Week of October 13, 2024

1) Respect Life Month Reflection

“I CAME SO THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE”

Respect Life Reflection

During the Easter Vigil liturgy, the single flame of the Easter candle shines through the darkness. That small flame spreads as each person’s candle is lit and the light of Christ is shared with others. Before we know it, the entire Church is ablaze with the warm glow of candlelight and the darkness has been vanquished. 

We are each called by God to be that light of Christ that breaks through the darkness. We are called to be his disciples, continually transformed by our encounter with him and sharing in his mission. Jesus came that we might have life. 

Part of the impetus for the Eucharistic Revival was a concern that some Catholics do not believe, or at least do not understand, that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. Even though our human senses perceive bread and wine, the Eucharist is Jesus—body, blood, soul, and divinity. Similarly, many people do not realize or acknowledge the sanctity of human life when it is hidden in the womb. Both instances call for us to help others recognize these sacred gifts that may not be perceivable through our human senses. We need to help others understand that just because something may not be apparent to our eyes does not mean that it is not there or that it is not important.

We live in a society that rejects those who are weak, fragile, or vulnerable. Yet, it is precisely within these conditions that a person is most in need of our care and protection. Pope Francis reminds us that “every child who, rather than being born, is condemned unjustly to being aborted, bears the face of Jesus Christ, bears the face of the Lord, who even before he was born, and then just after birth, experienced the world's rejection.” (1)

The U.S. bishops have affirmed that, while it is important to address all the ways in which human life is threatened, “abortion remains our pre-eminent priority as it directly attacks our most vulnerable brothers and sisters, destroying more than a million lives each year in our country alone.”  (2)

As Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “we are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the ‘culture of death’ and the ‘culture of life’. …we are all involved and we all share in it, with the inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life.” (3)

In the face of challenges such as abortion and physician-assisted suicide, we may feel that we are not equal to the task of overcoming the darkness. Yet, we are not alone. Jesus tells us, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 

The God who became man to save us still dwells among us. For Christ is “the light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). He is the one who overcame death and continually raises us to new life. He remains close to us always, seeking us out in each moment of our lives. 

Jesus gave his very flesh to give us the gift of eternal life and invites us to the most profound experience of this gift in our celebration of the Eucharist. When we meet Jesus in the Eucharist, this encounter has the power to change us. The Eucharist has the power to transform the depths of our hearts and the heart of our culture. United to the power of his Eucharistic Presence, may we work to ensure that each person has life—and has it in abundance.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. Excerpts from Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life), © 1995 and “Address of Holy Father Francis to Participants in the Meeting Organized by the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations” © 2013, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2024, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. 

1. Pope Francis, “Address of Holy Father Francis to Participants in the Meeting Organized by the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations,” September 20, 2013 (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013).
2. Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, Introductory Letter, p. 8. (Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2024). 
3. Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae, (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1995), no. 28.

2) GALA Save the Date - Saturday, November 2, 2024

Click on the image below to download a PDF copy of the Contributor Form.

Click on the image below to download a PDF copy of the Program Advertising Form.

3) Exceptional Needs Registration

4) Men's Fellowship

5) Right to Life of Michigan Baby Shower

6) Soup Kitchen Team Thank You

We were blessed to serve over 450 meals on Sunday, September 22nd at Crossroads Soup Kitchen.

We served a hearty bowl of chili, hot dogs, corn bread, cheese and crackers, bananas, oranges, apple sauce, capri sun for the kids, and beverages for the adults.

We also had 300 toiletry bags which included, shampoo/conditioner, body soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and tooth paste, and razors which were donated by the SJA school’s students and parents. We had additional boxes of toiletries, men’s undershirts and socks which Crossroads will be distributing within the next month.  

Thank you for all the toiletry donations and for the 7th grade class who put the toiletry bags together. A huge thank you for all the parents and students who volunteered to make and serve the meal.

I want to thank everyone for their monetary donations which paid for all the food, men’s undershirts and socks. We are so blessed to have so many generous, compassionate, and caring people within our parish. A huge thank you for all the parent and student volunteers who helped prepare and serve the meals.  

We could not have done this without our wonderful St. Joan family. We cannot thank each and everyone of you enough. 

May God bless you abundantly!

St Joan’s Crossroads Team

7) CSA Update ... We're ALMOST THERE!

If you have not yet given to this year's CSA, please do so soon. We still need to raise $1,889 to reach our goal.

