Week of December 1, 2024

1) SJA Giving Tree Project 2024

The “Giving Tree Project” is a special charitable project designed to match our parishioners’ generosity with our community’s needs during the Christmas holidays. The project serves 100% local individuals who may not otherwise receive a gift at this special time of the year. This year, we have also taken on additional charitable organizations that focus solely on gifting children’s toys. In addition to our gift cards and online giving, we will have boards in the Gathering Space with tags for toys to be purchased.

HOW IT WORKS:

PURCHASE GIFT CARD(S): 

The Giving Tree will accept gift cards again this year. This decision makes it safer and easier for our parishioners to participate. It also makes the program more flexible for our charity agencies.

Buy plastic* gift card(s) valued from $15-30 (per card). You may purchase more than one, but please make sure limits fall within per-card limits of $15-$30.

* tangible gift cards, please, no electronic vouchers. Please ensure the cards have been activated by the retailer that issued them.

STORES ACCEPTED: Meijer, Walmart, and Target

WHERE TO BUY: At the named retailer, most drug & grocery stores, or online.

LET US PURCHASE THE GIFT CARDS FOR YOU: You may donate again this year via our online giving platform by clicking the button below and indicating the amount you want to donate. We will take care of the rest.

PURCHASE TOY(S):

New this year, there are 100 gift tags for toys on boards in the Gathering Space. They are specific to the age and gender of the child. Please bring the purchased toys unwrapped and place them in the red bins with the tag attached. Gifts can also be brought to the Parish Center.

DEADLINE for all donations: Monday, December 9, 2024

Bring your marked envelope(s) to the Parish Center Office during office hours or place it in the locked collection boxes in the Sr. Carol Center or the Parish Center Lobby.

2) Hat, Mitten, and White Socks Project

This year, for our Hat and Mitten Tree Project, we are also adding white socks to our list. We are donating to multiple agencies this year. We are accepting hats, mittens, and white socks for children and adults. Any hats, mittens, or white socks you wish to donate can be placed in the bins on either side of the Sr. Carol picture in the Gathering Place or dropped off at the Parish Center.

3) Additional Confession Opportunities during Advent

Father Bob and I will be available for reconciliation during the following times in one of the conference rooms in the Sr. Carol Center. Chairs will be set up in the Gathering Place and will serve as a “line” for confession; you’ll be getting some exercise moving from one chair to another as the line moves. If you wanted to wait for a specific confessor, you could do so.

The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, December 3: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Wednesday, December 4: 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Saturday, December 7: 11 AM to 12:00 PM

Tuesday, December 10: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Wednesday, December 11: 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Saturday, December 14: 11 AM to 12:00 PM

Tuesday, December 17: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Wednesday, December 18: 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Saturday, December 21: 11 AM to 12:00 PM

You would be amazed how many times I welcome people back who haven’t celebrated the sacrament in years or even decades. Don’t be afraid if you’re one of these people and are worried about going to confession. Tell the confessor it’s been a while since you’ve gone to confession; he will walk you through the ritual. Don’t worry if you can’t remember the Act of Contrition; we have cards in the confessionals with the prayers. Your act of contrition could be as simple as: “Lord Jesus, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Another excuse I often hear about why people don’t go to confession is: “Father, you don’t have the time to hear all that I need to confess.” Nice try, we’ll make the time! Another excuse: “Father, I wouldn’t have the time to do the penance you would give me. By the way, what kinds of penances do they give out these days?” The penances given out these days are often in the form of a prayer or some act of kindness. It’s not difficult, people! I encourage you to give it a try.

4) Gala Thanks

Watch the 1 Minute Gala 2024 Highlight Reel Below

As part of the School Students' Raffle Ticket Selling Contest, the students could pie, Msgr. Mike, Fr. Bob, our principal Amy Pattie, and Assistant Principal Charles Kaiser. Watch the fun below.

