Blessed Stanley Rother

09-24-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Fr. Stanley Rother's beatification was held in Oklahoma City last Saturday. This is the 14th United States Saint. The U.S.A. also has its first beatified martyr.

So who is Fr. Stanley Rother? He was a farm boy raised from our nation's heartland. He was raised in Okarche, Oklahoma and his Catholic parish, school and family farm were the pillars of his life. He had good priestly examples so that when the Holy Spirit called him to priestly ministry, he had good examples to guide him.

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Together Let us go Forth

09-17-2017Pastor's LetterBishop Thomas J. Olmsted

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This past week on the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross and the 30th anniversary of St. John Paul II's historical visit to the Arizona desert, I formally announced to the public a campaign to strengthen evangelization and discipleship efforts in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Bishop Olmsted's Complete Letter

True Confessions

09-10-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Do you know that people “confess” all the time today? Not to a priest and certainly not in the confessional (the normal place people go to receive the sacrament of confession). No, very often people share their sins openly… with the world… on the web… without any hope of counsel, penance, or absolution. Some people post all kinds of sins on Facebook, tweets and so on. Tragically, people can search for a solution to their problems in the wrong places.

A brother priest recently found a number of “confession websites.” Some were just places that troubled people typed regrets for all to see. But one of them even used Catholic confessional verbiage and had a disclaimer that read, “This is a free service provided for the Internet community and not endorsed by the Church…”

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Labor Day

09-03-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I recently had an entire day off away from the parish. So I went to visit with my brother and his family. As I drove off for the day, I realized that I forgot my smart phone. I almost turned back, but thought twice. Perhaps, from time to time, I need to be less connected to my email, text messages and phone that seem to keep my priestly duties front and center.

It was an interesting and good day. I noticed that it was difficult to not be plugged in. I was nervous that some crisis was not being tended to, despite the fact that my capable Parochial Vicar, Fr. Daniel, was at the parish and ready for duty. By the end of the day, I realized too, that constant multitasking between work and leisure isn’t so leisurely. And that even doing my beloved priestly ministry, I have to live a life that balances work, faith, leisure, family and so on. It was a timely experience as we approached Labor Day.

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Founding Father

08-27-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Much ink has been spilled in recent days about the founding fathers of our country. Today's readings present the real Founding Father… Our Heavenly Father… God. Moreover, the readings answer the question of God's existence, the divinity of Jesus and the divine authority of the Church. The first question of God’s existence is a question that I am sure every serious philosopher, theologian, and grandmother must address. Does God exist? Today's Scripture readings answer the question of God’s existence. St. Paul proclaims: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are His judgments and how unsearchable His ways!"

St. Paul knows that God is far beyond human reason but St. Paul and countless other holy men and women throughout history have shown us that it is reasonable to believe in God. In fact, St. Paul argues that it is unreasonable to deny God's existence: those who deny God’s existence have blurred reality with fantasy. You can read Paul's argument for yourself in Romans. That being said, faith AND reason go together. Actually, faith perfects reason and leads us to a more complete and holy life. Pray that your faith may be strengthened so that you can grow in your love for God who is love.

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The Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima The 100th Anniversary and Online Giving

08-20-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

October 13, 2017 is the closing of the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. Our parish will be marking this historic event by offering the Rosary after the Monday 6:00pm Mass from now on. All are invited to bring your family to pray the rosary at 6:30pm every Monday beginning in September. We will also begin First Friday Devotions with Adoration beginning immediately after the 8:30am Mass until Benediction which will be at 6:00pm. This will happen every First Friday of the month beginning September 1, 2017.

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A Rule of Life

08-13-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

St. Joan of Arc is blessed to have a variety of speakers and missionaries visit our parish throughout the year. During our last parish mission, Fr. Zachary spoke so beautifully about five important “rules” that can be a part of our lives every day of our life. I wanted to offer them to you once again in case you were not able to make the mission this year.

[1]The first rule begins when we rise from bed. First thing in the morning say: "This is the first and greatest of all the commandments, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, and with your whole mind, and with all your strength’ and the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Next, say the morning offering: "O Jesus, in union with your Most Precious Blood, poured out on the cross and offered in every Mass, I offer you today my prayers, works, joys, sorrows, and sufferings for the praise of Your Holy Name and all the desires of Your Sacred Heart; in reparation for sin, for the conversion, of sinners, the union of all Christians and our final union with You in heaven."

