Week of April 13, 2025

1) Holy Week and Triduum Schedule

Below is our schedule of liturgies and Masses for Holy Week, the Triduum, and Easter Sunday. Our liturgies and Masses will also be live-streamed at livestream.stjoan.church.

Please note that this year's Easter Vigil will start at 8:30 PM. The change is due to Easter being so late this year, and sunset will not occur until 8:19 PM.

Monday (April 14):

7:00 AM - Mass

1:00 - 2:00 PM - Confessions

7:00 PM - SERF Reconciliation Service with Individual Confession

Tuesday (April 15):

7:00 AM - Mass

Wednesday (April 16):

7:00 AM - Mass

4:30 - 6:00 PM - Confessions

6:00 PM - Mass

Thursday (April 17):

7:00 PM - Mass of the Lord's Supper

Good Friday (April 18):

12:00 PM - Stations of the Cross

12:30 PM - Divine Mercy Chaplet

1:00 PM - Liturgy of the Lord's Passion

Holy Saturday (April 19):

11:00 AM - Confessions

12:00 PM - Blessing of Food

8:30 PM - Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday (April 20):

6:00 AM - Mass

8:00 AM - Mass

10:00 AM - Mass

12:00 PM - Mass

2) Confession Opportunities During Holy Week

During Holy Week, we have the following opportunities to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation:

Monday: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Wednesday: 4:30 PM - 5:50 PM

Holy Saturday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Sacrament is celebrated in the Sr. Carol Center; signs with further directions are posted in the Gathering Place.

There will also be a Vicariate-wide communal penance service at SJA on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 7 pm. This will be a communal reconciliation service with individual confession.

As we mentioned at the weekend masses, don't worry if you've forgotten the prayers or how to go to confession. We will guide you through it. And it doesn't matter how long it has been since you've last gone to confession. Just come and experience the Lord's awesome gift of mercy!

From Ascension Presents: Confession is a place of never-ending mercy and forgiveness, and is one of the most beautiful parts of our Catholic faith. But for many, it can also be a very daunting experience, especially if it’s been a long time since your last confession. Whether it’s the first time you’ve gone in a year, or it’s the first time you’ve gone in your life, God is ready and willing to forgive your sins. All we have to do is let him into our hearts.

In the following video, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how to approach going to confession for the first time in a long time.

3) A Walk Through Holy Week

Next weekend is already Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. As we prepare for Holy Week, it's good to look at the various liturgies that mark this most significant week of the Church's liturgical year. In the following video, I walk through each of the Holy Week liturgies and offer a brief explanation of each of them.

4) Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Faustina Church - Sunday, April 27, 2025

5) ‘The King of Kings’ Captivates Theaters with the Heart of the Gospel—for Kids

From Word on Fire Articles:The massive success of The Chosen—a first-of-its-kind multi-season series about the ministry of Jesus—is spearheading a revival in biblically themed film and TV. The culture, it seems, is shifting in a remarkable way. 

And now it’s the kids’ turn to join in the revival.  

The King of Kings, a new Angel Studios release hitting theaters nationwide on April 11, is being promoted as the first major animated biblical film since 1998’s The Prince of Egypt. Like its predecessor, it boasts an all-star cast: Oscar Isaac plays the role of Jesus, with Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, Pierce Brosnan, Forest Whitaker, and Ben Kingsley all voicing supporting roles. It’s certainly an impressive effort with some dazzling moments—a very solid film, overall, especially as it draws children right into the very heart of the Gospel message without compromising its essence. 

Written and directed by Korean filmmaker Seong-ho Jang, The King of Kings is loosely based on Charles Dickens’ The Life of Our Lord. But rather than relegate Dickens to a mere voiceover, the movie draws him on screen, together with his son Walter. The film opens with Walter, who is obsessed with the legend of Arthur and other sword-wielding kings, causing a ruckus at Charles’ one-man performance of A Christmas Carol—a classic hijinks setup that’s genuinely funny for all ages. When the collectively drained family returns home, Charles’ wife encourages him to “work some of your magic.” And so Charles begins to tell him what he calls “the greatest story ever told” about the ultimate king—the King of all kings. 