5) Advent Tea for Women - Wednesday, December 18, 2024

6) High School Youth Group

7) High School Information Night

8) Pregnancy Aid Appeal

Dear Friends of Pregnancy Aid,

As you prepare for the Christmas season, please consider giving a generous gift to Pregnancy Aid Detroit. Jesus calls each of us to help others and your contribution to Pregnancy Aid enables us to continue to be a beacon of hope to pregnant mothers in need. The root of the word philanthropy translates to loving people and that is what the volunteers & staff do every day at Pregnancy Aid by offering unconditional love to moms who are facing a pregnancy crisis.

As you may already be aware, Pregnancy Aid offers critical support for both moms and babies during their entire pregnancy and up to their baby's first birthday. We provide material aid and free counseling to pregnant mothers including free ultrasound exams, emotional support, accurate pregnancy & post pregnancy information and basic supplies such as diapers, formula, car seats, pack-n-plays, etc.

Just so far in 2024, we have already given away over 10,000 free

maternity and baby items to mothers in need.

Your gift to Pregnancy Aid allows us to continue our work to help as many mothers as possible make the right decision...to choose life and keep their babies. Reflecting on the first Christmas, the aid of just one willing heart allowed Mary and Joseph to find a place for the birth of Jesus. You too can be a willing heart this Christmas by supporting the mission of Pregnancy Aid.

The following are some of the ways your philanthropy can personally make a phenomenal difference in the lives of God's most vulnerable children:

• Write a check to “Pregnancy Aid” and mail it to 15847 E. 8 Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021.

• Give securely online at www.pregnancyaiddetroit.org/support.

• Use a donor-advised fund such as Vanguard, Fidelity Investments, etc. Please note that our complete name is Pregnancy Aid, Inc. of Eastern Wayne County, and our tax ID number is 23-7377830.

• Donate through Venmo. Search for Pregnancy Aid @Pregnancy-Aid.

Thank you for your support of Pregnancy Aid and your generous contribution is always greatly appreciated!

God Bless,

David Swider

President

9) 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.

10) Holy Hour on Thursdays

11) This Sunday's Readings: December 1, 2024 - the First Sunday of Advent

12) Sunday Reflections by Jeff Cavins

First Sunday of Advent

In this video, Jeff Cavins explains the readings for the First Sunday of Advent. These readings prepare us for the coming of the Lord at Christmas, as well as his Second Coming at the end of time. In this holy season, Catholics are reminded to prepare our hearts to receive the Lord so that we will be ready to welcome him not only at Christmas but at every moment in our lives.

Readings for the First Sunday of Advent:

Reading 1: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

Reading 2: 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2

Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

13) Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

Three Dimensions of Advent

Friends, we come to the First Sunday of Advent, which is the commencement of the new liturgical year. “Adventus” in Latin means arrival or coming, and one way to look at Advent is to see three comings of Christ. There is the coming of Christ in history in Bethlehem, the coming of Christ now as he approaches our hearts, and the coming of Christ someday in the future. All three of these dimensions belong to our Advent preparation.

14) 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.

15) 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.

16) TALLer Tales

Traveling with Ms. Daisy (Part 10.5): This is the final segment of my travelogue about my journey with “Ms. Daisy” (aka my mom) on our Eastern Seaboard Journey on board the Viking Mars. 

After we boarded the bus near Wall Street for the journey to JFK airport, it must have taken about 20 minutes for my heart to stop racing because I was huffing it to get us back to the bus on time. We were the LAST people on the bus, and I had enough time (2 minutes) to run across the street to buy some water and junk food for the ride out to the airport.

My mom and I settled in the back row, and the journey home began. I haven’t been to JFK Airport in eons, but it was chaotic and packed with people. We boarded our plane, and I watched my exhausted mom fall asleep for the journey home. During this final leg of the trip, I was able to sneak in a few more selfies to complete my photo log. It was an awesome trip! It was awesome not only because I was able to spend this time with my mom, but, more importantly for me, I was able to help her check off a few more items on her bucket list of things she wants to do as she enters … as she calls it … the check-out line of life.

