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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Written by Fr. Don Kline on May 20, 2012
This past week, Bishop Doherty forwarded a new website sponsored by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops about the Sacrament of Marriage. As marriage is under attack today, we would all do well to familiarize ourselves with the church's teaching that is clearly given on this site.
A few days later, I watched a Vice President Joe Biden interview--a life long Catholic during which the vice president, without giving any detail of his position, sanctioned "gay marriage" and credited the situation comedy, "Will and Grace" for opening the American mind to gay people. Needless to say, I was saddened.
The topic of gay marriage on its surface is most often defined in terms of rights and feelings. And who wants to be on the opposing side of a debate that the secular media and world has championed and where any opposition is framed in terms of bigotry and hatred? Still it is perhaps one of the most important debates in which Catholics must engage in the modern day.
In one section of the website named below, there is a specific precursor to the issue of gay marriage. It explains that, "The body – male or female – is an essential part of being human. Gender is not an afterthought or a mere social construct. The body shapes what it means to love as a human person. It continues: The word "marriage" isn't simply a label that can be attached to different types of relationships. Instead, "marriage" reflects a deep reality – the reality of the unique, fruitful, lifelong union that is only possible between a man and a woman.
As we know, the intimate union of marriage is the only context for the transmission of human life. No other relationship, no matter how loving or committed, can have this unique form of commitment.
One conclusion caught my eye on which we should all seriously reflect. That is: The love between a husband and a wife involves a free, total, and faithful mutual gift of self that not only expresses love, but also opens the spouses to receive the gift of a child. (Read that one twice!)
What I love about this statement is the consistency of the Catholic position. That is, many human relationships are loving. But Jesus instituted marriage as the only sanctioned relationship with this two-fold purpose. That is, a sacramental bond of intimate love (unitive) that can produce human life (procreative). This is what God ordained and intends.
So what falls short of the ideal? A gay marriage relationship does not meet these criteria as there can be no transmission of life. But as Catholics, we need to remind ourselves that other sexual expression outside and even inside marriage fall short as well. Let's be specific: cohabitation, masturbation, a marriage that includes artificial contraception, oral sex, polygamy and so on.
I believe that our often-casual dissent about the purpose and context of human sexuality has paved the way for the current debate about gay marriage. We have fallen down a slippery slope that Pope Paul VI warned us about some 43 years ago when he wrote Humane Vitae. That is, sexual expression is now seen as a right, not a gift, and with few to no parameters, context or limits. Sadly, for many, absent the procreative dimension, sexual expression has been reduced to mere instinct and this has had disastrous affect on our world. One of those effects is the assault on the institution of marriage.
The Bishops have done a great service to the church by compiling this website. Please take some time to educate yourself and be prepared to charitably explain the truth to others. Please visit www.marriageuniqueforareason.org.
God Bless, Fr. Kline
Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,
La semana pasada, El Obispo Doherty envió un nuevo sitio web auspiciado por la Conferencia Nacional de Obispos Católicos a cerca del Sacramento del Matrimonio. Como el matrimonio está siendo atacado hoy en día, hacemos bien en familiarizarnos con las enseñanzas de la Iglesia claramente explicadas en este sitio web.
Unos pocos días más tarde, escuché la entrevista al Vicepresidente Joe Biden—un católico de por vida en la que el vicepresidente, sin dar detalles de su posición, aprobó "el matrimonio entre homosexuales" y le dio crédito a la comedia de situación "Voluntad y Gracia" por abrirle la mente a los americanos a cerca de los homosexuales. No es necesario decir lo desilusionado que me sentí.
El tema del matrimonio entre homosexuales en su superficie con mayor frecuencia se define en términos de derechos y sentimientos. ¿Y quién quiere estar al lado opuesto de un debate en que los medios de comunicación secular y el mundo han defendido y donde cualquier tipo de oposición se formula en términos de la intolerancia y el odio? A pesar de todo, es quizás uno de los más importantes debates en el cual los Católicos deben participar en la vida moderna.
