Whenever I drive into the metro area at night from the East, I never fail to be struck by the appearance of the Saint Paul Cathedral. All lit up, it grows larger and larger until it almost seems like I pass under it on Interstate 94. My paternal grandparents lived just north of the State Capitol on Topping Street, almost on the railroad tracks-yes the wrong side. Laying on the bed in the upstairs back porch you could see the domes of the state capital, the St. Agnes’ steeple and this magnificent cathedral. My maternal great grandparents also lived north of the Capitol on Rice Street about a mile up. My grandmother, Mary Olsem (nee Lydon) and her sister Bea were two Irish immigrants who worked for the Hill family. My grandmother was up at the Summit Avenue mansions and her sister out at the Hill farm in North Oaks. My great-grandfather built the house on the street car line so both women could ride the same line, one North the other South. In fact, my great grandfather John stole the bricks for their house’s foundation from the construction site of the present State Capitol in the 1890’s. My great grandmother had an even greater regard for the Cathedral. She loved the Cathedral and she went to mass there as often as she could, even though she lived only a block and a half from St. Bernard’s (those darn Germans!) She would point out to me the pews rented by the prominent families, the Donohue’s, the Donnelley’s, the Ryan’s - yes all Irish. I would hear how the Cathedral was on higher ground than the Capitol, that den of protestant heathens, and how it was a symbol of the power of the immigrants, especially the Irish. Yes, there were rich men who donated the land for the Cathedral, but it was the pennies, nickels, and dimes of the working class that finished the job. My grandmother would be proud to find out her church is being refitted with new lighting so that it will continue to be a beacon of the Catholic presence. The new LED lights will save 75% of the presently used power and enhance the lighting by more than 10% with a payback in energy cost and rebates in two years. Nostagia, savings and green--what more could you ask for? Our buildings are more than just brick and mortar they are symbols of who we are.

Presider: Fr. Jim DeBruycker Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis in story, song, and with inspired words from our own Pope Francis. Thank you readers JP Fitzgibbons, Tinia Moulder and Rachael Lovejoy, the SJA adult choir with soloist Tim Roehl and Lee Vague, musicians and ‘animals!’ We are on Holy Ground! Con-tinue the celebration with our Blessing of the Animals this afternoon at 3 pm in the Memorial Garden. Bring your furry and feathered friends to this beautiful service as we pray for their welfare and give thanks for their lives among us. Treats after for both animals & humans!

Come and see the story of St Francis come to life with actors, puppeteers and musicians. Our year has begun! Check out our Family Mass newsletter for many ways your family can be involved with our vibrant, welcoming spiritual commu-nity. See you in the church!

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.

Sun, Sept. 25: Amos 6:1a,4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 Mon, Sept. 26: Job 1:6-22; Luke 9:46-50 Tue, Sept. 27: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Luke 9:51-56 Wed, Sept. 28: Job 9:1-12,14-16; Luke 9:57-62 Thu, Sept. 29: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; John 1:47-51 Fri, Sept. 30: Job 38:1,12-21;40:3-5; Luke 10:13-16 Sat, Oct. 1: Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17; Luke 10:17-24 Sun, Oct. 2: Habakkuk 1:2-3;2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14; Luke 17:5-10

Tuesday and Thursday 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, in the Church basement; the Arc, across 45th Street, 4457 3rd Av.

Sunday, September 25

Iraqi Stories in Film after the 11 am Mass in the Upper Room

Blessing of the Animals, 3 pm in the Memorial Garden

Tuesday, September 27

8 am Mass in the Church

Thursday, September 29

8 am Mass in the Church

Virtus Class, 6 pm in Hospitality Hall

Choir, 7 pm in the Church

Anne, Randy Adamsick, Zach Arlein, Ben, Ray B., Sally Backstrom, Louisa Bailey, Jeanie Ball, Dennis Barta, Phyllis Berninger, Joe Betz, Thomas Betz, Elaine Boehm, Pam Burd, George C., Dayna Cell, Dolores Cufaude, Betty Culver, Barb D., Manfred D., Roger D., Dan, Dean, Dick,