Of course, Walter soon learns that this king defies his expectations, and throughout Charles’ telling of the Gospel story, he illuminates just how different this King Jesus was. He doesn’t carry a magic sword—because he doesn’t need to. He goes into the desert to face down evil—a force “much more impressive” than any dragon. And he rules over all his subjects—but precisely by serving them. Even as worldly rulers are threatened by him and intent on destroying him, the Prince of Peace reigns through the power of the Spirit.

Continue Reading ...

6) High School Youth Group

7) Next Retrouvaille Weekend is May 2-4, 2025

8) Operation REACH OUT

9) Want to become Catholic? Want to be baptized? Do you need to be Confirmed? Learn More about the Catholic Church

10) Ascension's Bible and Catechism App

It's Here: The Bible & Catechism App!

The word of God and the complete teachings of the Catholic Church. Answers and commentary by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, and other experts. Video, audio, and textual commentary. Right on your phone.

11) Holy Hour on Thursdays

12) This Sunday's Readings: April 13, 2025 - Palm Sunday

13) Sunday Reflections by Jeff Cavins

Palm Sunday

Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for Palm Sunday. These readings recall the story that is at the center of our faith:

Procession with Palms: Luke 19:28-40

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel: Luke 22:14—23:56

14) Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

The Forgiveness of Sinners

Friends, we come to Palm Sunday, which is also called Passion Sunday because we always read at Mass the Passion narrative from one of the synoptic Gospels. This year, we hear from Saint Luke, and I want to look at two elements unique to his particular version, both of which have to do with forgiveness

15) Grow+Go

Grow+Go, content is designed to help you understand what it means to be an evangelizing disciple of Christ. Using the Sunday Scriptures as the basis for reflection, Grow+Go offers insight into how we can all more fully GROW as disciples and then GO evangelize, fulfilling Christ's Great Commission to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) The concept behind the weekly series is to make discipleship and evangelization simple, concrete, and relatable.

Click the button or image below to download a PDF copy of this Sunday's Grow+Go.

16) Giving to SJA:

I'm truly grateful for your support of SJA. Your support means so much. The increase in electronic giving has been tremendous. Giving electronically, whether on a one-time or recurring basis, is pretty simple. For more information on online giving, please click on the following button.

17) TALLer Tales

Palm Sunday Appearance: A mom and dad returned home from Church on Palm Sunday. Their little son, who was ill that day, stayed home with an older sibling. The little guy was intrigued by the palms his parents brought home. He decided to pepper his parents with questions about the palms and the Palm Sunday liturgy. They described how they started outside and then processed with the palms, almost like in a parade, to celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. At one point in the dialogue, the little guy says, “Wouldn’t you know it, the very day I stay home from Church, Jesus finally shows up.”

Holy Week: Today, we begin our solemn and sacred journey alongside our Lord. It is a time like no other when we are invited to walk with Christ through the pivotal moments of his passion, death, and resurrection. We have joyfully celebrated his triumphant yet humble entrance into Jerusalem, bearing witness to the shouts of “Hosanna!” and the waving of palm branches. Now, we set our gaze on the profound events that lie ahead, making our way with him to the cross.

These sacred days of Holy Week are not just another set of days on the calendar; they are rich with meaning, beauty, and purpose for every Christian. The liturgies of this week invite all of us to step deeper into the mysteries of our faith. From the celebration of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday to the solemn veneration of the cross on Good Friday, to the radiant beauty of the Easter Vigil, and finally, to the joy of Easter Sunday, these liturgies tell the story of our salvation. They offer an opportunity to enter into the very heart of God’s love for us. I encourage you and your family to attend as many of these liturgies as possible. Our participation in these sacred liturgies makes us part of an unbroken chain of believers celebrating the events that not only transformed the world but also hold the power to transform each of us.