En una sección del sitio web nombrado al final de este artículo, hay un precursor al tema del matrimonio entre homosexuales. Explica que, "el cuerpo – masculino o femenino – es una parte esencial del ser humano. El género no es una ocurrencia tardía o una mera construcción social. Las formas del cuerpo es lo que significa amar a una persona humana. Y continua: la palabra "matrimonio" no es simplemente una etiqueta que se puede poner a diferentes tipos de relaciones. Por el contrario, "matrimonio" refleja una intensa realidad – la realidad de la única relación fructífera y para toda la vida que solamente es posible entre un hombre y una mujer."
Como bien sabemos, la unión íntima del matrimonio es el único contexto para la transmisión de la vida humana. Ninguna otra relación, sin importar cuánto amor o compromiso, puede tener esta forma única de compromiso.
En conclusión, me llamó la atención sobre lo que todos debemos reflexionar seriamente. Esto es: El amor entre un esposo y una esposa implica un don recíproco, libre, total, fiel y de si mismo que no solamente expresa el amor, pero que se abre a los esposos para recibir el regalo de un niño o niña. (Lea este párrafo dos veces)
Lo que me gusta de este comunicado es la consistencia de la posición Católica. Esto es, muchas relaciones humanas son cariñosas. Pero Jesús instituyó el matrimonio como la única relación para este doble propósito. Esto es, una unión sacramental de amor íntimo (unitivo) que puede producir una vida humana (procreativo). Esto es lo que Dios ordenó y se propone.
Entonces, ¿qué se queda corto de lo ideal? Una relación de matrimonio entre homosexuales no cumple con estos criterios porque no puede haber transmisión de vida. Pero nosotros como católicos, tenemos que recordar otras expresiones sexuales fuera y aun dentro del matrimonio que también se quedan cortas. Especifiquemos: la cohabitación, masturbación, un matrimonio que incluye, sexo oral, poligamia y así sucesivamente.
Creo que nuestra continua disidencia informal acerca de la finalidad y el contexto de la sexualidad humana, han allanado el camino para el debate actual sobre el matrimonio entre homosexuales. Hemos caído en una pendiente resbaladiza que el Papa Pablo VI nos advirtió hace cerca de 43 años cuando escribió Humane Vitae. Esto es, la expresión sexual está vista ahora como un acto correcto, no un regalo, y con pocos o sin ningún parámetro, contexto o límites. Tristemente, para muchos, la dimensión procreativa, la expresión sexual ha sido reducida al puro instinto y esto ha tenido efectos desastrosos en el mundo. Uno de esos efectos es el asalto a la institución del matrimonio.
Los Obispos han dado un gran servicio a la iglesia al recopilar estos datos en el sitio web. Por favor tome un tiempo para educarse y estar preparado para que con caridad explique la verdad a otros. Por favor visite: www.marriageuniqueforareason.org.
Que Dios los bendiga,
Padre Kline
Video Gallery
Confirmation/First Eucharist Dates
We have received our Confirmation/First Eucharist dates/times from the diocese. Please mark your calendars. They are as follows:
(Spanish) Sat, May 19 at 1:00p
(English) Wed, May 23 at 6:00p
Ya recibimos las fechas y hora para la Ceremonia de Primera Eucaristía y Confirmacion de parte de la Diócesis. Por favor marquen su calendario. Las fechas son las siguientes:
Español: Sábado 19 de Mayo a la 1:00p
Ingles: Miércoles, 23 de Mayo a las 6:00p
[ Religious Education ]
St. Joan of Arc Preschool...Now Enrolling!
St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Preschool is presently accepting registration for 2012/2013 school year! Call (602)867-9179 to schedule a personal tour of our secure campus. Our low student/teacher ratio, nurturing environment, emphasis on moral development and service to others, along with academic skills, ensures that your child develops the self-esteem necessary to ensure a lifetime love of learning, as well as a love of our Lord. Our children are also able to experience His love and blessings through our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Click on our preschool link at www.stjoanofarc.com for additional information on our exceptional program. Childcare assistance is now available to qualified applicants through DES!
