Before I forget, Happy New Year! As you all know by now my proclivity to camping is just about non-existent. However, in my 65 years (hint-hint: Your old pastor – moi - turned 65 this week and the young associate pastor turns 65 on March 23) God has seen fit to put me in a tent on five different continents. So far I’m holding out as best as I can against never having to camp in Antarctica or Australia.

I much prefer the desert experience, less rain and you can usually see the creatures coming at you from a distance. I hate interrupting large reptiles or mammals in the toilet by accident. The most magnificent part of desert camping is the night sky. The stars seem to be on fire and what seems like just a few twinkles way off is the city with a myriad of flaming bright lights - way too many to count but as you watch them you hardly notice the spiders, scorpions or snakes right in front of you.

You can begin to see how our ancestors looked to the sky and began the observa-tions which were the beginnings of our science, mathematics, physics, astronomy, even agriculture and psychology. From the observations of the stars’ movements people planted, navigated and even made personal decisions - ask Nancy Reagan. Until recently, most governments had official court astrologers.

If an aberration or new phenomena suddenly appeared in the sky the scientists of the day would be sure to call a regional conference and try to decide, “What’s up?” Hence, we have the story of the three Magi. To some they are Gandalf, Dumbledore and Merlin, while to others Hawking, Bohr, and Einstein but what they were for Matthew were the greatest independent witnesses to God’s working in the world.

With the arrival of the Magi, Matthew was telling his world, “Even the wisest gentiles have seen evidence of who this child is! This child is of import not only to the Jews but to the whole of creation - end of story!” Today we call this recognition an Epiphany.

Did it really happen? Don’t know, doubt it. It has more to do with a literary construct than history. Jesus is the new Moses and Matthew creates a narrative which puts Jesus into that mold. But it tells us what to look and hope for in Jesus’ life. There are many tales in various ancient non-canonical texts of Jesus’ early years - everybody likes a backstory. Most were made up centuries after his death. Why we hang on to the canonical Gospel stories is because they reflect more truly on who Jesus was to become.

We do not have to hang on to their historical reality, but we do have to hang unto what they portent, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Presider: Fr. James Cassidy

On this Epiphany Sunday we welcome the spirit and hope-filled voices of the nationally acclaimed Thief River Falls Lincoln High School Choir under the direction of Darcy Reese. Welcome and thank you!!

There is no Family Mass today. Family Masses will resume Sunday, Jan. 11.

The Sunday Morning Registration and Information Office is located in the Parish Center. In the office you may register to become a SJA parish-ioner; get program information; sign up for a program; and register to volun-teer. The office is open after both of our Sunday morning liturgies.

Sun, Jan. 4: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Mon, Jan. 5: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23; Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 Tue, Jan. 6: 1 John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44 Wed, Jan. 7: 1 John 4:11-18; Mark 6:45-52 Thu, Jan. 8: 1 John 4:19-5:4; Luke 4:14-22 Fri, Jan. 9: 1 John 5:5-13; Luke 5:12-16 Sat, Jan. 10: 1 John 5:14-21; John 3:22-30

Sun, Jan. 11: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11

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

9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

Sunday, January 11: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speak-er: Baptism of the Lord. Ian Stade, parishioner will share a

letter to his daughter and a challenge to our community in celebration of her baptism.

Sunday, January 18: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass: We will hear the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders for civil and human rights. T Mychael Rambo joins the SJA Choir.

Sunday, January 25: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speak-er: Dr. Ed Ehlinger, MN Commissioner of Health.

Sunday, February 8: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speak-ers: Parishioners – Charlotte Kinzley, John Song and Damien Poling - whose work with those on the margins in our community is discipleship in action.

FFI check the bulletin, the SJA website or call the Parish Center. The Upper Room is located in the Parish Center; Hospitality Hall is in the Church basement.

Tuesday, January 6

Mass, 8 am in the Church

RCIA and All, 7 pm in the Church

Thursday, January 8

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Choir, 7 pm in the Church

Saturday, January 10

EcoSpirits Retreat Day, 10:30 am at Woodlake Nature Center

Parking: Be considerate of our neighbors and their property. Please don’t block driveways or park in their on-street handi-capped areas. Thank you!