Many of us approach Holy Week with heavy hearts, burdened by the struggles of daily life. We may be walking with loved ones through illness, loss, or tragedy. Some of us might find ourselves bearing our own crosses, personal challenges that feel overwhelming, heavy, or even unfair. Others may be grieving the state of the world, troubled by the pain and injustice we see each day in the news. These burdens can consume our thoughts and leave us feeling weary. But as Christians, we are invited to approach the foot of Christ’s cross with all that weighs us down. 

Just as God had a plan for Jesus when he faced his cross, God has a plan for each of us in the crosses we are called to carry. That plan may not always be clear or easy to accept, but the events of Holy Week remind us that every struggle has a purpose. Christ’s suffering was not in vain; it was redemptive. We then participate in Christ’s saving work by carrying our crosses with faith and trust in God. 

As we move through each day of this sacred week, may we do so with hearts open to God’s grace and minds ready to be transformed. This is a week like no other, and it is a time for each of us to encounter Christ in a deeper, more profound way.

I pray that you and your loved ones will allow the beauty of Holy Week to touch your lives. Whether you find yourself in a moment of joy or pain, may the events we commemorate and celebrate this week remind you that Christ has already walked the path before you, and through him, your path leads to glory. 

The Paschal Triduum: What exactly does Triduum mean? Triduum comes from two Latin words (tres and dies), meaning a space of three days. We calculate these days in the same way the Jews count days and festivals, from sundown to sundown. Thus, the Triduum consists of three twenty-four-hour periods. The Triduum starts at sundown on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and concludes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

“The liturgy we celebrate these days is far more than an objective recall of the events of first century Palestine, or even a prayerful recollection by means of which we understand and appreciate more fully what God has done for us. Despite the dramatic impact of these liturgies we do much more than dramatize what happened once in the history of salvation. More fundamentally, the liturgy these days is our present privileged experience of these same saving mysteries in Christ. Through these liturgies we are inserted into and are made sharers of the same saving deeds Christ accomplished for our salvation and sanctification. We do not observe again what Jesus accomplished; we share in the accomplishment of salvation. Through the symbols and gestures, scripture proclamation and prayers, we participate in the same redeeming actions which Christ underwent for our salvation. What Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection is actualized and made real in the liturgy. Through the various celebrations over three days we are progressively and more intimately brought into the paschal mystery (Kevin W. Irwin, A Guide to the Eucharist and Hours: Easter, p. 14).”

The liturgies we are about to celebrate are sacred indeed. They are filled with much symbolism and ritual. In celebrating the memorial of the institution of the Eucharist and the command to be of service as ritualized in the washing of the feet at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we enter more deeply into the paschal mystery. From hearing the proclamation of the Lord’s Passion to our veneration of the cross on Good Friday, we enter more deeply into the paschal mystery. From seeing the fire being blessed, hearing the proclamation of the Easter Exultet, to witnessing the baptism of those in the OCIA, the reception of those being brought into the Church, to our own renewal of baptismal promises where we reject Satan and profess our faith in Christ Jesus, we enter more deeply into the paschal mystery. But this entering into the paschal mystery is not just a once-a-year occurrence. We need to live the paschal mystery each day of our lives. We need to die to self by doing God’s will and serving others so we can rise to new life.  

Living the paschal mystery is about putting God and others ahead of ourselves. Living the paschal mystery is about keeping Christ as the center of our lives.  “The paschal mystery is living the rhythm of dying and rising as a people who are on a mission – with Christ we bring salvation to those who hunger for justice and truth, forgiveness and reconciliation, mercy and peace. We are a people on a mission – and this is what these days are about (Joyce Ann Zimmerman, C.PP.S., et al., ed., Living Liturgy, p. 102).”

Happy Holy Week. Know of my prayers!

In Christ,

gmb@sjascs.org

18) Voiland's View

Palm Sunday is all about the palms. Right? After all, we cut untold thousands of palm leaves from trees and ship them all over the world for this very Sunday. Churches all over the globe bless and distribute these green fronds to the faithful. Many Catholics make a special effort to make it to Mass to get their palms. And it’s not just us Catholics. Other Christian faith traditions also make a big deal of Palm Sunday. It’s all about those palms!