Life moves fast. Between all the work deadlines, family and social commitments, and endless to-do lists, time feels like a luxury we can rarely afford. Yet, as the days race by, there’s one truth we cannot ignore – our parents, the people who invested so much in our lives and sacrificed so much for us, are growing older. They nurtured us, made sacrifices, and were our constant support. Our parent’s “golden years” are often when time spent together becomes all the more valuable for them and for us.

I’ve written about this before, but I learned from Cardinal Maida the importance of checking in with my parents daily. We did this with his mom every day when she was alive … no matter where we were in the world. I started that tradition with my parents, and since COVID that daily call has morphed into a daily Zoom call with family. Then, gratefully, Father Rich challenged me at my dad’s funeral to start taking every Friday off and spend that time with my mom. 

Spending time with elderly parents or grandparents is more than just a nice gesture; it’s a profound source of joy FOR THEM. As our parents and grandparents age, they face new challenges, from limited mobility, declining health, to loneliness. They often need simple help from getting groceries, getting to doctor appointments, or sometimes getting the simplest things taken care of around their house. Knowing that their child or grandchild chooses to share precious moments with them has a profoundly uplifting effect. Spending time with parents or grandparents undeniably lifts their spirits, but it’s also a gift to us. These moments fill the heart and are the memories we will hold closest when they are no longer with us. My brother-in-law’s sister Jeanne will often pull out her phone at family functions and joke that she has to take this or that picture of her mom or my mom for the “funeral boards.” No, those pictures aren’t just for the “funeral boards,” but they’re for us … to remember the sacred moments we’ve spent with our elderly parents.

Our elderly parents and grandparents often don’t ask for much, if they ask at all. They frequently feel that we, their children and grandchildren, are way too busy, and they don’t want to bother us. Yet, all they really want from us is our time, our attention, and our presence. And, it’s often not as much time as we might think (or fear). They gave us the best parts of themselves for so many years. Now, it’s our turn to give back, not out of obligation, but out of love and absolute gratitude for all they’ve done for us!

In recent months, I have talked with several people about a new project. I’m going to call it something like Operation Parent, Grandparent, Grandfriend. The purpose isn’t about a meeting or meetings but rather to get people to commit to their parent(s), grandparent(s), or grandfriend(s) some QUALITY time each month. My vision is to get people to sign up, and I will randomly send out text reminders about visiting or calling that parent, grandparent, or grandfriend. The text would include suggestions for a conversation starter, activity, or task you could accomplish for or with them. I plan to “reveal” the project in our Christmas bulletin.

My mom’s bucket list gave us an agenda for things to do. My sisters and I have enjoyed participating in those activities, but we’ve also enjoyed helping our mom check off items on that list, which she could never do on her own now. Helping our mom check off items on that list has created some incredible memories that will last forever. 

Whether it’s a long trip, a quiet walk, or making a surprise visit where you walk in with food and drink or a meal, make the time! You will never regret it. As I’ve learned, the work will always be there tomorrow, and no matter how much time we spend on those tasks and lists, they will NEVER be fully completed in our lifetime. Seeing the joy and smiles on a parent/grandparent’s face when we make that surprise visit, take them out for a meal, or watch them fall asleep after spending a full day or trip with them brings greater joy than simply checking off another item on our endless to-do or task list. You’ll find, as I have done, that every moment spent with our parents, grandparents, and grandfriends, you give a little, receive so much more, and create a legacy of love that will last far beyond the fleeting constraints of time!

Feel free to pass this article along to your children and grandchildren; they’ll welcome the gentle nudge/reminder!

Enjoy the week. Know of my prayers!

A blessed Advent to you and your family!

In Christ,

gmb@sjascs.org

17) Voiland's View

Ad veneri. These Latin words mean: to come toward; to approach. They are the root of the name of the liturgical season we begin today – Advent! Advent will carry us through these first four Sundays of December. These holy sabbath days will be mile markers on our spiritual journey toward the coming of all comings: the birth of Jesus Christ in human flesh. Advent is a time filled with anticipation as we await the Lord, as we look forward to Christmas. Little ones practically jump out of their skin thinking about the celebration. Adults become children again, too. In Advent, we plan ahead to celebrate!