Bud B., Dennis Barta, Jean Besch-Patsch, Phyllis Berninger, Charlie Bloss, Betty Bonnert, Sara Brock, Don Burke, Maureen Carlson, Dorothy Casserly, Dayna Cell, Miles Chambers, Denise, John D., Megan Daoust, Kris & Larry Dease, Dale Dolata, Lois Doyle, Maire Doyle,

Paul Doyle, Jill Finley, John & Margaret Frees, Jim Gorman, Bryen Granlund, Tom Griep, Tom H., Pat Haliday, Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Megan Hoffman, Mary Hoody, Jody Hughes, Isaac, Dan Jay, Tom Jay, Tex Jones, Paul Jonsson, Stacy Kenyon, Cole Kitchel, Lynne, Kirk L,

Amy Lainus, John Lasota, Kathy Lindeen, Gary Lindstrom, Liz Loney, Chantilly Lynch, Rose McGonagle, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Kayla McMullan, Jackie Mead, Chuck Meiers, Shell Meehl, Kelley Meyer, Mike M., Sharon Miller, Dorothy Mongoven, Jason Monroe, Pamela Morgan, Gene Muelken, Greg Murphy, Pat Murphy, Nick, Charlie Nelson, Craig Norby, David Novitske, Heidi Nyberg, Olivia,

Doris Oakes, Sr. Dolores Oaks, Matt Olk, Stacey Olk, Bill P., Rick Pattison, Joan Penrose, John Pirola, Liz Pojar, Nikki Poynter, Tom Privette, Catherine Pususta, Herb Ranweiler, Helen Russett, Susan Roufs, Herb Rorke, Sheila Rossebo, Pat Sable, Conrad Sampair, Marianne Seekamp,

Sam Slagerman, Emily Slotness, Philip Sosin, John Spalding, Julian Sprunck, Sandy Stroud, Irene Taddiken, Helen Tierney, Matthew Tenant, Mary Eve Thomas, Echo Thoren, Madison Travers, Carin Vagle, Sandy VanWyk, Mimi Villaume, Patricia Vorst, Ben Weston, Darlene Wheeler,

Carol Whitlow, Dan Williams, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Jane 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.

Choir will rehearse for the annual MLK concert (Jan. 18) on Thursdays, Jan. 8 and 15 at 7 pm in the Church. We welcome singers who might like to join this choir for the special concert. Two rehearsals required. See Anna Vagle. Concert Series: Come celebrate the MLK Holiday with our

annual MLK concert, Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7 pm, Marching to a Better World. Dan Chouinard hosts some of your favorite singers on the 50th anniversary of the Selma marches of 1965. A rockin' combo and the SJA choir will help hold

it all together. Tickets for the whole family on sale today after the Gym Masses or at www.stjoan.com. New Member Dinner Wednesday, January 28: Welcome new members! If you’ve registered as a member since October, you and your family are invited to this informal dinner hosted by staff and volunteers at 6 pm in Hospitality Hall. Did you register this past year and were unable to attend a previous dinner? Join us at this one! RSVP to the Parish Center by Jan. 26, 612.823.8205. Save the Date! Valentine's Day Breakfast: On Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 - 11 am, Mobile Loaves and Fishes food outreach ministry (and SJA Sustaining Partner) invites you to a pancake breakfast and silent auction here at SJA in Hospitality Hall. To volunteer, donate items or RSVP for the event, email MLF.mpls@gmail.com. Get Connected! To take advantage of new social media options,

log on to Facebook and “Like” our page at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Community. You can also follow us on Twitter at @sjampls.

Sturdy Shoes Needed for Homeless: Thank you for your donations throughout the past year! Calvary’s Warm Meal Ministry program continues to need gently used shoes for the homeless. Sturdy walking or tennis shoes are best. Men’s styles most need-ed; women’s, teen’s styles and boots for outdoor work appreciated as well. Please drop your donations directly at Calvary, 2608 Blaisdell Av S or bring them to SJA’s Parish Center. FFI contact Mary McDonough at mmcdonough@stjoan.com.

SJA Outreach Fund: The SJA Outreach Fund is a restricted, designated fund and every dollar goes out in the following ways: SJA CARE Fund: Providing emergency financial assistance

for housing and utilities to parishioners and neighbors in need. Justice Grants: We just awarded $33,000 to 9 organizations in

which our parishioners are involved as volunteers and lead-ers. Check the website for the list!