Scripture and our Tradition tell us that, as Jesus entered Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, people threw their cloaks on the ground before him, and cut branches from the surrounding trees, waving them to provide a royal entry for him into the city. They proclaimed him King – coming in the name of the Lord! His arrival created a big hubbub. There was a lot of energy in the air. You could cut it with a knife. In fact, it was unsettling. Extraordinary. Unheard of.

Here was this roving preacher – this Jesus, a nobody – claiming his reign at the headquarters of the ancient Jewish faith. Jerusalem was the home of the Temple. Or, more importantly, from a religious perspective, the Temple was why Jerusalem mattered. It was a religious hotbed, dominated at the time by the powerful, merciless Roman government. Jerusalem was a place of constant tension between the proud, age-old religious practice of the Israelites and the strong-armed rule of pagan Caesars. Now, the scene was radically more complicated by the prominent arrival of this carpenter come Messiah – who claimed to be the Son of God, no less! How much crazier could things get?!

The Pharisees, priests, and Jewish religious leaders wanted nothing to do with Christ and the mess he was making. He was upsetting the apple cart from inside Judaism and out. For one thing, he was directly confronting these Jewish leaders regarding their ability and authority to lead. Jesus was preaching a New Covenant between God and man. He was shifting the entire understanding of the relationship between God and human beings. He was moving humanity from a Law-based relationship between God and his people to a love-based relationship. In the eyes of the Jewish authorities, this was unacceptable. They had the whole “Law” thing down to a science – and they were running the show. For that reason alone, Jesus had to go.

But this Jesus was making things even worse. He was complicating relations with the Romans, too. Indeed, the Romans and the Jews were already at odds with each other. They endured an ongoing, fear-based relationship like the oppressed and the oppressor. But . . . it was manageable. The Jewish leaders had worked out a deal with the Romans to keep the peace: the Jewish religious authorities would keep the lowly, Jewish rabble in line, and, in return, the Romans would grease the Jews who kept things calm. NOW, this Jesus shows up, who wrecks the whole deal. He really had to go.

It would be priceless to know exactly what was going through Jesus’ mind as he rode into Jerusalem to the shouts of the crowd. In so many ways, his entry was akin to shoving a huge finger into the eye of every conceivable human authority. The first thing he did was to instruct his disciples to rustle up a donkey for him to ride. The King of kings and the Lord of lords rode into town to take possession of his domain on a jackass. Not an elegant horse – those were for the Romans – but on a lowly beast of burden. What a statement!

Then he was wildly cheered on by the crowds who couldn’t contain themselves – hooting and hollering and throwing their clothing on the ground in front of the donkey. They waved palm branches and anything else they could find, slapping each other on the back at the sight of Jesus taking charge. What a scene! So much so that the Pharisees insisted that Jesus tell the revelers to shut up. But Jesus said it couldn’t be done. The stones would cry out then! It was too much.

We humans get really excited when we want to. Jesus Christ had truly lit a fire under the people who encountered him. He had an authority that came from within. He was the real deal. He cared about the average man and woman. He spoke truth to power. He was unafraid. He affirmed the good in people and pointed out what needed to be fixed. He oozed honesty and love. And the people loved him back . . . until they didn’t.

The loud adulation that met Jesus, as he rode into Jerusalem, turned into “Crucify him!” within a few days. It was an embarrassing display of human fickleness. One minute, he was “our guy,” and the next minute, it was “just kill him.” We act like a flock of birds, following the whims of the crowd at the slightest impulse. The only thing is, we are not birds. We should not be acting on instinct, like dumb animals. We were created for much more. We have complex minds and eternal spirits. We are made in the image and likeness of God our Creator. Yet, we are so readily inclined to turn into base animals.

