“She said a good day.

Ain't got no rain She said a bad day's when I lie in bed

And think of things that might have been Slip slidin' away

Slip slidin' away.” ~Paul Simon You want to have a really bad day? Just take a little time to stop and think of what might have been. You know all those challenges you didn’t take, the possibilities you walked away from because you were too lazy or didn’t care. You know, those times when you took the easy way out. Feel bad enough? Now, let’s do a couple of exercises beginning with, “If only I…” Now let’s top it off with “I should have” and “I could have….” Okay, stop! Enough cruelty for one day. If none of this affected you, good for you. You either have a very intact denial system or are well on your way to sainthood. All of us are plagued by the things we didn’t do even as we celebrate the challenges well met.

My favorite cliché is: If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans for the future. Lucky is that person whose whole life comes together as planned. It means you met the challenges of what you wanted and fate did not throw you a curve ball or maybe you even met that chal-lenge well and won. Another truism is: The value of what you won is proportionate to how you won it.

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

~John 12:22 The whole Lenten season is a meditation on the total giving, risk and obedience of the God-Man. His total giving meant total openness for us, total forgiveness and total possibility despite if only, I should have or I could have. As for taking up your life challenges, you’re not dead yet.

Presider: Fr. James Cassidy Now is the Moment… Now! We welcome special solos from two of our own SJA music makers at to-day's Gym liturgies. Thank you Steve Kremer and Terrie Coats for your inspiration as we consider Now is the Moment!

Meet your children in the Church at 9 or 11 am for a pre-Mass presentation, The Way of the Cross. This unique Stations of the Cross brings the story of Jesus’ passion to life through a vari-ety of personal stories using adult and youth actors and SJA musicians. We encourage families to share in this powerful experience of drama, music and prayer. Family Mass follows. All are welcome!

Sun, March 22: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33 Mon, March 23: Daniel 13:41c-62; John 8:1-11 Tue, March 24: Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30 Wed, March 25: Isaiah 7:10-14;8-10; Heb 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 Thu, March 26: Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59 Fri, March 27: Jeremiah 20:10-13; John 10:31-42 Sat, March 28: Ezekiel 37:21-28; John 11:45-56

Sun, March 29: Mk 11:1-10; Isaiah 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 15:1-39

Tuesday and Thursday morning 8 am Mass is celebrated in the Church

Sunday 9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

March 29: Palm Sunday, 9 am Presider: Fr. DeBruycker 11 am Presider: Fr. Cassidy Family Mass: Pre-Mass presentation begins at 9 and 11 am in the Church.

FFI check the bulletin, the SJA website or call the Parish Center.

Tuesday, March 24

Mass, 8 am in the Church

LGBT Group, 7 pm in the Arc

Wednesday, March 25

Soup Supper, beginning at 5 pm in Hospitality Hall

Now is the Time… to Serve, 6:30 pm in the Gym

Thursday, March 26

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Choir, 7 pm in the Church

Friday, March 27

Mass, 6 pm in the Church

Stations of the Cross, 7 pm in the Church

Bud B., Dan P., Sally Backstrom, Dennis Barta, Phyllis Berninger, Peyton Berkland, Jean Besch-Patsch, Wally Beyer, Charlie Bloss, Sara Brock, Don Burke, Lee, Mark & Palma Cady, Courtney, Dayna Cell, Bob Crowley, Denise, John D., Roger D., Megan Daoust, Larry & Chris Dease, Irvin Dehn, Brittnay Delaney, Lois Doyle, Paul Doyle, Brian Flaata, Jermaine Foslien, Patricia Freeman, John & Margaret Frees, Stephen Goodman, Jim Gorman, Bryen Granlund, Tom Griep, Tom H., Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Ethan Hoeschen, Megan Hoffman, Mary Hoody, Jody Hughes, Dan & Tom Jay,