Preschool Scholarships Available
Thanks to our new partnership with Quality First, St. Joan of Arc Preschool has scholarships available for the upcoming school year! Quality First is a program designed to ensure that all children in Arizona ages birth to five receive the
best opportunities to ensure they grow up healthy and enter Kindergarten ready to succeed. This is a great opportunity
to begin your preschoolers’ Catholic education, and nourish your child’s soul as well as his/her mind! If you are a St.
Joan of Arc parishioner with children ranging in age from 2½-5, please contact Debbie at 602-867-9179 if you would like
to be considered for a scholarship!
Se ofrecen Becas para el Preescolar
Gracias a nuestra nueva asociación con “Quality
First”, Primera Cualidad, el preescolar de Santa
Juana de Arco ¡ofrece becas para el año escolar
venidero! Quality First es un programa designado
para
asegurar
que
todos
los
niños
de
Arizona,
entre
las
edades
del
nacimiento
hasta
los 5 años,
reciban
las
mejores
oportunidades
para
su crecimiento
sano
y
entren
a
Kindergarden
listos
para
triunfar.
Esta
es
una
gran
manera
de
comenzar
la
educación
preescolar
Católica,
y
¡nutrir
el
alma
al
tiempo
con
su
mente!
Si
usted
es
un
feligrés
de
Santa
Juana
de
Arco
con
niños
entre
los
2½ a
5
años,
¡por
favor
comuníquese
con
Debbie
llamando
al
602-867-9179
si
a
usted
le
interesa
esta
beca!
[ Preschool ]
Help Wanted: Weekly Collection Verification
We are in need of a few people to help verify our weekly collections. For more information please call me at 602-867-9171 x314 or email me at meupell@stjoanofarc.com.
[ ]
Farewell to Fr. Floridi
We will be hosting a farewell gathering after Masses on Jun 3, 9 and 19 to give all parishioners an opportunity to give Fr. Floridi best wishes on his new parish assignment.
Fr. Floridi will be on hand after the 12:30p Spanish Mass on Sun, June 3 and after all English Masses on Saturday and Sunday, Jun 9 and 10. Please take time to stop in the Weidner Hall to give Fr. Floridi your best wishes.
[ ]
Maggie’s Place Long-Term Volunteers Needed!
Do you know someone who would want to spend a year intensely loving, growing, and giving by living in community and empowering pregnant women? Maggie’s Place is in need of volunteers to commit to a year of service starting this July! Room and board are provided as well as health insurance and a small stipend.
For more information, please contact Sarah Redford at 602-262-5555 or mpstaff@maggiesplace.org.
[ Maggie's Place ]
Knight of Columbus State Raffle
May 19, 2012
1st prize: Cruise for 2, 7 nights to St. Petersburg and Baltic
2nd prize: Trip for 2 to Western Mediterranean
3rd prize: Trip for 2 to Alaska
4th prize: $2500
5th & 6th prize: $1500
7th & 8th prize: $1000
9th & 10th prize: $500
Tickets are $5 each or a book of 5 for $20. Winner need not be present to win. See any SJA Council member for tickets.
Prizes may not be exchanged for cash, but may be switched to another trip of equal value.
[ Knights of Columbus Raffle ]
Single Souls Meeting
May 19, 2012 (7:00p)
Catholic? Single? Widowed, Divorced or Separated? Over 35?
Join Single Souls Saturday evening, May 19 at 7:00p in Joseph’s House, 11001 N. 40th Street for “Resurrection” presented by Bill Brophy. The Lord is alive – resurrected from the dead! Without this singular event our faith is foolish, St. Paul tells us. Come learn more from Bill, a Catholic layman who is a practicing physician and who has a Master of Theology degree from Ave Maria University, about what the Resurrection means for us all and why it changes the history of humanity forever.
