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Authentic Divine Friendship
Written by Fr. Don Kline on January 29, 2012
Brother Innocent Smith, O.P. once wrote this about friendship: "One of the signs of a true friendship is that friends can be silent together without awkwardness. Communication is indeed an integral part of friendship, but in a true friendship the simple presence of the other is at times enough. Conversations in such circumstances do not require the rapidity and immediacy that an audience needs to stave off boredom, for here there is no audience but only players. There is time to formulate one's response to a question, to savor the company of the friend."
This paragraph reminded me of a cross-country trip that a friend of mine and I took once. While we made our way from Phoenix to St. Meinrad as seminarians in a beat up pick up truck, there were great conversations about life, politics and religion. There were rosaries and we even sang a few songs. But I distinctly remember that some of the greatest moments were just traveling together on the journey of life when words were just not necessary. There was something sacred about those moments as odd as that sounds.
Intimate friendships are a necessary part of human life. But we are also called to something even more wonderful: friendship with God. God speaks to us in so many ways such as in the Sacred Scriptures, through his prophets and apostles, and most especially through His Son and Our Lord. And still today, Jesus invites us to spend time with him, sometimes in simple conversations, sometimes by praying with Him the psalms which speak of Him, but at other times simply by enjoying His Presence in the silence of friendship.
This is precisely why our parish instituted perpetual adoration last May. We wanted people to enjoy the silence of friendship with Our Lord. We wanted to foster the value of silence. We wanted people to value simply "being" instead of always "doing."
As we continue our parish stewardship drive, I hope you have the opportunity to become more involved in our parish through one of the many ministries that are offered here. But I hope you begin in contemplations of the mysteries of God in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I am writing this invitation to you now as in few short weeks, Lent will be upon us. One of the pillars of Lent is, of course, more prayer. Could you possibly give yourself a greater gift than building a better relationship with the Lord where words no longer matter?
God Bless, Fr. Don Kline
Video Gallery
Help Wanted: Gift Shop
Thank you for the very positive response to our St. Joan of Arc gift shop. We would like to reopen the gift shop by the end of January in a permanent location. Our initial plans are to be open after Masses on the weekends. If we get enough demand and volunteers, we might open a morning and evening during the week. We need volunteers to work approximately 2-hour shifts on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings and early afternoons.
Contact Deb Jones at the parish office or e-mail her at djones@stjoanofarc.com. The sooner we get volunteers, the sooner we can open.
[ Gift Shop ]
Knights of Columbus - January Events
Living Rosary - Sat, Jan 21 after 4:30p Mass
Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade
Rosary at Planned Parenthood
Every Tuesday at 6:00pm, members of the
K of C pray the rosary at Planned Parenthood
at 32nd Street & Thunderbird Road. Mem
bers of the parish are invited to join in our
efforts to end abortion.
Basketball Free Throw Contest/
Boys & Girls/10/14
Winners in each age group. Jan 24/25
5:00-7:00p in Weidner Hall. Local winners
advance to District Level; District winners
advance to State Level.
Each participant receives a certificate.
Corporate Communion - Sun, Jan 22
The SJA Council will have a corporate com
munion at the 10:30 Mass. Members and
families are urged to attend.
Priest Appreciation Dinner - Fri,
Jan 27
At SS. Simon & Jude.
All priests in Phoenix
Diocese are invited to attend.
Pancake Breakfast - Sun, Jan 29
after 8:30a & 10:30a Masses.
Parish and public are invited to attend. Adults $5.00 per per
son. Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Watch upcoming bulletins for more details.
[ Knights of Columbus ]
Upcoming Retreats
Feb 10-12: Married Couples Celebrating Any 5-year Anniversary, Mount Claret Retreat Center, Phoenix.
Visit www.crosier.org for more information.
Mar 23-25: Graduating College Students, Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale.
Visit www.crosier.org for more information.
[ Retreats ]
Preschool Open House
Jan 29, 2012 to Feb 2, 2012
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, or visit our totally secured campus during our Open Houses on Sun, Jan 29 from 9:00a-12:00p OR Thu, Feb 2 from 6:00-7:30p.
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 selfesteem necessary to ensure a lifetime love of learning, as well as a love of our Lord. In addition, our children are able to experience His love and blessings through our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.
Click on our preschool link for additional information on our exceptional program. Childcare assistance is now available to qualified applicants through DES!
[ Preschool ]
Family Evangelization Night #2
Jan 30, 2012 (5:00p)
Our last E-Night (Adoration at the Manger) was such a amazing success, that I would like the momentum to continue each month as we gather together. Our next E-Night will be on Mon, Jan 30, at 5:00p in Widener Hall. As always, the evening will conclude with cookies and cocoa.
[ Faith Formation ]
Youth - High School
Jan 30, 2012
Join us Mon, Jan 30 for a night on “Marriage.” The night ends at 8:00p.
+[ Youth Ministry ]
Next Senior Advisory Board Meeting is Thu, Feb 2 at 9:15a in the lounge.
Feb 2, 2012 (9:15a)
[ Senior Group ]
"Save Our Parish" Collection
Feb 5, 2012
Our second collection on Sun, Feb 5 is to the “Save Our Parish” fund. If you are currently paying a pledge for the parish debt, please continue to use the yellow envelope which is collected the third Sunday of the month. This way we can properly account for you pledge. The “Save Our Parish” envelope is for new expenses which arise for the maintenance and upkeep of the parish campus.
[ ]
Senior Group: Hawaiian Dancers Performance
Feb 23, 2012 (8:45a - 10:30a)
Thu, Feb 23, is a performance by “Hawaiian Dancers” at Blessed Sacrament Parish. It all starts at 9:00a with registration and hospitality. The dancers begin at 9:30a and end at 10:30a. We carpool from SJA at 8:45a.
[ Senior Group ]
Senior Group: Matazal Casino trip
Feb 28, 2012 (8:00a)
Tue, Feb 28, we go to the Mazatzal Casino in Payson. Phone Joanne at 602-953-9324 for a reservation on the bus. Be at the Chapel parking lot by 8:00a.
[ Senior Group ]
3rd Annual Nun Run
Mar 10, 2012
The Poor Clare Nuns invite you to participate in their 3rd Annual Nun Run in Tempe on Sat, Mar 10. Registration for 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Walk is $25.00 (before Feb 25) and includes a T-shirt and post race refreshments.
To learn more about the Poor Clare Nuns and to register/donate, please visit their website at www.desertnuns.com.[ Poor Clares Fundraiser ]
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Mar 23, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012
“Teach me your ways, O Lord!” The Lord wants us to call upon Him daily so that He can guide us and teach us. Do we allow the Lord to teach us His ways so that we can love and honor our spouse more each day? Attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and receive the necessary tools to allow God to take the lead in your marriage.
Deepen your communication, strengthen your relationship, rekindle your romance and renew your sacrament by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in the Phoenix Metro Area on Mar 23-25.
For more information & registration www.wwme-phx.org or call 602-242-6141.
[ Marriage Encounter ]
Mark Your Calendar: Parish Festival May 4-5
May 4, 2012 to May 5, 2012
St. Joan of Arc will be having a spring festival Friday and Saturday, May 4 & 5, in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. We will be looking for volunteers to help with food, games, entertain- ment, vendor booths, and much more.
If you know of anyone who might be willing to provide entertainment on either of those evenings OR if you'd like to volunteer, please email Deb at djones@stjoanofarc.com.
[ Parish Festival ]