Presider: Fr. Jim DeBruycker

Pre-Mass Speaker: Sondra Samuels, executive director of the Northside Achievement Zone and a leader in our city. Sondra will be speaking on After Jamar, Where Do We Go From Here? Welcome, Sondra, and thank you for being with us.

We welcome singer Gwen Matthews to inspire our Gym liturgies today. As a longtime recording artist, Gwen has a new project that you will want to check out http://igg.me/at/GwenMatthews/x/2092485. Thank you as always!

In today’s Gospel Jesus reveals his mis-sion to give himself to the people, and we have a story called The Give-Away, inspired by a practice widespread among Northern Plains tribes to offer oneself for the sake of the people. In our story, the Creator gives to all the most precious gift of all.

I have a friend who every couple of months drops off about a hundred books that he gets from his brother, who is an avid reader (to say the least). Most of them are of the mystery or crime genre. When he delivers the books I pick out the series I follow and pass on the rest to staff or whoever is interested. Occasionally his brother has bought a complete new series so I can read the books in the proper order.

A couple of months ago I started reading the British mystery author, Philip Kerr and his Ber-nie Gunther series. Bernie is a German private eye, former cop, working in the Nazi era into the post war era. It is noir at its darkest. Poor Bernie tries to maintain a sense of integrity and dignity as he works with psychotic criminals both inside and outside of government.

The novels that are set in the immediate post war occupation of Berlin are the most notable. You get the almost suffocating sense of what it feels like to live in a destroyed society trying to put itself together again. A society whose economic system is based on barter and the black market where bits of the old system still hold some power and the abusive power of the occupying forces can put a sudden end to any plans. Poor Bernie!

Of course this world is still with us. One can only imagine what it’s like to live in Iraq as it tries to rebuild itself or day to day life in the ruined cities of Syria. Living by your wits is exhausting. You have to figure who is in power today and your life depends upon it.

The readings this week are about rebuilding ruined societies. In Nehemiah the devastated city of Jerusalem is being rebuilt, the walls are being restored and the Mosaic code of laws is being reinstated. The people break into tears of joy but they have been living by their wits for so long they are fearful that they might not be able to live up to this higher standard.

In the Gospel Jesus announces, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recov-ery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

He is declaring a reconstruction of a ruined society - us. He is calling us to be a better us, a repentant us, an us based on the law of love. It is initially well received but as the people pon-der him and what he is asking they change their tune and try to kill him. Not an auspicious beginning.

In a few short weeks we will begin Lent, a time in which we hold our life up to and against the model of Jesus. We try to build the city of God in the midst of the chaos but yet beauty of this world.

Sun, Jan. 24: Ne 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10; 1 Co 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21 Mon, Jan. 25: Acts of the Apostles 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18 Tue, Jan. 26: 2 Timothy 1:1-8; Luke 10:1-9 Wed, Jan. 27: 2 Samuel 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20 Thu, Jan. 28: 2 Samuel 7:18-19,24-29; Mark 4:21-25 Fri, Jan. 29: 2 Samuel 11:1-4a,5-10a,13-17; Mark 4:26-34 Sat, Jan. 30: 2 Samuel 12:1-7a,10-17; Mark 4:35-41 Sun, Jan. 31: Jer 1:4-5,17-19; 1 Cor 12:31-13:13; Luke 4:21-30

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; the Arc is the brick building across the street (corner of 45th and 3rd)

Sunday, January 24

Carmen Pampa Presentation, after Masses in the Upper Room

Tuesday, January 26

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Wednesday, January 27

New Member Dinner, 6:00 pm in Hospitality Hall

Thursday, January 28

8 am Mass in the Church

Choir, 7 pm in the Church

Sunday, January 31

Sister Parish Delegation Orientation, after Masses in the Upper Room

T.J. Anderson, Zachary Arlein, Pat B., Ray B., Sally Backstrom, Lois Ballard, Dennis Barta, Linda Baule, Margaret Berger, Alex Briner, Sara Brock, Anthony Brixius, Desmond Bryant, Tim Burd, 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, Colleen Dooley, Florence Duchscher, John & Margaret Frees, Ralph Gotto, Molly Gormley, Kathy Grauer, Tom Griep, Tom H., Linda Haeg, Jamel Harris, Pippa Hempe, Bernhard Hering, Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Mary Hoody, Jody Hughes, Kirk Ingram, Joe, Dan & Tom Jay, Thomas John, Eva Johnson, Paul Jonsson, Glen Kelley, Paul L., Amy Lainus,