For information call Dan at 480-941-5952 or Karen at 602-332-1737.
[ Singles ]
Body for Christ
May 21, 2012 (9:00a)
Get Holy and Fit this summer! Monday-Friday 8:30a Mass followed by exercise program (P90X) all summer long in Santa Maria! All ages are welcome! Begins Mon, May 21. Email Jesse-Lee for info at jesse.lee.y5@gmail.com. Donate: Have extra dumbbells or stretch bands laying around? We could use them this summer!
¡Logre ser santo y póngase en forma este verano! Lunes y Viernes 8:30 am Misa seguida por ejercicios (P90X) durante todo el verano en Santa María. ¡Todas las edades son bienvenidas! Principia el Lunes Mayo 21. Email Jesse-Lee para informacion at jesse.lee.y5@gmail.com. Donaciones: ¿Tiene campanas de mano o bandas elásticas que le sobren? ¡Nosotros las podemos usar este verano!
[ ]
Young Adults (18-29, Married & Single) Study Group
May 23, 2012 (7:30p)
Next study group meeting is Wed, May 23 at 7:30p. Email Zack for location and other events.
La próxima reunión del grupo de estudio: Miercoles, 23 de mayo a las 7:30 p. Email Zack para saber el lugar y otros eventos.
[ Young Adults ]
KofC Bingo Night
May 24, 2012 (5:00p)
The SJA Knights of Columbus Monthly Thursday Nite Bingo is Thu, May 24 in Weidner Hall. Play all games for only $20! Doors open at 5:00p. Concessions are available. Open to the public.
[ Knights of Columbus ]
Lector Auditions
May 26, 2012 (10:00a - 12:00p)
Did you know that the reading oi Scripture has been a part of our Liturgy from the earliest days oi the primitive Church? This ancient tradition continues today through the Ministry oi the Lector, If you are a full time parishioner and are able to read in public, read clearly and whh good voice projection, and you have a reverence for and devotion to the Word of God, then you are invitied to audition for the Lector Ministry.
Sat, May 26, 10:00a-noon, in Senior Lounge AND Sat, Jun 2, 10:00a-noon, in the Church. Attendance at both sessions is required.
To register and for more information regarding Diocesan requirements, please call Bob Weidner at 602-682-5369.
[ Training ]
Union with Christ
May 26, 2012 (9:15a)
You are invited to The Confraternity of Christ’s Peaceful Sacred Heart. We meet the 4th Saturday of each month - our next meeting is Sat, May 26 at 9:15a in the Gomes Library (after the 8:30a Mass).
Come grow in union with Christ. Meetings include prayer, ancient Lectio Divina, magisterial church teaching, wisdom of the saints, refreshment, formation and friendship with others as we grow into the image of Christ – in the hope of bringing His light to the world. "He belongs to you, but more than that, he longs to be in you, living and ruling in you..." St. John Eudes. For more information call: 602-312-3246.
[ ]
Senior Group: Farewell Luncheon for Fr. Nick Floridi
May 31, 2012 (11:30a)
Thursday, May 31, we’ll have a farewell luncheon for Fr. Nick Floridi who is leaving SJA June 10. This will be in Weidner Hall at 11:30a. Only $3.00, Lunch will include two kinds of sub sandwiches (turkey and beef), macaroni salad, chips and dessert. Please come and honor Fr. Nick!
[ Senior Group ]
Parish Rummage Sale
Jun 1, 2012 to Jun 2, 2012
Clean out your closets!!! We have moved the date of the parish rummage sale to Fri and Sat, Jun 1 & 2. Watch the bulletin for more details. And, yes, we will need volunteers to help unload, sort, price, run concessions, etc. Sign up will begin the middle of May. Let’s make this year even bigger and better than last.