Megan Daoust, Colleen Dooley, Bob Duffy, Anne Duvalley, Jerry Eveslage, John & Margaret Frees, Peter & Kathleen Giefer, Jacqui Gardner, Ralph Gotto, Tom Griep, Tom H., Scott Hagebak, Angie Hancock, Brent Harapat, Jamel Harris, Mary Havstad, Bernhard Hering, Brad & Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Megan Hoffman, Mary Hoody, Ethan Hoeschen, Kathy Horner, Kirk Ingram, Judy, Cecilia Jaisle, Dan & Tom Jay, Marjorie Johnson, Scott Johnson, Paul Jonsson, Kevin, Jean Karol, Maria Karpinski, Glen Kelley, Erika Kraus, Fred Kroog, Paul L., Amy Lainus, Lakhan Lal Garhewal, Ivy Lang, Melva Larson, Rachel Larson, Dick Leahy, Gary Lindstrom, Pat Lyon, Malia, Margaret, Kyle M., Chuck MacDonald, Gavin & Jo Nachtigall, Thomas Madryga, Katherine Malaga, Anthony Marino, Harvey May, May family, Anne McCraken, Mary Jo McMahon, Katherine & Lauren McManus,

Chuck Meiers, Mike, Jerre Miller, Tony Molek & family, Nate, Nicholas, Craig Norby, Millie Nortley, Tom O’Brien, Rita Olk, Ken Olsen, Dale Olson, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera, Pam, Rick Pattison, Joan Penrose, Bill Peterka, Tammy Petersen, Dick Pirola, Ted Pouliot, C. Popp, Nikki Poynter,

Kyler & Caroline Queen, Doris Rausch, Barbara Risdall, Lynn & Natalie Roloff, Renee Roufs, Helen Russett, Kate S., Conrad Sampair, Kay Sanders, Lorna Schulz, Dana Sell, Mac Shapland, Aileen Sheppard, Mike Sipe, Sam Slagerman, Sandy Strousd, Ted, Teddy, Tim, Trisha, Tom, Irene Taddiken, Marge Tax, Jane Tax, Matthew Tennant, Gregory Thomas, Mary Eve Thomas, Echo Thoren, Tolle Family, John Trueman, Carin Vagle, Leroy Vague, Dick Voss, Clint Ward, Darlene Wheeler, Ian Wiek, Kay Winters, Phil Wixsten, Patricia Wood, Ann Woolsey, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Maureen Wolf,

Tara Zozel, Annemarie & Ava Zubrzyck

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.

Sunday 9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

October 2: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Rev. Nancy Nord Bence, executive director of Protect MN, will speak on com-munity and interfaith efforts to end gun violence.

October 9: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: Long-time community leader Barbara Satin will speak about her journey as a transgender woman of faith. MN OutFront will present the workshop Trans 101 on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 pm at SJA.

October 16: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Vincent Smiles returns to SJA.

October 23: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: MN Secretary of State Steve Simon.

October 30: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Our Pre-Mass speaker will come to us from the Wisdom Ways Fall Soul Conference “The Strength of Her Witness: Theology in Women's Voices.”

November 6: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. SJA youth confirmation participants will share their journey.

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 will rehearse this Thursday, Sept. 29 at 7 pm in the church. New members welcomed. Teens especially welcomed! FFI call Anna Vagle at 612.823.8205 ext. 235. Shared Ministry: See & Rejoice! God calls all people to ministry and entrusts us with gifts and talents to be shared and expressed through our works. Your Shared Ministry electives need to be renewed each year. Registration is also available on-line at www.stjoan.com. Completed registration forms can be mailed to the Parish Center or returned in the vestibules’ collection boxes or Mass collection baskets. Thank you for your volunteer commitment!

The Cabaret Sunday Show (Oct. 9, 7 pm) tickets are on sale for only $30 each at the Gym entrance before and after Sunday Masses or you can order on the SJA website (www.stjoan.com). The Sunday show,

under the direction of George Maurer, is a fast moving evening of great music. The show will include the Hornheads, an extraordi-narily talented group of horn players who backed Prince and who will perform a tribute to him. The Sunday Show extends a Caba-ret “welcome back” to our friend, Robert Robinson, who will be back where he belongs – singing at SJA. Get your tickets today.