Jim Lappen, Melinda Larsen, Rachel Larson, Gary Lindstrom, Eileen Lund, Kyle M., Jim Mars, Marie Marschel, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Marion Martens, Jackie Mead, Chuck Meiers, Dorothy Mongoven, Sid Monroe, Gene Muelken, Nate, David E. Nelson, Craig Norby, Mary Noviske,

David Novitske, Olivia, Doris Oakes, Sr. Dolores Oaks, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera, LuAnne Palmer, 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, Nancy Schneider, Aileen Sheppard, Sam Slagerman, Emily Slotness, Larry Somers, Jeff Stearns, Irene Taddiken, Marge Tax, James Tax, Matthew Tenant, Mary Eve Thomas, Gregory Thomas, Echo Thoren, Tim, Madison Travers, Carin Vagle, Fred Vagle, Leroy Vague,

Darlene Wheeler, Carol Whitlow, Ian Wiek, Phil Wixsten, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Ervin Wolf, 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 24: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass: SJA favorite Sondra Samuels returns to share the incredible work of the Northside Achievement Zone. Sondra's message is one of hope and unity for our city.

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

February 7: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker is pediatrician Dr. Stephen Nelson, speaking on Race, Racism and Medicine and sharing his work to decrease racial health care disparities.

Hold the Date: Sunday, February 21: Our pre-Mass speaker will be Sr. Simone Campbell – lawyer, executive director of NETWORK (the national Catholic social justice lobby), powerful advocate for peace and economic justice, and leader of “Nuns on the Bus”! We are thrilled to welcome her to SJA.

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 meet this Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 pm in the Church to rehearse for Ash Wednesday and Lent. Thank you for a wonderful MLK Sunday service and concert!! New Member Dinner ~ Wednesday, January 27: Welcome

to your new spiritual home! If you 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. If you registered this past year and were unable to attend a previous dinner, join us at this one!

RSVP to the Parish Center by Jan. 24, 612.823.8205. Sister Parish: Will You Go to Guatemala? Next Sunday, Jan. 31, following each Mass, join our Sister Parish committee in the Parish Center for more info on our 21 year Sister Parish relation-ship and an invitation to join an upcoming delegation to Tierra Nueva Dos in Guatemala. It is a life changing trip - come and learn more! LENT is Coming! It is not too early to mark your calendar for the start of our Lenten journey together. Wednesday, Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday 8 am Mass in the Church with distribution of ashes Noon Mass in the Church with distribution of ashes 5 pm Church open for private prayer and meditation 5 pm Soup Supper in Hospitality Hall! 6:15 pm Sing-a-long with Steve Kremer in the Church 7 pm Ash Wednesday Prayer Service in the Gym with distribution of ashes. Save your six Wednesdays from Feb. 10 to March 16 to

join the community for soup supper and participate in our wonderful Lenten Wednesday offerings at 6:30 pm.

Concert Series - Forever Everly: Sunday, April 17 at 7 pm a concert of great duets immortalized by the Everly Brothers with Paul and Tim Frantzich, Boyd and Aimee Lee, Mary Jane Alm and more! Tickets are on sale at www.stjoan.com. Sunday ticket sales resume on March 6. 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. 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 across from the food shelf bin in the Parish Center entrance. FFI contact mlf.mpls@gmail.com.

An Interfaith Peace Vigil Against War: 4:30 - 5:30 pm.

Wednesdays at the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge. Join us!