Paul Jonsson, Glen Kelley, Kirk L, Bernie Kunkel, Amy Lainus, Iva Lang, Gary Lindstrom, Chantilly Lynch, Kari, Kyle M., Jeanette Maloney, Jennifer Magnuson, Marie Marschel, Marge McClintick, Rose McGonagle, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Kayla McMullan, Jackie Mead, Sharon Miller,

George Monaghan, Dorothy Mongoven, Jason Monroe, Pamela Morgan, Gene Muelken, Mary Mueller, Joan Mulvey, Greg Murphy, Jan Nei, Nate, Nick, Julius Nolen, Craig Norby, David Novitske, Olivia, Doris Oakes, Sr. Dolores Oaks, Matt Olk, Stacey Olk, Paul Olvera, Rick Pattison, Jim Patrykus,

Roberta Pearson, Joan Penrose, John Pirola, Tom Privette, Herb Rorke, Sheila Rossebo, Susan Roufs, Judy Roy, Helen Russett, Pat Sable, Bonnie Sander, Leanna Sartia, Marianne Seekamp, Shea Sexton, Sam Slagerman, Nettie Sloan, Emily Slotness, Anita & Vincent Schmidt,

Phil Sochran, Irene Taddiken, Helen Tierney, Matthew Tenant, Gregory Thomas, Mary Eve Thomas, Michele Thonias, Echo Thoren, Madison Travers, Carin Vagle, Carol Whitlow, Dan Williams, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Katie Wright, Jerry Young, Kathleen Ziegler, Ava & Annemaire Zubrzycki

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

Attention 5 pm Mass Eucharistic Ministers/Sacristans: The 2015 Calendar is ready for sign-up in the Church sacristy. SignUpGenius for Eucharistic Ministers is available on line. It's simple, user friendly and a reminder is sent 3 days before your scheduled volunteer day. FFI contact Marcia at mkurtz@stjoan.com. Gluten-free Communion is available upon request. Please see any of the Sunday sacristans in the Gym before Mass. For Family Mass please see Gabrielle.

Wednesday, April 1: Seder Meal, 6 pm in the Gym, RSVP required

Thursday, April 2: Holy Thursday Mass, 7 pm in the Gym

Friday, April 3: Contemporary Stations of the Cross, 3 & 7 pm, Gym

Saturday, April 4: Easter Vigil, 7:30 pm in the Gym

Sunday, April 5: 7, 9 & 11 am Easter Masses in the Gym 9 & 11 am Easter Family Masses in the Church

Choir will rehearse this Thursday, March 26 at 7 pm in the Church with our band members and Robert Robinson. Please be prompt.

Last Call for Soup Supper! Wednesday, March 25: Join us for the last Soup Supper of the season 5 - 6:30 pm in Hospitality Hall. All are welcome, just for supper or in addition to your Lenten evening activity. Free will donations to benefit to benefit Vail

Place, www.vailplace.org, a neighborhood provider of mental health recovery services. Soup and bread donations needed! To donate soup or bread, call the Parish Center 612.823.8205. Many thanks to last week’s SJA Youth, volunteers and guests. Donations from a previous supper totaled $540 to benefit Southside Family School’s annual Civil Rights Trip!

Lenten Wednesdays! Church open, 5 - 6 pm, for personal meditation Soup Supper in Hospitality Hall, 5 - 6:30 pm Growing in Lent through Learning & Prayer March 25: Now Is the Time…To Serve! From 6:30 to 8 pm, come to the Gym for a service evening to benefit local non-profits. Fun includes making playdoh and birthday bags for Sabathani, hygiene kits for Mobile Loaves and Fishes, dog toys for Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue (we’ll have dogs there!), fleece blankets for Harbor Lights, placemats for Walker Methodist and personal letters for veterans. Everyone is welcome! Come when you can, leave when you like. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Seder, the celebration of Jewish Passover and prelude to Chris-

tian Eucharist will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at 6 pm in the SJA Gym. A fun-filled, meaningful evening for the whole family. RSVP to the Parish Center as a communal dinner will be served.