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Mary – Our Life, Our Sweetness and, most especially, Our Hope (Part Two)

08-06-2017Pastor's LetterDeacon Peter Auriemma

Our Lady told the shepherd children at Fatima that at her last visit with them, all people there would witness a miracle which would prove that her apparitions were true. On October 13, 1917, despite a heavy downpour of rain, an estimated 70,000 people flocked to the field near Fatima to witness this amazing "Miracle of the Sun", and they were not disappointed. They saw the sun make several whirling circles and move around in the sky, and at one point, the sun grew larger, and it appeared that the sun would come crashing down to earth. When the sun returned to its normal place in the heavens, the Lady proved just how much she loves and cares for her children - everyone and everything was dry!

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Mary – Our Life, Our Sweetness and, most especially, Our Hope (Part One)

07-30-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

While the month of May is specifically dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, almost every month the Church celebrates a special feast day in her honor. On August 15, the Church gives us the great Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. We celebrate the fact that Mary was “assumed” or physically taken up into Heaven, not only her soul, but her human body as well. Jesus ascended into Heaven on His own power with His glorified and resurrected body and took His place “at the right hand of the Father”. As the world starts to look forward to the end of summer and the coming of another harvest season, the Church wants us to remember that at the end of Mary’s earthly life, her soul was reunited with her body, and she was taken up into Heaven with this glorified body to dwell forever in new life in the Kingdom of her Son.

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St. Joan of Arc Preschool

07-23-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We at St. Joan of Arc Preschool are making plans for the start of a new school year. Already, the classrooms are beginning to fill up with eager students ready to learn about God and the things of God. We offer a variety of classes based on the age of your child, along with a Before Care/Lunch Bunch/After Care program that extends the day from 8:00am-3:30pm for working families:

  •  3 Year olds & 2 ½ year olds (must be potty trained) - 3 day program (Tues/Wed/Th) or
    4 day program (Mon-Thurs) from 9:00am-12:00pm.
  • Jr. Pre K – 3 day program (Tues/Wed/Th) or 4 day program (Mon - Thurs) from 9:00am-12:00pm. Child must be 4 by 12/31.
  • Pre K – 4 day program (M-Th) from 9:00am-1:30pm. Your child must be 4 by 9/1.
  • A multi-age Friday Enrichment class is available to all students on Fridays from 9:00am-12:00pm.
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Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

07-16-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

What is Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration? Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a Parish (or some other entity) unite in making continuous adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament (in most cases, exposed) throughout the twenty-four hours of the day, seven days a week.

Is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration the only type of Eucharistic adoration apart from the Mass? No. There are several other forms. However, a most popular and grace-laden program is the full-time, permanent adoration of Our Lord exposed in a monstrance in which adorers commit themselves to at least one assigned hour each week.

Why is it necessary to have permanent exposition? People are far more appreciative of exposition and will thus be more responsible in keeping their Holy Hour with Our Lord. What more wonderful way to witness to our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament than by faithful attendance at a weekly hour of Adoration. A prayerful, silent yet quite clear profession of faith. Never forgetting the words of Our Lord when He gave His Eucharistic discourse. "Indeed, this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him, shall have eternal life. Him will I raise up on the last day." (John 6:40)

What is another good reason for establishing Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration? To provide an easy, attractive and practical way of rendering God adoration, thanksgiving, reparation and petition.

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Grateful

07-09-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1Peter 4:11ff).

These words from Sacred Scripture were printed on a holy card and offered at my priesthood ordination over 22 years ago. Throughout this past year at St. Joan of Arc, these words have even more meaning now. There are so many good parishioners who sincerely love Our Lord and desire to share His love in powerful and humble ways. There so many kind and generous people in our community who live out their baptismal call to holiness in good times and in challenging times. I have been so blessed to witness inspiring acts of charity and selfless moments of giving especially when giving meant going without.

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IN Dependence

07-02-2017Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My family has always enjoyed the 4th of July. It is a day when we get together as a family to enjoy quality time swimming, grilling, and watching the fireworks. Typically, Americans understand this day as a day to celebrate our Independence. The freedom we celebrate as Americans was won (and is maintained) by the sacrifice of many lives. Sadly, many have misunderstood and even abused the freedom we enjoy. I believe this abuse stems from the erroneous understanding that our freedom is a total freedom; a freedom that believes that a person does not need God.

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