¡Limpie su armario o closet! Hemos cambiado la fecha para la venta de artículos de segunda mano para el Viernes 1 y Sábado 2, de Junio. Miren el boletín para más detalles. Y, sí, necesitamos voluntarios para ayudar a descargar, escoger, clasificar, atender las concesiones, etc. Regístrese principiando a mediados de Mayo. Hagamos de la venta de este año, la mejor de todas.
[ Rummage Sale ]
Help Wanted: Parish Rummage Sale
Jun 1, 2012 to Jun 2, 2012
Fri and Sat, Jun 1 & 2, we will need volunteers to help unload, sort, price, run concessions, etc. Sign up will begin the middle of May. Let’s make this year even bigger and better than last.
Viernes y Sábado 1 y 2 de Junio, necesitaremos voluntarios para ayudar a descargar, clasificar, marcar precios, atender las concesiones, etc. Inscríbase del 15 de Mayo en adelante. Hagamos de la venta de este año, la mejor de todas.
[ Rummage Sale ]
Senior Group: Luncheon
Jun 14, 2012
Thu, Jun 14, we’ll have our last luncheon until early August. You love the wonderful selections of potlucks so that’s what it will be on the 14th. Please bring something in a salad, main dish or dessert.
[ Senior Group ]
Vacation Bible School
Jun 18, 2012 to Jun 22, 2012 (8:30a - 1:00p)
Vacation Bible School will be Jun 18-22 from 8:30a-1:00p each day. Be sure to reserve your child’s spot now! ONLINE REGISTRATION BEGAN APR 9.
Escuela de Biblia durante la Vacación. Asegúrese de reservar su lugar pronto. Se puede registrar por medio del Internet, principiando el 9 de Abril.
[ Vacation Bible School ]
Vacation Bible School "Adventures Around the World"
Jun 18, 2012 to Jun 22, 2012 (8:15a - 1:00p)
Saint Joan of Arc’s 2012 Vacation Bible School “Adventures Around The World!!!”
Camp for Preschool to 6th grade. Community Service Hours available for volunteers 7th graders to Seniors.
Dates: June 18-22
Time: 8:15a - 1:00p
This is a great opportunity for the children to learn about our beautiful Catholic Faith, while having fun too. And Friday will be ‘water day’!!!
***Limited spots...so be sure to sign up today online***
Escuela Biblica de Vacaciones 2012 de Santa Juana de Arco “Adventures Around The World!!!”
Para niños/as de Preescolar- 6º Grado. Habrá oportunidades para que jóvenes de 7-High School hagan Horas de Servicio Comunitario!!!
Fechas: June 18-22
Horario: 8:15a-1:00p
Esta es una gran oportunidad para que los niños aprendan acerca de nuestra Hermosa fe Católica, y al mismo tiempo se diviertan! J Y el Viernes tendremos juegos de agua!!!!!
***Hay espacio limitado, inscríbase ahora en nuestro sitio web***
[ Vacation Bible School ]
Youth - Junior High
Jun 23, 2012
Junior High Disneyland Trip June 23. Email Tara Smith for details smith.rev21@gmail.com.
Viaje a Disneylandia para los JH el 23 de Junio. Email Tara Smith para más detalles smith.rev21@gmail.com.
[ Youth Ministry ]
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Jul 20, 2012 to Jul 22, 2012
Allow Jesus to be Lord of your marriage relationship; attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend and let God strengthen, renew your sacrament by deepen your communication, strengthen your relationship, and rekindling your romance. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in the Phoenix area is on July 20-22.
For more information contact us at 602-242-6141 or info@wwme-phx.org.
[ Worldwide Marriage Encounter ]
Mark Your Calendar: Parish Festival is now Oct 25-27
Oct 26, 2012 to Oct 28, 2012
The festival efforts will be concentrated on the Fall Festival scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 25, 26 and 27. Mark these dates on your calendars. We already have the rides contract signed so it is sure to happen. Keep your eyes on the bulletin for further updates as we will begin having planning meetings for food, games, entertainment and other excitement, starting in May. We still need your time. So make your plans now to help out.
[ Parish Festival ]