You can give online by clicking on the link below, by calling in your pledge/gift, or by picking up a CSA packet in the Parish Center or in the Gathering Space of Church. Your gift is important and enables us, the Church in Detroit, to carry out Christ's ministry of mercy and love throughout southeast Michigan and beyond — works no one individual or parish could possibly do alone!

8) Celebrating Marriage with the Saints of Umbria with Deacon Dom and Teresa

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: October 13, 2024 - the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

12) Sunday Reflections by Jeff Cavins

The Gift of Wisdom

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In this week’s Encountering the Word video for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jeff Cavins explains that if we are looking for wisdom, all we have to do is ask God for it.

The readings are:

First Reading – Wisdom 7:7-11

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

Second Reading – Hebrews 4:12-13

Alleluia – Matthew 5:3

Gospel – Mark 10:17-30

13) Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

What Do You Ask God For?

Friends, for this Twenty-eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time, our first reading from the marvelous book of Wisdom presents an old biblical trope: If you were to ask God for something, or if God were to come to you and say he will give you whatever you want—what would you ask for? This is a really clarifying question. And while many things might come to mind, the answer of the paradigmatic wisdom figure is instructive.

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 4): This is a continuation of my travelogue about my journey with “Ms. Daisy” (aka my mom) on our Eastern Seaboard Journey on board the Viking Mars.

After leaving the Gaspe Peninsula, we traveled to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was a full day at sea, and it was a rough one! Our boat was tossed around a bit because of some rough waters. I was surprised by how much we were rocking, and it became the talk of the ship as we encountered people at meals and throughout the day. There was a run on Dramamine that day! It was so bad that at one point, while sitting at the desk in our room, I felt like I was coming in for a landing as if I were on a plane. Then, I remembered I was on a boat!

Once we got to Halifax, my mom and I ventured into the city. We wanted to see the Cathedral in Halifax, but my mom also wanted to venture out to the largest Titanic grave site. I could tell from our conversations that the trip out to the grave site was pretty important to her, so we planned our day accordingly.

The Cathedral in Halifax was downtown and near one of the oldest cemeteries in Canada. It was in a pretty interesting area, so taking all of these sites in was pretty easy. The Cathedral was relatively simple but beautiful. We took our time looking around at the stained glass windows, said our prayers, and lit some candles. One of the technology “things” I saw at every Church so far was the ability to pay for your candles by credit card or QR code. Yes, look for some newer innovations to come to SJA because of our trip. But in Halifax’s Cathedral, the “gizmo” was simple. It had three price points, and all you had to do was tap your credit card and it would beep to let you know your donation went through. It couldn’t have been simpler.

After leaving the Cathedral, we wandered over to the “Old Burying Ground,” one of Canada’s oldest cemeteries. The cemetery opened with its first burial in 1749! Strolling through this cemetery and reading some of the gravestones was fascinating. Many of the gravestones’ letters were “washed away” from the passage of time.

I then ordered an Uber to take us to the Titanic Grave Site. From what I could research, there were three Titanic Grave Sites in Halifax, the largest being Fairview Lawn Cemetery; the others were Mount Olivet and Baron de Hirsch Cemeteries. Fairview Lawn was on the outskirts of town, and I was getting a bit nervous not only because of the traffic but also because of the distance and knowing that we had a hard arrival time to be back at the ship because we had a planned excursion on a Tall Ship of the Halifax Harbor. But I also knew that the Titanic Grave Site stop was important for my mom, so I made it happen … and prayed (and sweated) the whole time, hoping that all of my timing would work out.

The Titanic Grave Site within the cemetery was well marked and had plenty of signage, so you could learn more about how it happened that many of the victims were buried there. As it happened, the White Star Line, which had offices in Halifax, commissioned four Canadian vessels to look for bodies in the area right after the disaster. Those four ships were able to recover 328 victims. While many were buried at sea, 209 bodies were brought to Halifax, the closest port to the area of the disaster. All of the Titanic victims thought to be Protestant were buried in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

It was eerie to see all the graves with the same date of death: April 15, 1912. Each gravestone listed their name and date of death and had a number that represented the number assigned when the body was found. Having seen many documentaries and the big movie about the Titanic, it was a grace-filled opportunity to visit and pray at the graves of so many of the Titanic victims.

We then left the cemetery and raced back to the boat for our scheduled afternoon excursion of the Halifax Harbor on a Tall Ship. After all the racing around in the morning, it was nice to be on a relaxing little cruise of the Harbor. BUT I learned it’s a lot of work getting those sails up and working; they were looking for volunteers, but I simply watched! We were able to sit and relax and look at some of the beautiful homes and parks that lined the Halifax Harbor.