Advent observance and Christmas celebrations come every year, as sure as sunrise and sunset chase each other. We live in a circle to time. Like orbiting planets, we begin again and again. In the Church, our remembrance of Jesus’ coming to the world initiates our yearly recounting of his whole life. We follow him all year. We rejoice at his birth. We entrust Mary and Joseph with his growth into adulthood. We witness his years of ministry. Ultimately, we ponder his sacrifice of himself on the cross for us. Then, gloriously, we cling to his victorious rising from the dead and ascension into heaven! All this is part of our yearly religious practice. We think Christ through on an annual basis. We try to live Christ on an annual basis. We move from the beginning to the end of his story. Is this something in which we find peace? Do we mind thinking through this? Or, quite simply, do we get bored?

Although we recount Jesus’ life in a yearly cycle, his story is more precisely linear. He had an earthly beginning (in Mary’s womb) and earthly end (Ascension into heaven). So when we think during this Advent season about his coming, do we think, “Oh, just the start of another Christmas season,” or do we find ourselves moving closer to Jesus, in the big, eternal picture? “Do we want him to actually come, or do we want him to stay frozen in a nativity scene? 

Do we crave his coming, or do we fear his coming?

Certainly, when we live lives of suffering; when we live lives of challenge, of exhaustion; as we live the difficulties of staying faithful; of continually trusting when it's hard to trust; of forgiving, when it's incredibly hard to forgive – especially when we're hurt over and over and over again; when we struggle with doubts; when we question our ability to stay on course, to be able to remain faithful when being faithful is the last thing we want to do; when we’d much rather run back into ourselves, to satisfy ourselves with what little pleasure we can get from our physical being; do we really want to stay on the narrow path? Do we want to continue to reinvest ourselves in Jesus’ coming?

It's a tough question because it is very difficult for us to stay on that path. But that's what we have to ask again as Advent is once again is upon us. We think about God coming to us, and then leaving us with the decision. Once again, he approaches. He comes toward us. And he does not insist upon us receiving him. He wants us to receive him. He makes himself utterly vulnerable to us. He comes as a child. He comes in truly the most inoffensive, the most easily rejected form. He comes with no words. He comes with no pomp, with no circumstance, with no power. He comes to a poor Jewish girl, a faithful Jewish girl. She has made her own commitment to him – in the affirmative. She allowed him to be born. She received his life within her womb, said yes. She could have said no. She could have stopped the whole thing . . . but said yes.

And then Jesus asks us if we will say yes. But we don't have to. Will we do that? Will we start once again? Will we recommit? Will we continue on the path? When we say that Jesus is our Lord, that this is the way of life that we want to continue, that we want to still provide ourselves for him, to be his hands and his feet, to nurture for him – it's not an easy question. Because then, we are very vulnerable ourselves. We know we are very limited. We know we can't do it perfectly. We can know the truth and still feel utterly inadequate to support the truth that we know. Should we open our hearts – again – to the One who comes? That's what Advent is. Another question mark. Another opportunity to commit or not.

Blessed days,

Fr. Bob

rvoiland@sjascs.org

18) Ascension Presents: Father Mike Schmitz

3 Reasons You Still Feel Bad After Confession

We know this: when we go to the sacrament of reconciliation with a truly contrite heart and receive absolution, we are forgiven of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. So, if you’ve ever left the confessional still feeling bad, you might wonder… “What gives?”

Today, Fr. Mike identifies 3 reasons why we might be experiencing a lingering feeling of guilt after confession, and he gives us a bit of advice to deal with those feelings.

“I’m forgiven, but I still have to deal with the consequences.”

“Someone else knows what I did.”

“I’ve broken God’s heart.”

Finally, Fr. Mike reveals the source of these lingering regrets. The solution is deceptively simple.

19) Words on the Word: December 1, 2024 - Kicking and Praising

On the gridiron of life, it’s important to always keep in mind what the most important goalposts really are.