SJA LGBTQ Group Welcomes You! Our next meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 28 in the Parish Center and there will be a potluck soon. Please contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center for more info on these events. Great food, great conversation, great people - what could be better?

Fall Healing Service: Are you in need of healing...physical, emotional, spiritual? We want to support your pro-cess with our prayers. Please join the SJA Prayer Partners for this meaningful time of prayer, ritual and music on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7 pm in the Church.

Prayer Partners is a group of parishioners who minister to our communities’ need for prayer through special prayer services and rituals, like our Fall Healing Service. We are always looking for new members, especially young adults or teens who would like to join our group. FFI call Anna Vagle at 612.823.8205 ext. 235.

Bulletin Advertising: Bud Bien of Liturgical Publications (our parish bulletin publishers) will be making advertising calls for the SJA bulletin the week of Sept. 26. Please consider advertising with us as the ad revenue pays for the bulletin. Ads can be pur-chased for a business or you can sponsor an ad. FFI please call Bud (952.240.1747) or call him at the Parish Center.

A Great Opportunity for SJA Edina and North Minneapolis Residents: new Community Solar Gardens are coming to your communities. CSGs make solar energy affordable, allowing Xcel Energy customers to subscribe to the electricity generated and earn credit on their bill. Households are encouraged to subscribe online. Email communitysolar@mnipl.org to learn more.

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

Week of September 18, 2016 Actual $35,915 Budget $37,009 Prior Year Actual $30,526

YTD (July 1 – September 18) Actual $392,527 Budget $418,602 Prior Year Actual $354,384

Thank You!

Winter is Coming! Warm Hands Warm Hearts is coming, too! Our beloved annual collection of new coats and mittens for 500 children will begin the weekend of Oct. 1 - 2. Make plans to pick up a card and purchase a coat - and thank you to the incredible volunteers and donors who make this program happen!

Adoption Book Club: On Oct. 1 at 10 am, come to Turtle Bread (Chicago Ave in Mpls) to chat about Sherrie Eldridge’s non-fiction book, Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew. Anyone interested in adoption is welcome to join what is always a lively

discussion. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Feed My Starving Children: On Oct. 15, 2 - 4 pm, join other SJA families at the Eagan site to pack food for children in need around the globe. To sign up, contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Help Children Stay in School!: SJA is once again partnering with Common Hope (www.commonhope.org) to collect donations of school supplies for children in Guatemala. We will be collecting sup-plies each Sunday in October in the bin outside the church. Please bring in only new, targeted supplies. For a list of supplies, please contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

New to SJA? Meet 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.

SJA Children’s Choir: All children in grades 3 - 7 are invited to join our Children’s Choir directed by youth choir director, Seth Boyd. The choir will have four exciting holiday performances: Our Lady of Gua-dalupe play (Dec. 11 Family Masses), Walker Methodist Christmas Concert (Dec. 17 at 2 pm), Advent play (Dec. 18 Family Masses) and the Christmas Eve Gym Mass (at 4 pm). New this year: We start off with a rehearsal camp (Oct. 29, 11 am - 4 pm): fun, music and lunch! Other rehearsals are Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Dec. 4. Chil-dren can do both the Children’s Choir and the Christmas Musical. To sign up, contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Baptisms Celebrated at SJA in September: Paige Cembrinski; Ruth Daugherty; Kaia Flynn; Jasper Gniadek; Clementine Kaufen-berg; Alicia and Manuel Serra Godon.

