Presider: Fr. Jim DeBruycker

Pre-Mass Speaker: On this Holy Fami-ly Sunday, we thank the Jessens for sharing their holy journey as a family here at St. Joan of Arc and in the world. Thank you for the light you bring to us today!

On this Feast of the Holy Family, our own father and son musical duo, Lee and Grant Vague will share a special song at our Gym liturgies. Thank you!

No Family Masses today. See you back in Family Mass on January 10!

My mother’s mother was an old fashioned Irish Catholic, which meant the Church was always right unless it disagreed with her thinking - then it was nuts. To her the only real priest was Monsignor Francis Gilligan, a legendary pastor of St. Mark’s parish where she lived and where many of our diocesan priests came from. As she put it “I changed diapers on half of those smart-aleck priests and they are not going to tell me what to do.” She was a tough lady who demanded the proper behavior, but in a fight you would definitely want her in your corner. She was also Mrs. Christmas. Her delight was to have every relative over for Christmas, which started at 4 pm and went until it ended. Before the age of twelve I never knew how it ended because I always fell asleep and would wake up around 2 am in the back seat of my folk’s car. Dinner was done in shifts with kids at card tables and the adults at the dining room table. There was no buffet, everything was passed around – Grandma’s orders. Of course, since the men ate before the women, I missed half the stories told at Christmas but I can probably tell you many that were told, from the cafeteria lady’s scab disappearing in the chili at 3M to my Uncle Tom’s accidently shooting my grandfather when he was twelve. Having listened to that story for 30 years I still remember Tom always finished with, “I wished I would have aimed.” Afterwards, when the drinks got heavy, we would get the war stories, from action in the Pacific Islands to bombing runs over Germany. About 11 pm gifts were open and then we sang some hymns before beginning the slow exodus home. At a recent family gathering we tried to calculate how many people were actually at Grandma’s and came up with between 56 and 75 depending on the year. Luckily it was one of those huge old five bedroom homes you find near St. Thomas. In her mid-eighties, right before her death, she went on a tour to Rome. The family waited for the headline: Elderly American Confronts Pope. I’m sure she tried, but I believe the Pope was shot that week. She came home and went right back to work. She was a practical nurse to the elderly, who were mostly younger than her. She went bowling one night, came home had a couple of 7&7’s with the neighbors, fell asleep and died. I was close to this grandma because I lived with her as a child when my mother was sick. She called me Seamus all her life - everything was Irish in her eyes. I remember her response to today's reading about finding Jesus in the Temple, “If he was my kid, God or not, he would have got a damn good spanking." She was equal-opportunity when it came to discipline. I hope you had a good Christmas and hope on this feast of families you have good memories of belonging to the family where you had a place.

Sun, Dec. 27: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; Col 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52 Mon, Dec. 28: 1 John 1:5-2:2; Matthew 2:13-18 Tue, Dec. 29: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 Wed, Dec. 30: 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40 Thu, Dec. 31: 1 John 2:18-21; John 1:1-18 Fri, Jan. 1: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 Sat, Jan. 2: 1 John 2:22-28; John 1:19-28 Sun, Jan. 3: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a; 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

Tuesday and Thursday morning 8 am Mass is celebrated in the Church with Fr. DeBruycker.

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, December 29

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Thursday, December 31

8 am Mass, 8 pm in the Church

Friday, January 1

New Year’s Day Mass, 10 am in the Church

Sunday, January 3

#SJA<40 Brunch, after Masses at Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave.

Friday, January 1: New Year’s Day Mass. Join the community for a special New Year's Day Mass at 10 am in our Church. Our parishioners will share their hopes for 2016!

The Parish Center Offices Will Be Closed Thursday, Dec. 31, Friday, Jan. 1 and Saturday, Jan. 2.

T.J. Anderson, Zachary Arlein, Bud B., Pat B., Sally Backstrom, Dennis Barta, Margaret Berger, Alex Briner, Sara Brock, Desmond Bryant, Don Burke, James Cates, Dana, Dayna Cell, Corinne, Dolores Cufaude, Denise, Desirae, Barb D., John D., Roger D., Megan Daoust, Dave Dease,

Chris & Larry Dease, Amber DeMoregt, Colleen Dooley, Florence Duchscher, John & Margaret Frees, Sr. Gabriel, Ralph Gotto, Molly Gormley, Kathy Grauer, Tom Griep, Tom H.,Linda Haeg, Pippa Hempe, Bernhard Hering, Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Mary Hoody, Jody Hughes, Lee Hurd,