Sustaining Partnerships: We provide support to four organiza-tions with which we share a special relationship (Sister Parish, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Arm in Arm in Africa and Women Against Military Madness).

Wedding Policies at St. Joan of Arc: Weddings at St. Joan of

Arc 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. 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. Mobile Loaves and Fishes needs toiletry size soap, toothpaste toothbrushes, shampoo, lotion, socks, hats and mittens for the winter. Please place your donations in the collection hamper next to the food shelf bin. FFI contact mlf.mpls@gmail.com or 612.615.4348.

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

Dec. 22 - Dec. 28: Actual $142,893 Budget $149,415 Prior Year Actual $124,287

YTD (July 1 - Dec. 28): Actual $969,237 Budget $989,115 Prior Year Actual $959,263

The Bottom Line: Contributions last week were $6,522 be-low budget. Year-to-date contributions were $19,878 below budget or 2%. There are still Christmas contributions coming in so the deficit will likely be less than the 2%. Thank you for your continued support. ~Steve Meyer, Finance Director

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, January 12, in Hospitality Hall. Come and learn about Mental Health Connect, an exciting new program to better serve people living with mental illness. Bethlehem Lutheran Church and SJA are both involved with MHC. Light supper at 5:45 pm; program 6:30 - 8:15 pm. All are welcome. 1.25 hours CEU certificate available for professionals in the field. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

Did You Know? Attending to mental health is just as important as maintaining physical health. The Minnesota Department of Human Services works to ensure accessible mental health ser-vices and support for adults and children through partnerships with counties, tribes, providers, consumer groups, and advocacy organizations. FFI go tohttp://mn.gov/dhs. BeFriender Ministry: Current, active BeFrienders are reminded

our next meeting is Saturday, Jan.17, 1:30 - 3 pm in the Upper Room. If you feel a SJA BeFriender may be of assistance to you, contact Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.2868 or Mary Ann at the Parish Center.

The Gathering: If you would like information about The Gather-ing, an early-to-mid stage memory loss day program, contact Mary Ann at the Parish Center, Julie McChesney at Bethlehem, 612.312.3366 or go to www.lyngblomstem.org/the gathering. SJA/TRUST Grief Support: Thursday, Jan. 22 Cathy Paulsen, Grief Therapist, will speak on The Journey of Grieving: An Emo-tional Roller Coaster at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2914 W. 44th St, Mpls. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center or Norine Larson at 952.925.2437.

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

Happy New Year, SJA! May this be a year of "epiphany" that causes us to see our lives and our faith in new and revolutionary ways. If you are called to join SJA's peace and justice journey, please contact Julie Madden at the parish center for info on our ministries and partners.

SJA EcoSpirits Retreat Day: Join our EcoSpirits for an afternoon of reflection and planning this coming Saturday, Jan. 10 at beautiful Woodlake Nature Center in Richfield, 12:30 - 4:30 pm, followed by a potluck dinner. Our EcoSpirits lead our congregation in caring for all of God's creation and we welcome you to join us. FFI or RSVP contact Julie Madden

at the Parish Center. Martin Luther King and the Nonviolent Jesus: SJA will host the Every Church a Peace Church network on Monday, Jan. 19, with human rights activist Mel Reeves presenting. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a potluck supper. All are welcome. #BlackLivesMatter Matters to Us: The recent tragic deaths of African American men, and the outcry in response, remind us that we as a nation have so far to go in creating racial equity and understanding. We work with ISAIAH, a collaborative of more than 100 local congregations, on issues of social and racial justice, and we invite you to join our next gathering on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 7 pm in The Arc for a discussion and actions on this very topic and on our work to build God's kingdom together. Towards Health Care for All: On Sunday, Jan. 25, our pre-Mass

speaker is Dr. Ed Ehlinger, commissioner of the MN Department of Health and champion of true health care reform that provides affordable, quality care for all. Following the 11:00 Mass, our SJA Conversa-tions on Health Care network will host a discussion

in the Church with Dr. Ehlinger, please join us! Momentum is growing for a transformation of health care in our nation and this SJA group is leading the way. Dakota 38 Screening: This film is the story of a 330 mile journey on horseback to heal and reconcile the memory of the 1862 mass killings of 38 Dakota men by the U.S. Hosted by our partner Urban Homeworks and their Urban Neighbors program, the evening includes appetizers, beverages and a discussion on healing with the subject of the film, Jim Miller. Jan. 11 at 5 pm at the Capri Theater; $3 suggested donation. Second Chance Coalition: Join a statewide effort to effect change in our criminal justice system and laws that continue to disenfranchise those who have been convicted of a crime and served their sentence. Coalition meeting Jan. 14, 5 pm at Goodwill Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. in St. Paul.