Easter Eggs for Mobile Loaves & Fishes: Bring decorated, un-cracked, hard boiled eggs in a carton with date cooked on the outside (refrigerated for no more than 1 week) to the Church vestibule on Easter Sunday. They will go out to our neighbors in need that evening. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Concert Series: Tickets for Walking Shoes featuring internation-ally beloved storyteller Kevin Kling, host Dan Chouinard and singer Prudence Johnson go on sale today in the Egan Room after Masses. The concert is on Sunday, April 26 at 7 pm in the SJA Gym. Get ready for your own summer adventure - purchase tickets today! www.stjoan.com. All seats (open seating) $20.

Happy Anniversary, MLF! 5 years ago, Mobile Loaves and Fish-es began in Minneapolis as a partnership between St. Joan of Arc and Knox Presbyterian Church. As we close in on 150,000 meals served in our community from our truck, MLF continues to wel-come hundreds of SJA volunteers into this holy work. We extend our deepest gratitude to the SJA parishioners who have led and grown this ministry and built powerful, loving relationships all over our city. Continued blessings to all of you.

March is Minnesota FoodShare Month: One in 10 Minnesotans - more than 500,000 state residents - experience food insecurity on a regular basis. Our weekly collection of non-perishable food goes to Sabathani Community Center, and they are grateful for your donations. Look for the red bins in the Parish Center lobby. The Sunday Morning Registration and Information Office is located in the Parish Center. In the office you may register to become a SJA parishioner; get program information; sign up for a program; and register to volunteer. The office is open after both of our Sunday morning liturgies.

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 at St. Joan of Arc: Weddings at SJA are provided as a service to members of the parish community. Because of the large number of weddings, it is not possible to provide the services of a Presider or our facilities for people who are not registered parishioners. For a wedding to take place at SJA, it is necessary that one of the engaged couple 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 divorce, it is not possible to set the wedding date until notice of an annulment is in hand. FFI call Mary Ann at the Parish Center. Consider Carpooling or Riding the City Bus to Church: Go to metrotransit.org for more information. Thank you!

An Interfaith Peace Vigil Against War: 4:30 - 5:30 pm on Wednesdays at the Lake Street/Marshall Ave-nue Bridge. Please join us!

SJA Finance Committee Seeks Two New Members: Finance Council members should have experience in business, accounting, finance or law and be registered members of SJA. The time com-mitment involves a monthly two hour meeting and a few additional hours per month for meeting preparations. If you are interested or FFI please contact Gene Radecki at generadecki@gmail.com or Dennis Heaney at dheaney@stjoan.com.

Did You Know: Since August 2014 SJA has welcomed 45 new households to our parish community. If you see someone you don't recognize sitting near you at Mass or while having coffee after Mass, introduce yourself and, if they are new, welcome them. We are all on this journey together.

FFI on Pastoral Ministries contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at 612.823.8205 ext 231 or via email: mkelly@stjoan.com.

Mental Health Ministry: Monday, April 13 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 41st & Lyndale. Join us for a presentation on how animal companions and pet therapy often play an important role in men-tal health and overall wellness. Light supper, 5:45 pm, announce-ments and program 6:30 - 8:15 pm. 1.5 hours of CEU's offered for professionals and students. All are welcome. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. Did You Know? “Pet therapy is a broad term that includes ani-mal-assisted therapy and other animal-assisted activities. Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field that uses dogs or other ani-mals to help people recover from or better cope with health prob-lems, such as heart disease, cancer and mental health disorders. Animal-assisted activities, on the other hand, have a more gen-eral purpose, such as providing comfort and enjoyment for nurs-ing home residents. " -Mayo Clinic website - Pet Therapy. BeFriender Ministry: Contact Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.2868 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright to find out if a BeFriender minister might be helpful to you. SJA/TRUST Grief Support: On Thursday, March 26 join us for

our Service of Remembrance at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2914 W. 44th St, Mpls. 6:15 pm, registration and refreshments; 6:30 pm, speaker; 7 - 8 pm, facilitated small groups. All are welcome. FFI contact Norine Larson at 952.925.2437 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