Once we returned to the Viking Mars, it was time for dinner and our departure for another full day at sea before we arrived in Boston!

Enjoy the week. Know of my prayers!

In Christ,

gmb@sjascs.org

17) Voiland's View

Trying to teach someone about right and wrong is loaded with opportunities to fail. In fact, giving any moral direction is a setup to be rejected, if not hated. Just talk with any parent who corrects his or her child for doing something wrong, regardless of age, to find out how well such instruction is received. The response might be summed up in the pouty words addressed to Mom or Dad by their four-year-old: “I don’t like you anymore!” Ouch! That hurt!

It doesn’t feel much better when a teenager walls off her parents because they are so out of touch with reality – so restrictive, so old-fashioned, so boring. And it feels every bit as bad when a son isolates his children from their grandparents because Dad or Mom won’t condone his adopted “alternative” lifestyle. We are in strange moral waters nowadays. Not only are we expected to say nothing about other peoples’ sinful behavior, we are often expected to support it! Cohabitation, same-sex “marriage,” substance abuse, petty theft, flaunting of traffic laws, rejection of religious obligations, and other such evils are fluffed off as “normal.” We are told, “Would you just get with the program, already!”

Well, the “program” is failing while we watch. Those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear, are painfully aware of the decay in human society. So, we feel compelled to speak out. Be it to our children, our coworkers, our fellow citizens, or our parish flock; we desperately want them to hear the Good News of Jesus the Savior, and to return to him if he has been rejected in favor of worldly allurements. We want the people we care about to be happy and to thrive. So we try to guide them to the truth we have been graced to learn. Sadly, guiding is not easy.

I was thinking back on my homily from last weekend. I spoke in pretty blunt terms that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman, because God designed us that way. I said that marriage is not something that we get to tool around with, to define in our personal terms, to make into something other than what is actually is so that we can feel better about ourselves. I speak as strongly about abortion. Abortion is murder. There is no other way to frame it, no way to excuse it. To call abortion “reproductive healthcare” is an absurd lie. It is such a flagrant denial of the truth of what a human being is that it doesn’t deserve rational discussion. But such a blunt truth statement invites rejection and hatred.

The truth of human life in the womb, or the necessity that marriage be between a man and a woman, should not be rejected thoughtlessly, though. We must learn to stop being emotional volcanoes when we need to be thinking humans. When we allow ourselves to be overrun by our emotions, we are sacrificing what makes us truly human – our ability to reason. We become animals running on instinct. We are mere beasts. We disregard our rational capacity, the thing we possess that reveals our image and likeness to God. Yet, rational as we are, we still have emotions.

I am acutely aware of human emotions when I speak about hot-button topics like abortion, marriage, and the cultural fads with which we are captivated. I know that there are people sitting in the congregation who have tried, with everything they’ve got, to make their marriage work – and it didn’t. They already hurt from their situation and don’t need someone to make them feel worse. I know that there are women in the congregation who have suffered mightily because of an abortion they had, and they want the pain to go away. They aborted their child because they were afraid, confused, pressured, lied to, threatened, and victimized just like their lost child was. There was no where to go, and no one to help these women. Abortion was the only way out that they could see. So hearing the priest talk about this evil just tears the wound open again.

Tearing open wounds, and beating people over the head with their sins, is not the point of speaking about right and wrong. At least, it shouldn’t be. Speaking the truth is meant to guide people to genuine happiness by living as God has instructed us. It means talking about what it takes to live a successful life: to do good, and to avoid evil. As Christians, we know that true goodness only comes from God, in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. This truth must be spoken and, more importantly, lived, in season and out – when it is well-received or rejected.

There are “good people” among us who want to water down the truth. They want to make it easier for other “good people” to swallow. Diluting the truth kills it. It makes it into mush. It doesn’t help. And it ultimately harms, if the people who consume mushy truth think it is real truth. This is why we must continue to speak the truth, as Pope Benedict XVI said, in love. Truth spoken in love is not a stick used to beat people with. Truth in love is a key to free us from slavery to sin. But to be freed by the truth, we must be willing to receive it, too. 

When we hear the truth – and it hurts – will we stop and ask ourselves why it hurts? Or will we be reflexively overrun by our emotions. Will we shoot the messenger, or will we think about the message? Being in the truth business is tough duty. It doesn’t make a lot of friends. But living in it reaps eternal rewards.