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

Mental Health Ministry: Join us Monday, Oct. 10 in Hospitality Hall for Practices, the last of three presentations in What Does Success Look Like for a Person With Special Needs Within Our Families, Communities and Schools? Widely recognized educa-tional consultant, author, teacher and advocate, Jennifer Som-merness returns one more time to share how to create success-ful service delivery models of support, with an emphasis on how to create inclusive communities and schools through the use of person-centered thinking and planning. A light meal will be served at 5:45 pm followed by Jennifer’s presentation, 6:30 – 8 pm. 1.8 hours CEU’s available for students and professionals. Free-will offering accepted. FFI about Jennifer’s work, visit her website,https://jennifersommerness.com

BeFriender Ministers offer confidential listening and supportive visits in times of grief or transitions. To find out more contact Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.2868 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

Parish Visitor Ministers are available to parishioners that can-not join us for worship or would like a long or short term addi-tional parish connection in the home, hospital, rehab or care center. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. TRUST, Inc. Grief Support: On Thursday, Sept. 29. Mary Marcoux, Bereavement Professional, will present Understanding Grief at Our Lady of Peace Church, 5426 - 12th Ave. So. Regis-tration and refreshments 6:15 pm; speaker presentation 6:30 pm; facilitated small groups 7 - 8 pm. Schedules are available on the bulletin boards and in the Parish Center. FFI contact Co-alition Coordinator, Norine Larson, 952.925.2437 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

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

Housing Ministry: We're Back in the Swing (of Hammers!) On Saturday, Oct. 1, we invite you to join a team of SJAers rehabbing a home that will become beautiful and affordable housing for a low-income family. Tools, supplies and staffing provided by our wonderful partner Urban Homeworks. No experience necessary. Only a few volunteer spots still open. FFI/to volunteer, contact Julie Madden. Stop This Endless War: As we mark and mourn the 15th anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan, we need you to stand with our call to end this terrible war. There is a march on Saturday, Oct. 8, starting at 1:45 pm at Lake & Hiawatha. Please join us!

Iraqi Stories in Film: Join us in the Parish Center Upper Room today, following the 11 am Mass, for several documentary short films and a conversation with the directors. These films are brought to us by the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (recipient of SJA Justice Grant funds) and will

give us a fascinating glimpse into the lives of local Iraqis. Tasty refreshments will be provided as well. Election Season: Our Best Selves in Action! As Catholic Chris-tians, we have a right and a responsibility to be actively engaged in the public arena as we seek to build the common good and enhance human dignity. Join ISAIAH in deep conversations with potential voters on issues of economic, ecological and racial jus-tice. Conversations will not be aligned with any candidate or party and will enrich us all! Stop by our tables today and sign up to doorknock on an upcoming weekend. SJA EcoSpirits: If you are inspired by the commitment of both Pope Francis and St. Francis and their love for creation, please join our SJA EcoSpirits tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 26 at 7 pm in the Parish Center. Get updates from Standing Rock, learn more about other local actions and campaigns. All are welcome - espe-cially newcomers! A Climate Justice Encounter: On Monday, Oct. 3, join our SJA

EcoSpirits and ISAIAH core team for an encounter with Karen Monahan of the Sierra Club. Pope Francis has cast care for creation in a new light, as a work of mercy. Let us join together to save our world.

Build That Wall? An Experience of the Immigration System. On Monday, Oct. 17, we welcome you to an experience of the myths and realities of the immigration system for people crossing the southern border of the U.S. and our response as people of faith. We will sift through the heated rhetoric that surrounds immigration conversations with this highly interactive and very eye-opening evening. Thanks to our new ministry, "Welcoming the Stranger", for organizing this powerful event. 7 pm in Hospitality Hall - please join us! SJA Outreach Fund: This Is the Good News! Next Sunday, Rev. Nancy Nord Bence, executive director of Protect MN will address the role of faith communities in changing gun policies. Through our SJA Justice Grants (with funding from our SJA Outreach Fund), we are proud to partner with Protect MN. Go to www.protectmn.org for info on TODAY's Concert Across America to End Gun Violence. Do You Have a Healthcare Story to Share? Our SJA Conversa-tions on Healthcare brings parishioners together to work on achieving quality, affordable care for all. If you have experienced a healthcare related financial crisis or bankruptcy, if you have struggled with access to healthcare or rising drug costs, would you consider sharing that with our group either in person or in writing? Your journey can help shape future policy, and we seek your input. FFI, please 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.