TRUST Parish Nurse Position: Pat McLaughlin is retiring as TRUST's Parish Nurse after many dedicated years. Thank you for your great community service, Pat! FFI, a job description or to apply, contact Nancy Biele, Executive Director of TRUST, Inc at: email, trustinc@visi.com; phone, 612.827.6159; website, www.trustinc.org. Application deadline is March 30. Meals On Wheels: Volunteers are needed to deliver lunchtime meals to elderly and homebound people in our neighborhood. Driving routes take about an hour or so to complete. Parents with their children, retired people and working people with a free lunch hour are all needed. FFI/to volunteer, please call TRUST Meals on Wheels at 612.822.6040.

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

SJA ISAIAH News: This legislative session, the 100+ member congregations of ISAIAH - including SJA - are working together for racial and economic justice, specifically on these issues: Restoring the right to vote for ex-felons Making it possible for undocumented people to get a driver's

license Ongoing, equitable funding for transportation Supporting the economic dignity of families through paid fam-

ily and sick leave and affordable child care. We welcome your voice in holding our elected officials accounta-ble to the common good and human dignity. Please stop by tables this morning for more info.

Are You LGBT and Attending SJA? Whether you're a visitor

or a longtime member, we seek your input on how we as a parish can best serve you on your journey of faith. RSVP to Julie Madden at the Parish Center if you can, join us on Tuesday, March 24 at 7 pm here

at SJA for this conversation, and thank you for being with us!

Homeless Youth Act Needs You: There is growing and biparti-san support for the Homeless Youth Act, which would provide housing and services to the 4,000 youth ages 16-21 who are on their own on any given night in Minnesota. Our SJA youth are working on this issue, and your help is needed. Will you call our MN House leadership to express your support for prioritizing in-creased funding for the homeless? Contact Speaker Kurt Daudt at rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn or 651.296.5364 - and thank you!

Iraq: Back in the Eye of the Storm. On Tuesday, April 7, at 7:30

pm in Hospitality Hall, longtime peacemaker and friend of SJA, Sami Rasouli, will be back with us, reporting on life in Iraq. Come and hear firsthand about the reality of what our war has done to this nation.

We Remember: This Tuesday we mark the 35th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador, who stood with those who suffered and was assassinated for his words and witness. He has been declared "a martyr of the Church." From his sermons: "When the church hears the cry of the oppressed it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises." May we be the church Oscar Romero called us to be!

Save the Dates: On Saturday, May 2 and June 6, you can join our SJA Housing Ministry Team with Urban Homeworks, rehabbing a home to provide beautiful

and affordable housing. Teams fill up quickly, so contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center if you

Help Create Our Beautiful Alfombra: on Holy Saturday (April 4), our Sister Parish committee invites you to help create our gorgeous carpet of colored sawdust on the plaza outside the Gym - an Easter tradition in Guatemala. No talent needed, great opportunity for families. To volunteer, contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center.

We form the faith of our community through participation in prayer, liturgy, sacraments, education, community and works of justice.

Camp St. Joan 2015 – Australia, July 20 - 23 on the SJA campus. Register online at www.stjoan.com. Space is limited, please register as soon as possible. Adult and teen volunteers are needed. FFI contact Therese

at 612.823.8205 ext. 230 or tpendleton@stjoan.com. SJA Children’s Choir: If you are in grades 3-7, you can still join our SJA Children’s Choir! The choir will have three Spring performances, April 19, May 10 and June 7. Rehearsals will be in the Egan Room, 12:45 - 2 pm on March 22 & 29, April 12 & 26, May 3, and 10:30 am - noon on May 24 & May 31. Sign up with Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com and come to rehearsal today! Celebrate Palm Sunday With In the Heart of the Beast: On March 29, come to the Church at 9 or 11 am for a unique pre-Mass story of Jesus’ last week. SJA families, actors and musicians join In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre to create an unforgettable Palm Sunday experience. Family Mass follows.