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.

Baptisms Celebrated at SJA in November and December: Greta Aubin; Gerald Boone; Nicolas Evan; Noelle Fluto; Louis and Remi Goetze; Adeline Heller; Hazel Kalweit; Cole and Kaelynn Kitchell; Bennett Knaeble; Moses Marty; Eloise Mcaab; Kayan Moin; Dakota Peterson; Natalie Phillips; Reeve Schmidt; Patrick and William Skelly. Volunteers Needed to launder linens once a month or every other month. Simply pick up the linens after the 11 am Mass, launder and return by the following Sunday. FFI or to volunteer call Miriam at 651.699.4945.

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

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.

Adoptive Families Book Club: Join us on Saturday, Jan. 17

at 10 am to discuss the novel, Orfan by Corie Skolnick. We’ll meet at Turtle Bread on Chicago Avenue. Questions? Email Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

: 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 al-lows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other young families in the Parish. Drop-ins are 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.

Jan. 4: No Class or Family Mass Jan. 11: Classes and Family Masses resume Jan. 18: No class MLK Holiday - regular Family Mass schedule - voluntary banner making in room 103 Jan. 25: Regular class and Family Masses

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

Poling at 612.823.8205 ext. 241 or dpoling@stjoan.com. Slopefest (grades 7-12): Join us for a weekend full of fun, faith, friends, skiing and snowboarding. Friday, Feb. 13 - 16. $250 for skiers/snowboarders, + $10/day to rent skis, $20/day to rent snowboards. We will be hitting the slopes of Spirit Mountain in Duluth, staying at YMCA Camp Miller. Pick up permission slip in the Parish Center. FFI contact Donelle at dpoling@stjoan.com. Must register by Feb. 6.

: FFI contact Julie McConaha at

612.823.8205 ext 226 or jmcconaha@stjoan.com.

#SJA<40 Happy New Year! All adults under forty are welcome to join this growing, welcoming ministry. Get on the mailing list at SJAUnderForty@stjoan.com, and please stop by our New Year's Resolution Brunch today!

Today! Brunch at Turtle Bread after 11 am Mass Jan. 22: Financial Planning Now, Parish Center 6 - 7:30 pm Feb. 1: Monthly Brunch after 11 am Mass Feb. 17: Mardi Gras! Details to come!

Women, Save the Date! Women of SJA gather Saturday, Feb. 7, 8:45 - 12 pm. Catherine Michaud, CSJ, Ph.D. inspires the ultimate talk on women in the emerging Church. Watch upcoming bulletins for more details.

Men, Save the Date! SJA Annual Men's Retreat is coming, Saturday, Jan. 31, 9 am - 12:30 pm. Come to the Tree of Life! Watch upcoming bulletins for more details.

RCIA and All: Everyone is invited to hear Fr. Jim DeBruycker teach about our Catholic Sacraments of Initiation along side our great RCIA class. Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 pm in the Church.

Experiencing Stories Together! SJA Parish Book Club is launch-ing our third year together and you are invited to join us for any of these upcoming selections at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center: Ordinary People by Judith Guest on Jan. 14. Until They Bring The Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon

West on Feb. 11. The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian on March 11.

Opportunities for Individual Spiritual Development at SJA: Did you know that we offer two ongoing groups in which to study theology and the bible? These run year-round and can be joined anytime. Contact Julie McConaha at jmcconaha@stjoan to get connected! Scripture Matters: A studious, friendly group who elect their

next study materials to take them further in their spiritual jour-ney. Meets most Tuesday nights at 7 pm.

Bible Journey: These small groups use the N. T. Wright For Everyone bible study guides and explore the New Testament chapter by chapter. Session I meets Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, Session II meets Wednesdays at 1:30 pm.