A couple of years ago the push from St. Paul was that we must see the parish as a subset of the greater church. In their words: “We must look past the local church to the greater church.” Like politics, church is primarily local and I think despite the publicity around downtown it will continue to be and probably even more so. Until the issues around bankruptcy are resolved I think it is even more important to strengthen the local church.

We expect the impact of the bankruptcy will be minor on the parishes. Some of us with healthcare and retirement maintained by the Archdiocese are waiting to see what impact there is and, if the plans go away or fail, the parish will have to seek out our own. This is only a fear, not a reality yet.

Also, and this may seem counter intuitive, our support of some Archdiocesan ministries, like Catholic Charities and the Catholic Services Appeal, may have to voluntarily increase. These organizations have separately incorporated so their finances are safe from the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy proceedings. We will keep you posted on all of these issues - through our SJA Web site (www.stjoan.com), in this column, Gym/Church handouts, reports from the Finance Committee and Parish Council - when we receive substantiated or authoritative information.

Today’s Gospel is the famous call to “come after me” or “come follow me”. The first is more accurate because it’s more active. Jesus doesn’t want puppy dogs, he wants people who will take the ministry and work with them; people who will create ministries and respond to the world around them. He wants people who are faithful but filled with foibles like the first disciples he called.

The early church grew up around a band of believers who spread the word but also took care of their neighbors which became the strength of the community. People were attracted to this community which took care of each other and because of this the word had value. The supportive community worshipping together will always be its greatest strength.

We have had a couple of really crummy years and we have not been served by the leadership as well as could be expected. There will be more blips in the road but as long as the local community, the parishes, take care of each other, the top will ultimately heal. I do believe we will see this Archdiocese come back stronger than ever.

Part of that healing will be to make sure the wounded get their justice, but just as importantly to really work it means a new commitment from all parties to respect one another’s theologies. I think Pope Francis is trying to do this on an international level but we need to do it locally. Don’t be like Jonah, the most reluctant but successful of prophets. He changed the hearts of the people of Nineveh, but couldn’t rejoice with them and pouted.

Finally, did you ever think of what Zebedee, Peter and Andrew’s dad, talked about in the bar that night?

Presider: Fr. Jim DeBruycker

Pre-Mass Speaker: Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Commissioner of the MN Department of Health and champion of health care reform that provides affordable, quality care for all, will speak.

We welcome Deb Harley, singer and leader of music at worship here at St. Joan’s for 20 years. She is a Prayer Partner and peace activist and will sing a special song for our Gym liturgies. Thank you as always!

How can we be disciples of Jesus? Students from our Southside Family School share stories and images from their Civil Rights trip. Come hear about their life-changing journey!

Sun, Jan. 25: Jonah 3:1-5,10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 Mon,Jan. 26: 2 Timothy 1:1-8; Luke 10:1-9 Tue, Jan. 27: Hebrews 10:1-10; Mark 3:31-35 Wed,Jan. 28: Hebrews 10:11-18; Mark 4:1-20 Thu, Jan. 29: Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 4:21-25 Fri, Jan. 30: Hebrews 10:32-39; Mark 4:26-34 Sat, Jan. 31: Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19; Mark 4:35-41

Sun, Feb. 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28

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

9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

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.

Sunday, February 15: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: R.T. Rybak on his hope for the city and his work with Generation Next.

Wednesday, February 18: Ash Wednesday services at 8 am and Noon in the Church and at 7 pm in the Gym.

Sunday, February 22: First Sunday of Lent

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.

Today

Conversations on Health Care, 12:45 pm in the Church

Tuesday, January 27

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Wednesday, January 28

New Member Dinner, 6 pm in Hospitality Hall

Thursday, January 29

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Choir, 7 pm in the Church

Movie: The Ghosts of Jeju, 7 pm in Hospitality Hall

Saturday, January 31

Men’s Retreat, 9 am, Hospitality Hall and Church

Bud B., Dennis Barta, Jean Besch-Patsch, Phyllis Berninger, Charlie Bloss, Betty Bonnert, Sara Brock, Don Burke, Dayna Cell, Miles Chambers, Millicent Clark, Denise, John D., Megan Daoust, Irvin Dehn, Brittnay Delaney, Lois Doyle, Marie Doyle, Paul Doyle, Jill Finley, John & Margaret Frees,

Jim Gorman, Bryen Granlund, Tom Griep, Tom H., Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Megan Hoffman, Mary Hoody, Jody Hughes, Isaac, Dan Jay, Tom Jay, Tex Jones, Paul Jonsson, Glen Kelley, Diane Krcma family, Lynne, Kirk L, Amy Lainus, John Lasota, Kathy Lindeen, Gary Lindstrom,