New Life! On Easter Sunday, join us in the Church at 9 or 11 am for Family Mass as our own Farmer Rick brings his baby animals to celebrate new life.

Adoptive Families Book Club: Join us on Saturday, April 18 at Turtle Bread (Chicago Ave) at 10 am to discuss the non-fiction classic, The Primal Wound by Nancy Newton Verrier. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Hope to see you there!

: FFI contact Jennifer Gessner, at 612.823.8205 ext.

240, or jgessner@stjoan.com.

Our Nursery, located in the lower level of the Parish Center, is open for the 9 and 11 am Sunday Masses. The Nursery Coopera-tive is a wonderful community of families and volunteers that allows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other young families in the Parish. Drop-ins welcome!

: (Ages 4-Kindergarten) FFI contact Therese

Pendleton at 612.823.8205 ext. 230 or tpendleton@stjoan.com.

: (Grades 1-6) FFI contact Marie Bissonnette

at 612.823.8205 ext. 229 or mbissonnette@stjoan.com.

Schedule: Today: Special Stations of the Cross in the Church at 9 & 11 am followed by Family Masses; children report to classrooms first; everyone is welcome. March 29: No classes. In the Heart of the Beast Palm Sunday Family Masses at 9 & 11 am in the Church. April 5: No classes. Easter Family Masses at 9 & 11 am, Church. April 12,19 & 26: Regular classes and Family Masses.

First Communication: If you missed the meeting last week, March 15, please contact Marie Bissonnette for information.

Look For information on additions and changes to Elementary Faith Formation grades 1 - 6 for next year, 2015/16. It is being mailed to households. It may also be found on our website Ministry page at www.stjoan.com

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

Poling at 612.823.8205 ext. 241 or dpoling@stjoan.com.

Spiritual Transformation Series: “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.” ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Come explore and discover your spirituality on this human journey through Guided Meditation! An introductory series on how to practice meditation to deepen our spiritual selves. Four nights – come for one or all! Free of charge – friends welcome – April 22, 29, May 5,12 – register online under ministries, youth, outreach. 6:30-7:30 pm in the Arc. FFI contact Donelle Poling dpoling@stjoan.com.

: FFI contact Julie McConaha at

612.823.8205 ext. 226 or jmcconaha@stjoan.com.

SJA Bridge Club: Spring groups are forming now for an April start. For details contact jmcconaha@stjoan.com Another great way to expand your SJA circle of friends!

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter by Lindsay Hardin Freeman is the next great read for Scrip-ture matters. Join us Tuesdays at 7pm beginning April 7.

SJA Parish Book Club: Everyone is welcome to join! The Florist's Daughter by local, award winning author Patricia Hampl. Discus-sion occurs Wednesday, April 8 at 6:30 pm.

Women of SJA: How Are We? Join us for our next Coffee, Con-versations & Connections gathering on Saturday, April 18, 9 - 10:30 am in Hospitality Hall. We will explore our path through the power of questions on women and violence with Marlene Jezier-ski, author of Beyond the Mirror. Everyone receives a free copy! Free-will donation of $5 suggested. RSVP to the Parish Center.

SAGES Elder Justice Committee Workshop: Financial Exploita-tion: Be Wise, Informed, Empowered presented by Carmen Cas-taneda from Hennepin County Human Services and Jay Haapla from Fraud Watch Network on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 pm in Hospitality Hall. RSVP to the Parish Center.

SAGES 2nd Monday Dialogues: New! All older adults are wel-come to join our new monthly series for conversation among friends. This month's topic: Health Care. Monday, April 13, 1:30 - 3:30 pm in Hospitality Hall.

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