Kirk Ingram, Joe, Dan & Tom Jay, Thomas John, Paul Jonsson, Glen Kelley, Paul L., Amy Lainus, Jim Lappen, Melinda Larson, Rachel Larson, Gary Lindstrom, Rachel Lovejoy, Eileen Lund, Kyle M., Jim Mars, Marie Marschel, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Marion Martens, Jackie Mead,

Dorothy Mongoven, Sid Monroe, Gene Muelken, Nate, David E. Nelson, Dick Nistler, Craig Norby, Mary Noviske, David Novitske, Olivia, Doris Oakes, Sr. Dolores Oaks, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera, Rick Pattison, Jay Pearson, Joan Penrose, Bill Peterka, Dick & Mary Pirola, Nikki Poynter, Herb Rorke,

Helen Russett, Kate S., Tyler S., Pat Sable, Conrad Sampair, Marianne & Dick Seekamp, Mary Margaret Schmidt, Aileen Sheppard, Sam Slagerman, Emily Slotness, Larry Somers, Devon Stanley, Jeff Stearns, Judy Steffes, Michelle St. Marie, Dave Strom, Elizabeth Swanson, Dick T., Irene Taddiken,

Marge Tax, James Tax, Matthew Tenant, Mary Eve Thomas, Gregory Thomas, Echo Thoren, Tim, Kate Ryan Tomerleau, Madison Travers, Carin Vagle, Darlene Wheeler, Carol Whitlow, Ian Wiek, Phil Wixsten, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Ron Wright, Zoe, 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.

Sunday 9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

January 3: Epiphany! Presider: Fr. Cassidy. A special celebration of the 'shining forth' of God's love in the life of Jesus, with a reflec-tion inspired by peacemaker Fr. John Dear, and music by SJA fa-vorites, the Lincoln High School Choir under the direction of Darcy Reese.

January 10: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: Dr. Vincent Smiles on Modern Science, Ancient Longings. He is a professor of theology at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University and will lead an event the following Saturday at SJA to explore the intersections of science and religion today.

January 17: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Our celebration of the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in words and music, with many special guests. This is always a stirring Sunday morning!

January 31: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Pat Dawson, parishioner and Parish Council member, will report on a recent series of listening sessions with SJA members and share what was learned.

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. Gluten-free Communion is available upon request. Please see

any of the Sunday sacristans in the Gym before Mass.

Choir: No Rehearsal on Dec. 31. Rehearsal at 7 pm on Thurs-days, Jan. 7 and 14 for the MLK concert, On My Way Home.

On January 1, New Year's Day we celebrate the joy and hopes of our community for 2016 with a Mass at 10 am in our Church. Join our SJA musicians and pastors for this special liturgy to begin the new year!

Thief River Falls Lincoln High School Choir: The 90 voice,

award winning choir from Thief River Falls Lincoln High School will fill our Gym with the sounds of hope at our 9 am and 11 am Epiphany liturgies on Sunday, Jan. 3.

Benefit Concert for Refugees Inside Syria: Join Osmo Vanska and friends of the Minnesota Orchestra, Sunday, Jan. 3 at 4 pm at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Ave, Edina.

Concert Series Tickets On Sale Today! All shows are in the SJA Gym at 7 pm with open seating. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased after our Gym liturgies or online at www.stjoan.com.

On My Way Home: On Sunday, Jan. 17, Dan Chouinard hosts our annual celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and the history of “home” in the African American experience, with guests Bruce Henry, Debbie Duncan, the SJA choir and more.

Forever Everly: On Sunday, April 17 some of the Twin Cities best musicians gather to sing the great duets immortalized by the Everly Brothers. Don’t miss this walk down memory lane!

Recycle: Please use the labeled receptacles for compost, paper, glass, plastic, cans, waste and cups. By doing so we will be eco-logically responsible and a big help to our maintenance staff as well. Thank you.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes needs toiletry size soap, toothpaste,

toothbrushes, shampoo, lotion, socks, hats and mit-tens for the winter. Donations can go in the collection hamper across from the food shelf bin in the entry of the Parish Center. FFI contact mlf.mpls@gmail.com.

Wedding Policies at St. Joan of Arc: Weddings at SJA are provided as a service to members of the parish community. Be-cause of the large number of weddings, it is not possible to pro-vide 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 mini-mum 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.