The Detroit Lions – and, of course, their fans – have been enjoying what is by almost every measure a truly amazing season. Their growing number of wins is even more impressive when one looks at some of the unusual ways they’ve been racking them up.

Consider the game a few weeks ago, won primarily with a couple clutch field goals by the team’s placekicker, a young man who, just a few short months ago, had been preparing to begin his career as a brick salesman, but got a chance to prove himself with the Lions.

After the particular game in which his impact was so huge, his perspective was noteworthy:

“I think it just shows how good the Lord is,” he was quoted in a Fox News story as saying. “He’s so faithful. My story is, if anything, I just hope people can see Jesus through my story. I mean that’s what I think I’m here to do. Not make or miss or be a good kicker or bad kicker, but spread the love of Jesus.” 

For a professional athlete at the top of his game, that’s a clear indication of proper priorities.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God and as you are conducting yourselves you do so even more,” we hear in today’s second reading from the first letter to the Thessalonians. 

“For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

It’s the first Sunday of Advent. Christmas is just three weeks away. Are we shooting for the uprights in our love for each other?

© 2024 Words on the Word

20) 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.



21) 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!

Through the eyes of Dr. Ansel Augustine, the Psalm 119 Step Team (young adults that perform with Dr. Augustine), Ms. Pearl Dupart, and Deacon Allen Stevens, this documentary seeks to shed light on “one story” of the Black Catholic experience as seen in the Tremé area of New Orleans. By telling of the joy, pain, and struggles faced within the Black Catholic community, this film serves as a resource for our communities to address racism within our Church and to create bridges of hope and understanding so that we may all be one Body of Christ.

22) 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.

23) Mass Intentions for the Week:

Monday, December 2, 2024, Advent Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am: Clara M. Champine

Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Saint Francis Xavier, Priest (White)

7:00 am: Mary A. Champine

Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Advent Weekday; Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Purple/White)

7:00 am: Fr. Arthur Oldani

6:00 pm: Debbie Albrecht

Thursday, December 5, 2024, Advent Weekday (Purple) 

7:00 am: Special Intention for Tina Calisi and Family

Friday, December 6, 2024, Weekday (Purple/White)

7:00 am: Richard & Virginia Robinette

Saturday, December 7, 2024, Vigil for the Second Sunday in Advent (Purple)

4:00 pm: Bonnie Batche, Stephanie Gryebet, Mary Steele, David Sperry, Thomas Benoit, David Damm. Paula Nagel, Lauren McDonald, Marie Ann Easley and Special Intentions for Tina Calisi, the J. Champine Family, the Thomas Family, Danny Elles, and Prayerful appreciation for the work of the Priests and Staff of St. Joan of Arc

6:00 pm: Donald Ketelhut

Sunday, December 8, 2024, Second Sunday in Advent (Purple)

8:00 am: The Intentions of SJA Parishioners

10:00 am: Steve M Terlescki

12:00 pm: Danuta Siwik, Dennis Venuto, Paige Rosemary Galliven Moir, Paula Nagel, and a Special Intention for Tina Calisi

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

This week's LIVE Stream

Schedule at St. Joan of Arc:

Monday (December 2)

7:00 AM - Mass

7:00 PM - Baptism of Sullivan M. Murphy

Tuesday (December 3):

7:00 AM - Mass

10:00 AM - Funeral for Mamie Mirasola (Read Obituary HERE)

Wednesday (December 4):

7:00 AM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Thursday (December 5):

7:00 AM- Mass

10:00 AM - Funeral for Valentin Solano (Read Obituary HERE)



Friday (December 6):

7:00 AM - Mass

Saturday (December 7):

10:00 AM - Funeral for Jack Accardo (Read Obituary HERE)

2:00 PM - Wedding of Maria Fuentes / Sandor Jakab

4:00 PM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Sunday (December 8):

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.

25) SJA's Latest Parish Bulletin

Click on the image below

to download a copy of the bulletin

for December 1, 2024

26) 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.



27) Detroit Catholic