Wednesday because the 2nd Wednesday is Ash Wednesday)

Men's Retreat: Where Do We Find Support? Saturday, January 27, 9 am - 1 pm in the Arc. $15 includes lunch. RSVP at Parish Center.

Save the Date: The Women of SJA are having their winter workshop - Self-Care in Troubling Times, Part II, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 - 11 am. All Women are Welcome! Where Does My Coffee Cup Go? We strive to be a zero-waste campus and your help is needed making sure that coffee cups are disposed of properly on Sunday mornings. Here's the info you need: 1. All hot cups brought in from outside SJA are TRASH (not recyclable), unless marked "Certified Compostable" 2. Cold plastic beverage cups and lids are RECYCLABLE. Straws are not. 3. All cups from within SJA are COMPOSTABLE - organic, made from corn. Thank you for your help! Recycle: Please use the labeled receptacles for compost, paper, glass, plastic, cans, waste and cups. By doing so we will be ecologically responsible and a big help to our maintenance staff as well. Thank you.