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

Week of December 20: Actual $42,542 Budget $57,980 Prior Year Actual $59,409

YTD (July 1 - Dec. 20): Actual $851,207 Budget $859,225

Prior Year Actual $838,531

If you wish to make a donation of stock, or a special year end gift you may contact Nancy McPherson in the Finance Office.

Thank you!

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright, SJA! To all who have been part of our holiday programs - purchasing gifts for those in need, donating food (775 pounds of food collected at the Thanksgiving Day Mass for the Aliveness Project), time and kindness to so many, we thank you for being an expression of God's love

in the world. You have made a difference and your efforts will reso-nate for a long time. Christmas blessings to all who reach out in compassion this special season.

Tutors and Mentors Needed! Join fellow SJAers volunteering with Simpson Housing Services and provide academic support and a caring relationship to a child or teen. Info session on Jan. 16 for all 3 youth program opportunities - FFI or to register, contact Christina Giese at cgiese@simpsonhousing.org or call 612.455.0859. We are a proud partner with SImpson Housing Services through our SJA Justice Grants.

An Interfaith Peace Vigil Against War: Wednesdays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm, at the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge. Join us!

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 Par-ish 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.

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.

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

Consider Carpooling or Riding the City Bus to Church: Go to metrotransit.org for more information. Thank you!

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 11 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 41st and Lyndale, Augsburg Professor and Mental Health Advocate, Melissa Hensley will share her own story, Navigating Bipolar Disorder: Smoothing the Path When the Terrain is Rough. Light supper 5:45 pm, program 6:30 - 8:15 pm. 1.5 hours CEU’s available. All are welcome. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

Recommended Reading: The Chemistry of Joy by Henry

Emmons, M.D., with Rachel Kranz. “Dr. Emmons’ natural approach to depression - supplemented with medication if necessary-blending the best of Western science and Eastern philosophy to

create your body's own biochemistry of joy." -from the back cover of The Chemistry of Joy. 3 copies are available in the Depression section of the Parish resource library.

BeFriender Ministry: SJA BeFrienders offer a supportive, con-fidential presence during times of stress, decision or transition. FFI contact Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.6828 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

SJA/TRUST Grief Support: On Thursday, Jan. 21, Lee Erick-son will present “What is Grief?” at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2914 W. 44th St. Registration and refreshments, 6:15 pm; program, 6:30 pm; facilitated small groups, 7 - 8 pm. FFI contact Norine Larson, 952.925.2437 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

The Gathering is a program in partnership with Lyngblomstem senior services, St. Joan’s, TRUST, and 6 other area church-es. Held 4 Thursdays a month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 10 am – 3 pm, it is a safe and enjoyable place for individuals experiencing early-to-mid stage memory loss to gather for fel-lowship, food and stimulating, fun activities while providing some respite time for caregivers. Volunteers are essential to provide kitchen (lunch and snack) support, plan activities and serve as companions to the participants. Training and mentoring of volunteers is provided through Lyngblomstem. If you know of someone who might benefit from this program, to volunteer or to find out more contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center, Julie McChesney at Bethlehem, 612.312.3366 or go to www.lyngblomstem.org/thegathering.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers are needed to deliver hot meals

and warm smiles to elderly or disabled homebound people. Drivers are always needed to help with this valuable program. Time commitment is approximately one

hour during the noon hour when called to help. FFI call 612.822.6040.

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

A Prayer for the New Year: May we enter this new year with a deep resolve to follow our brother Jesus into the margins of our communities and into the halls of power to call for justice! The turning of the year is always a time for new hope, new vision, and new spirit - and it is a time to give thanks to all the parishioners who sustain and enliven our peace and justice ministries here at St. Joan of Arc. Together we witness to God's kingdom here on earth, where all are welcome at the table and there is enough for everyone. Thanks be to God for this Beloved Community and your presence in the world!

ISAIAH: What's Next? Recently, 45 SJAers joined a gathering

of more than 1700 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, from a wide range of organizations working for a fair economy in Minnesota. People from busi-ness and labor unions, from environmental and racial

justice movements, from faith based and secular organizations all came together to share our common goals and our common agenda. If you'd like to hear more, we invite you to join our ISAIAH core team on Sunday, Jan. 10 after the 11:00 Mass, when we will share a report and next steps. We are part of something awesome!