: 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 Center, is open for the 9 & 11 am Sunday Masses. The Nursery is a wonder-ful community of families and volunteers that allows parents to en-joy Mass and meet other 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: Regular classes, today, Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 30. No classes on Oct. 23, MEA weekend.

Teachers Needed in many grades at this time. Please contact Marie if you are able to help.

At-Home Faith Formation: Our first Confab is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6:30 - 8 pm. Everyone, not just those regis-tered for the At-Home program, is welcome to join us for a fun Welcome Back Game Night. Come meet Cynthia Bailey Manns, our new Adult Learning Director. There will be snacks! RSVP to mbissonnette@stjoan.com.

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

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

Youth Ministry 2016-17, 7th - 12th Grade, Orientation: We will begin our year tonight, 5:45 - 8 pm, in the Church. All registered youth in grades 7 - 12 and their parents are

invited to this evening of information and orientation for the upcom-ing Youth Ministry program that starts on Oct. 9. Check-in at 5:45 pm in the school hallway, program at 6 pm in Church. Come meet your small group leader, learn about MICAH service opportunities this year and meet your peer ministry team! Dinner will be served. FFI contact Donelle. MEA Getaway Retreat: Grades 9 -12 ,Oct. 20 - 23. Cost $225. Join us for a fantastic weekend at Camp Castaway. This is one camp you don’t want to miss! Space is limited. Registration form at www.stjoan.com youth ministry, camp/retreats. FFI contact Donelle at dpoling@stjoan.com. 7th Grade Retreat, Oct. 9, 1 - 4 pm, at the Arc. All 7th graders registered for Faith Formation are invited to come. Registration online! Lunch is provided.

8th grade Retreat, Oct.16,1 - 4 pm, in the Arc. All 8th graders registered for Faith Formation are invited to come. Registration online! Lunch is provided.

Thrill Night, Oct. 28, 6 - 9 pm. 7th - 12th graders and friends are welcome! $30. Come test your skills in a real puzzle room at Lock and Key Escape Rooms. Dinner and fun will be provided. FFI contact Kelley Deshler at kdeshler@stjoan.com

: FFI contact Cynthia Bailey Manns at

612.823.8205 ext. 226 or cmanns@stjoan.com.

Parish Book Club meets on the 2nd Wednesday of a month at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center to discuss our experiences with great stories. Everyone is welcome anytime! Here’s what to read next: October 12: The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day

2nd Monday Dialogue with SAGES: Enjoy coffee and dialogue with presenters Marion Hall and Alice Moorman, both of the League of Women Voters. Their talk is Why Vote? Voting Rights and Critical Issues. Monday, Oct. 10, 1:30-3 pm in Hospitality Hall. Everyone is welcome!

What’s New with Medicare for 2017: Join us for a Life Planning Workshop from SAGES Ministry on Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 am - Noon in Hospitality Hall. Open enrollment for Medicare is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Whether you are currently on Medicare, enrolling for the first time, or a caregiver, this workshop will update you on Medicare supplements, Rx plans, help for those with lower in-comes and more. The speaker is from Minnesota’s Senior LinkAge Line. It is not a sales presentation. Free and open to all.

Is This Your Year? Our RCIA program is structured in such a way that invites you to make small commitments until you are sure you want to proceed. FFI call Fr. DeBruycker or Cynthia Bailey Manns.

SJA VIRTUS Classes: Register Now! All adult volunteers who have regular or unsupervised interaction with minors or vulnerable adults must complete one VIRTUS classroom session. On-line pre-registration is required at www.virtus.org. Upcoming classroom sessions at St. Joan of Arc are:

Thursday, September 29, 6 pm Sunday, October 2, 2 pm

To verify the status of your safe environment volunteer credentials or to register for a one-time classroom session, login to your exist-ing Virtus account, or create an account, at www.virtus.org. Please note: If you have an existing Virtus on-line account but have forgotten your login information, follow the prompt “Need login information?” Please do not create a duplicate account which will not include your archived records of previous credentialing activity. FFI, contact your SJA staff supervisor.

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