It should make us think, “What was going through Jesus’ mind as he rode the mule into Jerusalem?” He knew why he was there. He was fully aware that he was riding to his death. He knew the Jewish leaders couldn’t stand him. He knew the Romans were a bunch of ‘civilized barbarians’, if there could be such a thing. But all of those smiling faces lining the road, elated at his arrival, waving and revering him – what of them? Was he thinking, “You’re all going to turn on me. I want to give you everything and you’ll turn it down. I want to give you heaven, and you want earthly delights. What more could I do for you to see the truth?”

Will we stand by Jesus now? Have we learned anything in two thousand years? Is Palm Sunday all about the palms? Or is there something more? These are questions we have to answer individually. Nobody can speak for us. 

What say you?

Long live the King!

Fr. Bob

rvoiland@sjascs.org

19) Ascension Presents: Father Mike Schmitz

Miracles: The Bible vs. Today (What's Changed?)

Do miracles occur more frequently in the Bible or in today's world? Why do some of my prayers for miracles seem unanswered?

Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the mystery of miracles, explaining how they are recognized and validated in the Catholic Church, and exploring why God sometimes grants miracles and other times does not.

20) Words on the Word: April 13, 2025 - All About Me

When it comes time for any political speech, and especially the annual “State of the (fill in applicable entity here) Address,” most folks understandably put their guards up, expecting a litany of ego-driven talking points from the person at the podium.

To some extent, of course, that’s the purpose of such speeches, and to a greater extent, it’s just an exercise in chest-beating braggadocio.

So there was arguably a bit of fresh air a few weeks ago when the outgoing mayor of Detroit delivered an address that contained, if not outright humility, at least a tinge of recognition that, when all is said and done, it wasn’t just about him.

“I don’t think a day goes by when somebody says, ‘What happens when you leave? Are things going to get worse?’” he was quoted as saying in The Detroit News. “’And I want … to show today why Detroit is going to get much better for five years. This has been about a lot more than me… There was a whole partnership that has done this.’”

Now, one might argue that, being a politician, he was looking down the road and positioning his ability to build coalitions. 

But for now, let’s simply appreciate that perhaps there was a tangible reminder here or what Jesus reminds his disciples in today’s Palm Sunday gospel passage from St. Luke.

 “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so,” the passage reads.

“Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table?

“I am among you as the one who serves.”

© 202 Words on the Word

21) This WEEK on FORMED:

Our parish has a subscription to FORMED, a premier online platform filled with over 4,000 Catholic studies, movies, audio dramas, talks, e-books, and even cartoons for our children. FORMED has content from over 60 apostolates, including Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, and the Knights of Columbus, with material that is professionally produced, engaging, and solid in its catechism. Best of all, this material is free to you because of our parish subscription.

You have easy access to all of the material on FORMED to support your own faith journey and that of your family members.

You can enjoy FORMED on your computer or on your television with an inexpensive Roku device or Apple TV. You can even listen on your phone as you commute to work or do chores. 

To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:

• Go to https://signup.formed.org/ 
• Enter our parish’s zip code 48080 or enter St. Joan of Arc
• Enter your name and your email address

That’s it! You’re in. Now you can get the free FORMED app for your phone by searching FORMED Catholic in your app store.



22) 52 Stories: Good News from Spirit Juice Studios

Prepare to be Inspired

Spirit Juice Studios is blessed to work with countless Catholic organizations, dioceses, parishes, and schools. We get to help them tell their powerful stories about all the good stuff that is happening within the Church. Sign up for 52 Stories so we can share them with you! You’ll meet the unsung heroes of the Catholic Church, discover the stories of holy women and men around the world, and witness miraculous moments of God’s grace in everyday life.

In a world full of bad news, these stories will give you 52 reasons to believe that God is working through the Catholic faith to transform lives through His love and mercy. Sign up today!

Vicki Thorne: Evangelium Vitae Medal

In this profile video, the remarkable story and tremendous impact of Vicki Thorne on the pro-life movement is told. The founder of Project Rachel, a ministry of the Catholic Church in the U.S. to those who have been involved in abortion, Vicki has been instrumental in bringing healing and hope to countless women and men impacted by the wounds of abortion.