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

Week of January 3: Actual $25,430 Budget $26,752 Prior Year Actual $26,545

Week of January 10: Actual $24,693 Budget $26,752 Prior Year Actual $26,545

Week of January 17: Actual $28,060 Budget $26,752 Prior Year Actual $26,545

YTD (July 1 – Jan. 17): Actual $1,105,530 Budget $1,097,216 Prior Year Actual $1,075,992

Thank You!

Join the SJA Children’s Choir! If you are in grades 3-7, we want you to be part of our SJA Children’s Choir! The choir will have four exciting performances this Spring: April 17: Earth Day in the Gym Masses; April 24: Earth Day in the Family Masses; May 8: Children & Youth Sunday in the Gym Masses; May 14: Concert at Walker Methodist. Make friends while making music! Rehearsals will be in the Egan Room, 12:45 - 2 pm. on Feb. 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, April 3, 10 & May 1. Don’t miss the fun. Sign up with Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. 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. Baptisms Celebrated at SJA in January: Kelvin Chlebeck VanLeur; Zavier Fettig; Idalia Hanson; William Hamilton; Griffin Lynch; Hailey and Hannah Schwain. 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.

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. 8 in Hospitality Hall. Mental Health Connect - How it works: the Value of a Navigator and Certified Peer Specialist. Mental Health Connect staff, Kristina Swanberg and Liz Timm will discuss their work in guiding and supporting people in the search to locate the appropriate men-tal health resources. Designed for people living with mental illness, family, friends and

professionals. Light supper 5:45 pm; program 6:30 - 8 pm. All are welcome. 1.5 hours CEU's available. Free will offering ac-cepted. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. Did You Know? Our mental health ministry partner, Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be hosting NAMI MN's Family-to-Family 12-week educational series on Tuesdays beginning Feb. 9, 6 - 8:30 pm. The well-recognized classes are designed for family members and friends of individuals with a serious mental ill-ness taught by trained family members. Participants will gain insight and information to empower and support themselves and their loved one. Registration is required. FFI call Tammy, 612.618.4979, Beth, 651.210.5530 or go to www.namihelps.org/classes. BeFriender Ministry: Searching for some confidential, prayerful support during a difficult time? Contact Carolyn Dobis at 651.485.2868 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center to find out if our SJA BeFriender Ministry can help. SJA/TRUST Grief Support: Our Winter 9-week grief support series begins on Thursday, Jan. 28 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2914 W. 44th Street. The series opens with profession-al grief counselor, Lee Erickson's presentation Grief and Guilt! Registration and refreshments 6:15 pm; program 6:30 pm; facili-tated small groups 7 - 8 pm. Come for all or part of the even-ing. All are welcome. FFI contact coordinator, Norine Larson, 952.925.2437 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

News and Actions From ISAIAH: SJA is a member congregation of ISAIAH, working with more than 100 metro-area faith communi-ties for racial and economic justice in Minnesota. Upcoming op-portunities for involvement: On Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 7 pm in the Parish Center, join our

SJA ISAIAH core team for Corporate Power in Minnesota - a discussion about who truly benefits from our economic sys-tem and who is left out.

On Monday, Feb. 1, at 7 pm in the Parish Center, we will host a presentation on the Working Families Agenda in Minnesota, and what it means to all of us.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7 pm at Mayflower United Church of Christ, we will co-host an Encounter with the Leaders of Black Lives Matter. What are your questions about this move-ment? What is being asked of allies? What is being proposed for the future? Come and be a part of this crucial dialogue.

A Speak Out on ISIS: On Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 pm in Hospitality

Hall, our SJA WAMM/Peacemakers will host a community conversation to share what you are thinking and how you are feeling about terrorism in our world, what you are afraid of and how you think we can move forward. This is a time to

come together and voice what is concerning you. Please join us. SJA CARE Committee: God's Love in Action. In December - when so many of us were acutely aware of the abundance in our lives - our CARE Committee fielded 27 calls for emergency finan-cial assistance and were able to help 9 families stay in their hous-ing and keep utilities turned on. Imagine what a blessing this was to individuals and families in desperate need. Our thanks to our CARE Committee for your efforts, and profound gratitude to all of you who support the SJA Outreach Fund and make this possible. What a difference you make in so many lives. SJA Housing Ministry in Full Swing for 2016! On Saturday,