Letter to the Editor Training: On Sunday, Jan. 17, following both Masses, join our SJA ISAIAH core team in the Parish Center for a reprise of our incredibly successful Letter to the Editor train-ing! We have had great results getting letters published from thoughtful SJAers who raise their voices on issues that matter in our community. Join us for this brief and effective training.

Presentation and Coffee Tasting: Carmen Pampa is a very unique college in rural Bolivia which many parishioners have sup-ported - and it is a recipient of SJA Justice Grants. On Sunday, Jan. 24, following both Masses, join the Executive Director Hugh Smeltekop for a presentation on the work of the school as well as a coffee tasting with samples from beans that have been grown and roasted by the College. All are welcome!

Sister Parish: Will You Go to Guatemala? On Sunday, Jan. 31,

following each Mass, join our Sister Parish committee in the Parish Center for more info on our 21 year Sister Parish relationship and an invitation to join an upcoming delegation to Tierra Nueva Dos in

Guatemala. It is a life changing trip - come and learn more!

"Faithfully Embracing Refugees and Migrants: A Journey of Hope": Catholic Charities' Office for Social Justice invites you to a “meet-up” on Monday, Jan. 11 at 7 pm at St. John Neumann parish in Eagan. The dialogue will focus on the most recent surge of refugees and migrants around the world, and our call to respond with compassion.

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

Adoptive Families Book Club: This time around we’ll read the novel Two Paths, a work-in-progress by our own Rosemary Dolata. She will be happy to provide you with a PDF of the novel upon re-quest (rdolata@yahoo.com). We’ll meet on Jan. 30 at Turtle Bread at 10 am. Join us! FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Shoes for the Homeless: Calvary Church in Minneapolis has

a foot ministry, in which volunteers wash and groom the feet of homeless guests and give them a fresh pair of shoes. We are accepting donations of gently used shoes for this ministry. Only sturdy shoes and winter

boots in good condition please. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

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.

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

: 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 & 11 am Sunday Masses. The Nursery is a wonderful community of families and volunteers that allows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other families in the Parish. Drop-ins welcome!

The Nursery Will Be Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; and on Sundays, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.

: (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.

Class Schedule: Dec. 27, Jan. 3: No class - Christmas break

Family Mass/Faith Formation: There will be no Family Mass or Faith Formation classes Sundays, Dec. 27, Jan. 3 and Jan. 17.

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

Poling at 612.823.8205 ext. 241 or dpoling@stjoan.com or Kelley Deshler at kdeshler@stjoan.com.

Slopefest (grades 7-12): Join us for a weekend full of fun, faith, friends, skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Friday, Feb. 12 - 15. $275 for skiers and snowboarders. We will be hitting the slopes of Giants Ridge in Biwabik and staying at YMCA Camp Warren. Pick up a permission slip in the Parish Center. FFI contact Donelle at dpoling@stjoan.com. Must register by Feb. 7.

: FFI contact Dennis Heaney at

612.823.8205 ext. 234 or dheaney@stjoan.com.

#SJA<40: Mark your calendars! Start the new year right with #SJA<40 brunch after the 9 and

11 am Masses on Jan. 3. Meet us at Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave.

Ever wanted to try curling? Here's your chance! Join us for a curling lesson and happy hour. Jan 23, 2 - 3 pm, at Four Sea-sons Curling Club. Curling lesson $5 per person. RSVP to SJAUnderForty@stjoan.com.

Parish Book Club: Everyone is welcome, anytime! We meet monthly on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center to discuss our experience with great stories. Here is what to read next: Jan. 13: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stout. Feb. 9: A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Longing For God in a Science-Dominated World: SAGES Min-istry invites you to a seminar presented by Dr. Vincent Smiles, a professor of Theology at St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict, on Saturday, Jan. 16 in Hospitality Hall. Registration, coffee and rolls at 8:30 am, seminar, 9 - 12:30. Please pre-register by calling the Parish Center, free will offering. Scripture Matters: Things Hidden by Richard Rohr is the new book Scripture Matters will be reading and discussing beginning Tuesday, Jan. 5, 7 - 9 pm, in Hospitality Hall. All are welcome. John Thavis Returns to SJA: John Thavis, who covered the

Vatican for 30 years for the Catholic News Service, will talk about his new book, Vatican Prophecies, on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 pm in Hospitality Hall. The book illustrates the Church’s struggle between tradition-al beliefs and contemporary skepticism. It also sheds

light on a relatively hidden aspect of Pope Francis' work to quietly steer the church in new directions on miracles and apparitions.

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