Ministry of Acolyte for Two St. Joan of Arc Parishioners

08-25-2019Pastor's LetterDeacon Peter Auriemma, MD

The following article was written by Deacon Peter Auriemma to introduce to the parish our newly installed Acolytes who are on a religious journey towards being ordained as Deacons in the Catholic Church.

Bishop Olmsted officially installed Mr. Andy Lambros and Dr. William Schneider to the Ministry of Acolyte on Friday, August 23, at 6:30 pm in our Cathedral of Sts. Simon and Jude. Both of these SJA parishioners have been on a five-year Formation Journey leading to their Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Phoenix. Last year, they were installed to the Ministry of Lector, and the Ministry of Acolyte is the last step before their Ordination as Deacons, a year from this November. While all altar servers are usually referred to as acolytes, there are several duties and responsibilities which are reserved only for a duly Instituted Acolyte.

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“I have come to set the earth on fire..."

08-18-2019Pastor's LetterFr. Dan Connealy

Happy Sunday!

This Sunday we enter the 20th Week in Ordinary Time. In our Gospel the Lord begins with a striking greeting, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” The fire that Jesus wishes to cast is not a destructive fire, but the fire of his love. It would be false to think that just because it is not a purely destructive fire it is not violent. The love of God is indeed fierce. Jesus knows many people will reject it because it does not measure up to the standards we have set before us in society. To love as the Father loves means that we first must open our hearts to receive from his bounty. Without living in the love of the Father, we have nothing to give.

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St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

08-11-2019Pastor's LetterDeacon Peter Auriemma, MD

When a man receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a Deacon, he is ordained to a life of service for the Church and the People of God, specifically for the Liturgy, the Word, and for Charity. In his service to the Liturgy, he assists the bishops and priests at the Mass and liturgical celebrations. In his service to the Word, the Deacon has the privilege to proclaim the Gospel at Mass, as well as to preach, and he is an Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist, along with bishops and priests. In his service of charity, the Deacon is conformed by his Ordination to the Servant Heart of Christ, "Who came to serve and not be served", and he helps carry on the Church's many works of charity in her service to all those in need. These were the reasons that the first seven Deacons of the Church were originally ordained by St. Peter and the Apostles, and the role of the Deacon has remained unchanged. There have been many Deacon saints that have faithfully served Christ and His Church. One of the most popular Deacon saints of all is the Deacon and martyr St. Lawrence, whose feast the Church celebrates on August 10. St. Lawrence personifies all that the Deacon is called by Christ to be.

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“The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”

08-04-2019Pastor's LetterFr. Daniel Cruz

"The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus"

St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney (May 8, 1786-August 4, 1859)

August 4th marks the 160th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. His beautiful example of the priesthood has left a lasting impression on many parish priests. A typical day in the life of the Curé d' Ars was spent giving of himself entirely. With a few days a year for retreat and repose with his family, he never left the village of Ars. To have his incorrupt heart visit us here at St. Joan of Arc made his visit very special to us. Through this saint's intercession and witness, he has impacted my priesthood deeply. He taught me to love a parish, persevere in the confessional and fall more in love with the Eucharist.

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