Liz Loney, Chantilly Lynch, Kari, Kyle M., Marie Marschel, Rose McGonagle, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Kayla McMullan, Jackie Mead, Chuck Meiers, Shell Meehl, Bob Mefford, Kelley Meyer, Mike M., Sharon Miller, Dorothy Mongoven, Jason Monroe, Pamela Morgan, Gene Muelken,

Greg Murphy, Nick, Craig Norby, David Novitske, Heidi Nyberg, Olivia, Doris Oakes, Sr. Dolores Oaks, Matt Olk, Stacey Olk, Paul Olvera, Bill P., Rick Pattison, Patricia Pavlik, Joan Penrose, Linda Petri, John Pirola, Liz Pojar, Nikki Poynter, Tom Privette, Catherine Pususta, Helen Russett,

Herb Rorke, Sheila Rossebo, Pat Sable, Conrad Sampair, Marianne Seekamp, Sam Slagerman, Emily Slotness, Sandra & Dietra Smith, 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.

Tenley DeJong; Quinn Eisenschenk: Leif & Mikko Newman; Margot Renner; Gratia Stade; Charlie Vig

Choir rehearses for Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter this Thursday, January 22 at 7 pm in the Church.

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. SJA Happy Hour! Explore the social life of our Twin Cities with fellow parishioners! SJA does Edina on Monday Feb. 2. 5 - 7 pm at Tavern on France with hosts Julie and Ian Abel. RSVP by Jan. 29. FFI/to RSVP email jmcconaha@stjoan.com. Mobile Loaves and Fishes Pancake Breakfast: What sweeter way to begin Valentine's Day than with delicious pancakes here at SJA? On Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 am - 11 am, join us in Hospitality Hall as we enjoy our community and raise money for our mobile food outreach ministry. Flyers are available today and tickets will be on sale next week. A great event for everyone! Mobile Loaves and Fishes Online Auction is Now LIVE! Go to https://www.winningcause.org/mobileloavesandfishes/ to bid on a trip to Greece, Pool Party, many handmade items, and so much more! Bidding ends Feb. 9 with winning bidder to pick up items at the Pancake Breakfast. Items will be on display the weekend of Feb. 8 before and after Masses in the School Library. Soup Supper Volunteers Are Needed to prepare soup and bake/

bring bread starting Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18 through March 25.Please bring soups/breads to Hospitality Hall by 4:30 pm. Youth, families and Small Christian Communities are encouraged to sign up by calling the Parish Center. Everyone is welcome to join us for soup

on Lenten Wednesdays, 5 - 6:30 pm in Hospitality Hall followed by Prayer and Learning at 6:30 pm in the Church. Join Southside Family Charter School for an inspiring evening of storytelling, song, and conversation with celebrated Mississippi Freedom Fighter Hollis Watkins on Thursday, Jan. 29, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, in the SJA Gym, includes a potluck dinner. All are welcome.

Be A Citizen Advocate for Affordable Housing: On Sunday, Feb. 8, our pre-Mass speakers will be members of our community who work with those who are on the margins, experiencing home-lessness and living in poverty. Following the Masses, you are invit-ed to sign up with our youth to be citizen advocates for Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative (a recent recipient of SJA Justice Grant funding). Beacon will call upon you several times during the legislative session to remind your legislators how important afford-able housing and ending homelessness is to us all. This is not difficult and can make a huge difference, as is evidenced by the $100 million investment made in housing last session (thanks in part to the 300+ SJAers who made a call and sent an email)! Singles 50+ 2nd Sunday Supper: Feb. 8 in Hospitality Hall. 5 pm Social Hour, 6 pm French Country Stew, 7 pm Sonic Love Child, a classic country, folk, blues, & vintage pop band. Cost is $10. Come alone or bring a friend! FFI call Karen at 952.884.5165. Adoptive Families Book Club: Join us on Saturday, Feb. 28,

10 am at Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave, to discuss the memoir Prison Baby by Deborah Jiang-Stein. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Hope to see you there!

SJA CARE Fund at Work: This month, our CARE Fund volun-teers were able to help a young man who had paid his rent but, due to an illness that reduced his hours of employment this month, could not afford the bus card he needed to get to work. We made it possible for him to hold things together - and your support of our SJA Outreach Fund gives us the opportunity to care for our neigh-bors in significant and empowering ways. Thank you so much. Thank You from Cabrini Partnership: Once again, the St. Joan

of Arc community has shown their active faith life and compassion for persons having lived on the streets or in shelters. Because of your overwhelming generosity, every resident with PPL’s Cabrini Partnership Program

had a holiday gift to open, and with it, their sense of self-worth renewed. Your kindness warmed the hearts of both staff and residents. Thank you for sharing your treasures and affirming the humanity in all people.