Feb. 6, you are invited to join our SJA Housing Ministry Team with Urban Homeworks, our treas-ured partner organization. Our SJA teams spend the day rehabbing a home in Minneapolis that will provide a beautiful and affordable rental or home ownership option to a low income family. No ex-

perience necessary - meet great people and do great work! FFI/to volunteer, contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center. Please Join Our Detention Center Prayer Vigil: On Sunday, Feb. 7, we invite you to join our annual prayer vigil outside the Adult Detention Center in St. Paul, where we will pray and sing (joined by the SJA choir) for those who are awaiting deportation and for all those impacted by our lack of humane and comprehen-sive immigration policy. The bus will leave SJA at 12:30 pm, we will vigil at 1 pm and we will return to SJA by 2 pm. Contact Julie Madden to reserve a seat on the bus, and to join this powerful witness.

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

Presentation and Coffee Tasting: Carmen Pampa is a unique college in rural Bolivia which many parishioners have supported - and it is a recipient of SJA Justice Grants. Today, Jan. 24, following both Masses, join Hugh Smeltekop, the Executive Di-rector, 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!

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 unique production of Jesus’ last days to be presented before the Family Masses on Palm Sunday. Come for Soup Supper and stay for evenings of fun and learning for all ages!

Five nights during Lent (Feb. 17, 24, March 2, 15 & 19, with two performances on March 20) participants will make masks, rehearse for the play and reflect on Lent guided by In the Heart of the Beast artists. $10 fee/person or $25/family. To register contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Save the Date: On Feb. 21 at 4 pm, come to the Church for a sac-ramental Reconciliation service designed for families. As Lent be-gins, take some time out for reflection with your whole family. Get ready for the season with song, story and prayer!

SJA Children’s Choir Wants You! If you are in grades 3 - 7, we want you to be part of our SJA Children’s Choir! The choir will have three exciting performances this Spring. Make friends while making music. Rehearsals begin on Feb. 21. Sign up with Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Camp St. Joan 2016 Italy! Save the dates: July 18 - 21. Registra-tion begins Feb. 1. If you would like to join the Camp Planning Committee please contact Therese at 612.823.8205 ext. 230 or tpendleton@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 & 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.

Class Schedule: January 24 & 31 and February 7: Regular classes February 14: No classes, President’s Weekend

Upcoming: First Communion registration and information meet-ing will be on March 13 at 12:30 pm in the Gym. If your child was not baptized at SJA, a copy of their baptismal certificate is required. FFI contact Marie at 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.

Buck Hill Overnight Lock-In: Join us Feb. 5, 10 pm - 5 am at Buck Hill for a night of skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and indoor games and music! Cost is $45 and includes lift ticket, rentals, lessons, and tubing! Friends are welcome! Permission slip can be found online. FFI contact Kelley Deshler, kdeshler@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 x254. 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 snowboard-ers. 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.

Parish Book Club: We meet monthly on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center to discuss our experience with great stories. Everyone is welcome, anytime! Here is what to read next: Feb. 9 (date changed due to Ash Wednesday). A Separate Peace by John Knowles. The SJA Annual Men’s Retreat: Please join the men of St. Joan of Arc for Finding Support in an Often Puzzling World on Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 am - 1:30 pm, in the Arc (45th & 3rd Ave., across from the Church). $15 includes lunch, RSVP to the Parish Center. 2nd Monday Dialogue with SAGES: Enjoy coffee and dialogue with presenter Lynne Warfel, MPR broadcaster and host of Flicks in Five. The topic is Movie Music and Academy Awards. Monday, Feb. 8, 1:30-3 pm, in Hospitality Hall. Join the Women of SJA for an educational event on the topic of

refugees on Feb. 13, 9 am - noon, in Hospitality Hall. Loan Huynh, an immigration attorney and member of the board of directors of the Advocates for Human Rights, will be our speaker. Suggested $5 free will offering.

RSVP by Feb. 9 to the Parish Center or online at www.stjoan.com.

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

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