23) Hallow App:

Are you looking for a one-stop app for prayer and meditation? Look no further than Hallow. Hallow is an awesome prayer app. Hallow is a Catholic prayer and meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through audio-guided contemplative prayer sessions. The app launched 2 years ago and is already the #1 Catholic app in the world.

We have a number of parishioners who are already using the app and loving it (my mom being one of them and she is on the app most of the day). Great for praying alone or together with your spouse/family, Hallow truly has something for everyone, no matter what you are going through (see below for their different content categories).

Hallow is free to download and has tons of permanently free content, as well as a premium subscription, Hallow Plus.

To get started, simply click the button above/below to activate your free account on the Hallow website. Make sure to select “Sign Up with Email” when registering. For step-by-step instructions, you can visit this process guide. Enter the code stjoanofarcmi to obtain a discount on individual pro plans.

24) Mass Intentions for the Week:

Monday, April 14, 2025, Monday of Holy Week (Purple) 

7:00 am: Charles McQuillan

Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Tuesday of Holy Week (Purple)

7:00 am: Mary and Frank Fleming 

Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Wednesday of Holy Week (Purple) 

7:00 am: Esmenia Salomon Silva

6:00 pm: Michael Timmreck

Thursday, April 17, 2025, Holy Thursday (White) 

7:00 pm: Mary Lou Bartoszek Racine

Friday, April 18, 2025, Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Red)

Saturday, April 19, 2025, Easter Vigil (White)

8:30 pm: The living and deceased members of the Bugarin, Shuder, Finn, Hunsucker, Labut, and Scheuer Families

Sunday, April 20, 2025, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (White)

6:00 am: Special Intention for the Rogier & Dettloff Families

8:00 am: The Intentions of SJA Parishioners

10:00 am: A Special Intention for Rosa Silva

12:00 pm: George & Sofie Rupinski, Daniel Bommarito, the deceased members of the Bugarin & Shuder Families, Doreen Saur, Otto & Virginia Isbill, Dennis Venuto, the deceased members of the McQuillan, Zaranek, Walters & Gaidis Families, Virginia Prill, Daniel Bahr, Jeffrey Kirkman, Joseph & Florence Semany, Charles Semany, Ron Lagodna, Petronella France, Wes Wilcox, Pam Melisko and Special Intentions for Sam Baur, Marie Stahl, Tom Sheppard and for the Thomas Family

25) This Week on St. Joan of Arc LIVE:

This week's LIVE Stream

Schedule at St. Joan of Arc:

Monday (April 14)

7:00 AM - Mass

Tuesday (April 15):

7:00 AM - Mass

Wednesday (April 16):

7:00 AM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

6:30 PM - Living Stations of the Cross with the Children

Thursday (April 17):

7:00 PM - Mass of the Lord's Supper



Friday (April 18):

12:00 PM - Stations of the Cross and Divine Mercy Chaplet

1:00 PM - Liturgy of the Lord's Passion

Saturday (April 19):

12:00 PM - Blessing of Food Baskets

8:30 PM - Easter Vigil

Sunday (April 20):

6:00 AM - Mass

8:00 AM - Mass

10:00 AM - Mass

12:00 PM - Mass

Please note that all of our masses and events can be accessed through the ARCHIVE section of our Live stream page if you cannot watch it live!

We also have our own ROKU Channel. Search for "CATHOLIC" in the ROKU channel store, and you will find SJA's channel. A Fire TV Channel is also available.

26) SJA's Latest Parish Bulletin

Click on the image below

to download a copy of the bulletin

for April , 2025

27) Weekly Bulletin Mailing List

Sending the bulletin has been greatly received by so many people. If you are getting the bulletin online and would prefer that it not be mailed to your home, please click on the button below to be removed from the mailing list.

At the same time, if you are NOT getting the bulletin and would prefer to get it, click on the same button and ask to be ADDED to the list.



28) Detroit Catholic