~Lynn Weir, Volunteer and Administrative Specialist

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

Jan. 12 - Jan. 18: Actual $33,868 Budget $32,231 Prior Year Actual $33,721

YTD (July 1 - Jan. 11): Actual $1,105,204 Budget $1,105,808 Prior Year Actual $1,078,869

The Bottom Line: Contributions last week were $1,637 above budget. Year-to-date contributions were $604 below budget after an adjustment was made for a yearend donation that was in transit. We are currently on budget for the year. Thank you for your outstanding 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, Feb. 9 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Av. So. Carolyn Denton, MA, LN from Partners In Resilience will speak on Mindfulness as a method and meditative prac-tice to assist in living a well-balanced, low stress life. Light supper 5:45 pm; program 6:45 - 8:15

pm. All are welcome. 1.5 hours CEU available for professionals. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. Did You Know? The new Mental Health Connect program is up and running. Navigator Kristina Swanberg can assist individuals and families to obtain mental health treatment, resources, support and education at 612.312.3377 or kswanberg@bethlehem-church.org. SJA and Bethlehem are in the third year of collabora-tive mental health ministry; including partnership in Mental Health Connect. FFI about this program or how to assist St. Joan’s in becoming a funding partner, contact Fr. Jim DeBruycker or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. BeFriender Ministry: Need someone to talk to? BeFrienders are great confidential, listening companions. FFI call Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.2868 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. SJA/TRUST Grief Support: Thursday, Jan. 29 Brenda DeMotte, Professional Grief Counselor, will speak on Moving From Stress 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, Norine Larson, 952.925.2437 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. TRUST Grief Group Facilitators Needed: All training and

materials are provided to prepare you for this wonderful, supportive ministry. FFI call Norine Larson 952. 925.2437.

Youth Grief Services: Fairview Health Services is offering a 7-week grief support series for ages 4 through 18. Parents attend their own groups while the children attend theirs. Groups meet beginning Thursday, Feb. 5, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, at Fairview Education Center, Burnsville. There is no fee, pre-registration required by Jan. 28. FFI/to register call 952.892.2111.

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

Towards Health Care for All: Today at 12:45 pm, our SJA Conversations on Health Care network will host a dis-cussion in the Church with today’s pre-Mass speaker Dr. Ed Ehlinger. The conversation will be led by Dr. Ron Jankowski, Dr. Carol Krush and business and

community leader Jim Graves - all SJA parishioners involved in this network - we invite you to be part of the discussion and part of the solution! The next meeting of the network is Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 pm in the Parish Center, all interested health care profes-sionals and advocates are invited to attend.

Movies at SJA: Global stories of humanity's hope for peace and solidarity. Our SJA WAMM/Peacemakers will host a screening of The

Ghosts of Jeju on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7 pm in Hospitality Hall. This moving film depicts the resistance led by South Koreans and a legion of international peacemakers and

environmental protectors to a U.S. military base being constructed on a beautiful island in South Korea. FFI, go to www.theghostsofjeju.net. Sunday, Feb. 15, following the 11:00 Mass, join our Sister

Parish committee in the Parish Center for Recycled Life, a short film and Academy Award nominee that tells the story

of the incredible people who have lived and worked in the largest toxic landfill in Central America, recycling the city's trash. Discussion to follow, refreshments included! FFI, go to http://recycledlifedoc.com/

A Prayer from SJA for Those Awaiting Deportation: On Sunday, Feb. 1 we will board a bus to St. Paul's Adult Detention Center, where we will host our annual vigil for undocumented people awaiting deportation. This brief and beautiful vigil reminds those in detention that they are not forgotten, and lifts up our commitment to immigration reform that respects the rights of workers and keeps families together in dignity. To reserve a seat on the bus, contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center. We will return to SJA by 2 pm.

A Call for Immigration Reform: Tuesday, Feb. 17, Sr. Simone Campbell (executive director of the Network: A National Catholic Social Justice lobby and leader of Nuns on the Bus) will be at St. Catherine University to lead us in our call for true immigration reform. She and Dr. Bruce Corrie of Concordia University

will speak at the Coeur de Catherine Ballroom at 7pm.

SJA Housing Ministry Needs You: We have room on our Saturday, Feb. 7 and March 7 Housing Ministry teams with Urban Homeworks. No experience necessary - you will work with won-derful fellow SJAers helping to rehab a home that will provide beautiful and affordable housing for a low-income family (and our January team worked on a house with HEAT, so we are hoping that continues!). Contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center for more info on this great ministry.