In the Way, the Truth, and the Life,

Fr. Bob

rvoiland@sjascs.org

18) Ascension Presents: Father Mike Schmitz

Fr. Mike Interviews David Henrie About Catholic Faith & Newest Project: Monster Summer

Fr. Mike had the pleasure of interviewing David Henrie about his reversion to Catholicism, his life as a Hollywood celebrity, and how to find your identity in Christ no matter your state in life. They also discussed his recent work as director on “Monster Summer”, which follows a group of kids who team up with a retired police detective (played by Mel Gibson) and embark on an adventure to save their island after a mysterious evil force disrupts their summer.

Learn more about the film at https://www.monstersummermovie.com/

19) Words on the Word: October 13, 2024 - Money, Money, M

People spend their money in all sorts of different ways. For some, the choices are few; it’s a matter of putting food on the table and a roof overhead.

For others, the choice is to invest in real estate, vacations, fine wines, hobbies, the lottery, sporting events, streaming service subscriptions … the choices are endless.

What every one of those things have in common, though, is that the person buying them absolutely, positively, will not be taking it with them when they die. All of it gets left behind.

It’s nice, then, to hear of people who, having been blessed with the means to make a difference in people’s lives with their money, choose to do so.

The Detroit News a few weeks ago reported on a University of Michigan regent that donated $25 million to establish a breast cancer center at the school’s cancer facility.

“This center … is going to enable the development of real national leadership in breast cancer research and care,” an official was quoted in the story as saying. “It’ll elevate our ability to provide world-class treatment and expand global knowledge on diagnosis and treatment.”

That’s good news, indeed, and, regardless of the particular donor’s circumstances or motivation, is a great reminder to all of the importance of using our material resources wisely.

“Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God,’” we hear in today’s gospel passage from St. Mark.

“The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’”  

© 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!

From Pro Soccer To The Priesthood

Evolving from professional soccer player to Catholic Priest, Father Chase Hilgenbrinck is an extraordinary example of salvation, sacrifice, and hope. The charismatic man of faith sat down with Spirit Juice Studios to share how his understanding of true greatness was transformed by the Eucharist, and permanently altered the trajectory of his future.

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, October 14, 2024, Weekday Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr (Green/Red)

7:00 am: Mario & Ann Catalanotte

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor or the Church (White)

7:00 am: Elise Maes

Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Weekday Saint Hedwig, Religious & Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin (Green/White)

7:00 am: Pat Boehm

6:00 pm: John Ludeke

Thursday, October 17, 2024, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr (Red) 

7:00 am: Mary Ann Mecha

Friday, October 18, 2024, Saint Luke, Evangelist (Red)

7:00 am: Robert Swalec 

Saturday, October 19, 2024, Vigil for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Green)

4:00 pm: Barbara Gaines, Elizabeth Stundon, James Forrester, Bonnie BAtche, Edward, Helen and Henry Blind, Casey Zaranek, Joan Weber, Dr. Lori Karol, Martin Krall, Bob Ziolkowski, the deceased members of the Haberek Family, Marie Ann Easley, Michael Timmreck, Stella Ortisi, Julian Ross, and Special Intentions for the J. Champine Family, the Thomas Family, Karen Maher, and Anthony LaPorte

6:00 pm: For the Intentions of the Presbyterate & Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Detroit

Sunday, October 20, 2024, Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Green)

8:00 am: The Intentions of SJA Parishioners

10:00 am: Barbara Biretta Snyder 

12:00 pm Terri Vanover, Steve Terlescki, Virginia Grabowski, Paul Burton Martin, Marie Bryski, Frank Mancuso, and a Special Intention for Ray Dinser

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

This week's LIVE Stream

Schedule at St. Joan of Arc:

Monday (October 14)

7:00 AM - Mass

10:00 AM - Funeral for Jeanne Gainer (Read Obituary HERE)

Tuesday (October 15):

7:00 AM - Mass

Wednesday (October 16):

7:00 AM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Thursday (October 17):

7:00 AM- Mass

7:00 PM - Holy Hour



Friday (October 18):

7:00 AM - Mass

10:00 AM - Funeral for Nancy McCall (Read Obituary HERE)

Saturday (October 19):

10:00 AM - Funeral for Norman Dolinski

12:30 PM - Baptism of Baptism of Theodore M. Pawlitz

1:30 PM - Baptism of Francesca Orlando

2:30 PM - Baptism of Goldie L. O'Neil

4:00 PM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Sunday (October 20):

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 October 13, 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