LGBTQ Caregiver Support Group Kick-Off Brunch: In December, SJA awarded a Justice Grant to the Wilder Foun-dation for this new support group, which will kick off on Feb. 1, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at The Local. This new resource will be a great help to caregivers and we are proud to support it. RSVP at https://lgbtqcaregiverbrunch.eventbrite.com (and brunch is free!) FFI contact Xay Yang at xay.yang@wilder.org or 651.280.2456.

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

Our Family Lent Program Is Back! Join us as we partner with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre to create a production to be presented before the Family Masses on Palm Sunday. Participants will make masks, rehearse for the play and reflect on Lent. $10 fee/person or $25/family. FFI/to register con-tact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Lenten Reconciliation for Families: As Lent begins, take some time out for reflection with your whole family. On Feb. 22 at 4 pm, come to a Reconciliation service designed for families.

: 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 Cooperative is a wonderful community of families and volunteers that allows 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.

Grades 1 - 6 Schedule Today: Regular class and Family Masses Feb. 15: No class Presidents' Day holiday, regular Family Masses Feb. 22: Regular classes and Family Masses

Kids: Celebrate Your Gifts! On Feb. 21, at 10 am in the Church, we will have a talent show for grades 1 - 6, followed by a potluck lunch in Hospitality Hall. Run-through will be on Feb. 14. Register after Family Mass or contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

First Communion: 2nd grade families should look for your invita-tion letter to the parent/child preparation program this week. We will meet on March 15 at 12:30 pm in the Gym. First Communion information can be found at www.stjoan.com under the Sacra-ments/First Communion tab, or contact Marie Bissonnette.

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

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

Slopefest (grades 7-12): Join us for skiing and snowboarding. Friday, Feb. 13 - 16. $250 for skiers/snowboarders, + $10/day to rent skis, $20/day to rent snowboards. We will hit the slopes of Spirit Mountain in Duluth and stay at YMCA Camp Miller. Pick up permission slip in the Parish Center. FFI contact Donelle at dpoling@stjoan.com. Must register by Feb. 6.

Buck Hill Lock-in: Join us for an evening of skiing, snowboarding, tubing, indoor games, music and fun! Feb. 6. Bus leaves SJA at 9:30 pm and returns at 5:15 am! Cost is $45 and includes rental, lift ticket and tubing! Grades 7th - 12th. Adult leadership needed. FFI contact Donelle at dpoling@stjoan.com.

: FFI contact Julie McConaha at

612.823.8205 ext 226 or jmcconaha@stjoan.com.

Women's Voices Calling Our Church to Life! All women are invited to experience our friend Catherine Michaud, CSJ, Ph.D sharing voices of women of our past, in our Church today and how we will be calling the Church of tomorrow. Join us for breakfast Saturday, Feb. 7, 9 am - noon in Hospitality Hall. RSVP to the Parish Center. $5 free-will offering suggested.

Come to the Tree of Life! SJA Annual Men's Retreat is a growing group of men of all ages using their connection with SJA to broaden their network and spiritual perspec-tive. This is YOUR time! Saturday, Jan. 31, 9 am - 12:30 pm in Hospitality Hall and the Church. $15 free-will offering requested; lunch included. RSVP

to the Parish Center by Jan 28.

RCIA and All: Everyone is invited to learn more about our faith. On Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 pm in the Upper Room Julie Madden will speak on Catholic Social Teaching.

Islam, The Middle East, and How We Got Here: Gather for an in-depth talk with our friend Dr. Odeh Muhawesh and leave with a clearer understanding of what's behind this eternal conflict and the who, what and why of what we hear in daily news reports. Dr. Muhawesh is a globally-recognized business leader, theologian, Saint Thomas educator and past pre-Mass speaker. Bring your questions! Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Church.

#SJA<40 All adults in their 20s and 30s are most welcome to join this dynamic growing group! To join, FFI or to RSVP go to SJAUnderForty@stjoan.com. Next events: Feb. 1: Brunch at Turtle Bread after the 11 am Mass Feb. 17: Guilty Pleasures Mardi Gras, 7pm March 11: Serve Soup at SJA’s Soup Supper

Acts of the Apostles: Everyone is invited to join Scrip-ture Matters on this next selection, the Book of Acts. This study begins Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 pm in Hospitality Hall. Join our email list at jmcconaha@stjoan.com.

Parish Book Club: Everyone welcome, anytime! Wednesdays at 6:30 in the Parish Center. Join at jmcconaha@stjoan.com. Feb. 11: Until They Bring The Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon West March 11: The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorean

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