4 PM, 6 PM, and 10 PM

8 AM , 10 AM, and 12 PM

4 PM

8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM

This weekend, we take up our annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. This annual appeal benefits nearly 25,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. Our senior religious are a treasure—both for their service to our Church and for the ways their prayer and witness enrich our faith. “Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit even in old age” (Ps 92:14-15).

Most senior religious worked many years for little pay, leaving their religious communities with a shortage of retirement savings. Rising healthcare costs and decreased income compound the challenge to meet day-to-day needs for medications, nursing assistance, and other necessities. Donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious provide financial support that helps religious communities care for aging members while ensuring younger ones can continue the good works of their elders.

I understand you are asked to support many worthy causes. I invite you to give what you can. Most importantly, please pray for God’s continued blessing on all our women and men religious. Rest assured that they are praying for you.

Father Andrew 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 remaining schedule is as follows:

Monday, December 19: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 20: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 24: 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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.

This three-day online retreat with Jeff Cavins, Fr. Mike Schmitz, and Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio will help attendees embrace their rich inheritance as sons and daughters of God. The standard ticket price is $78.95, BUT if you purchase early, you'll receive a discount! (read full description for details) We have a limited number of spots available, and last year's retreat sold out, so we highly encourage you to get your tickets soon! 

Our CSA goal this year is $211,447. Anything raised above the goal will return to the parish, while any shortfalls must be covered by the parish. Thus, your support is greatly needed and appreciated.

You can also easily give by visiting: sja.aodcsa.org or by clicking on the button below.

I am grateful to those who have already contributed to CSA 2022. As of today, we have $203,144 in pledges and gifts toward our $211,447 goal ($203,144 has been paid thus far toward our total pledged amount). This amount represents gifts from 610 families (we have 3,333 families registered). We have thus achieved 96% of our goal!

In this week’s Encountering the Word video for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Jeff Cavins covers the many powerful themes in this Sunday’s Readings which all point to the birth of Christ next week. This week's readings are:

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7

Alleluia: Matthew 1:23

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24

Friends, many mythologies and philosophies in the ancient world held that time is cyclical; it just goes round and round. Many people today, on the other hand, hold that time is meaningless; it is just one thing after another. The Bible says no to both of those finally despairing understandings of time. As we see in the readings for the fourth Sunday of Advent, time has a trajectory; it moves toward its fulfillment in Christ, who is Emmanuel—“God is with us.”

I Failed … AGAIN! Growing up, I always despised playing anything like Trivial Pursuit because I’m terrible at it. I can’t even stand watching Jeopardy or similar shows because I rarely have any correct answers. Even when I watch Family Feud, I rarely get most of the answers on the board.

Playing Trivial Pursuit or watching Jeopardy just gets me frustrated. I can think of a million other ways to use my time than playing Trivial Pursuit or watching Jeopardy. In the end, this is also why I don’t play golf. Why spend four hours hitting a little white ball around a course that, in the end, only gets you frustrated and mad? I can think of a million things to do with my time that wouldn’t get me frustrated or mad. When I was Cardinal Maida’s priest secretary, he would laugh at my great disdain for golf and say I needed to think of those four hours as going on a retreat. Fat chance. I’d rather clean my garage!

Even in school, I greatly despised multiple-choice questions because I would super-analyze the question and answers to death. I always felt every question was a trick question. Then, to add salt to the injury, throwing in answers like “a and b” or “c and d” would send my brain into hyperdrive. I remember getting a true/false test once that had FOUR options! Yes, FOUR OPTIONS. How can a true/false test have four options? Well, this one test had four options. They were: 1) True, 2) Mostly True, 3) False, 4) Mostly False! UGH! Please don’t do that to my little brain!

At family events, even when I’m trying to take a side-line approach to Trivial Pursuit or Catch Phrase or anything similar, I still get called on to handle the religious questions. “OH, ask the expert,” someone will say. So I usually offer my best guest and then cringe until I hear whether I am right or wrong. And, oh boy, do the nieces and nephews love it when Uncle Mike gets a wrong answer to a Catholic question!

This is all a “tee-up” to a recent day with my mom. It was a Friday. We spent the day doing a bunch of things, and it was time to grab dinner, some rice pudding (the new dessert of choice), and sit down in the “Green Room” to watch the evening news. After watching the evening news, my mom pulled out her phone and went to her Hallow app. As I’ve written in the past, my mom relies heavily on the Hallow app for all of her prayers and devotionals. From various reflections and devotionals to the rosary to various novenas to a host of other prayers, it has become her absolute go-to place for all of her prayers. The Hallow app has been a Godsend to her since my dad’s death.

One of the things the Hallow app was doing during Advent was some type of challenge or Catholic trivia. It would offer five questions, and you only had so many seconds to answer them. My mom had been bemoaning that she would often get four of the five right but never yet got a perfect score for the day. So she was ecstatic the “expert” was next to her because she really really wanted a 5/5 win. I could only roll my eyes; the pressure was on. We got through the first four questions with no problem and got the coveted green card each time, meaning we answered correctly. The last question was: “Which of the Gospels has the account of the birth of Christ?” The answers were something like: a) John; b) Matthew and Luke; c) Matthew, Mark, and Luke; d) Matthew and Mark. Unfortunately, my mom and I did not reach a consensus on the correct answer. She was leaning toward Matthew and Luke, and I immediately went to all of the synoptic Gospels, thus Matthew, Mark, and Luke. She relied on the “expert” and chose Matthew, Mark, and Luke. When she selected that choice, we got a big fat RED card. The “expert” was wrong. I quickly looked up the Gospel of Mark and did a facepalm because I forgot it starts with the preaching of John the Baptist. UGH! This is why I hate any type of trivia game. Not only was I feeling bad because I blew my mom’s chance at a perfect score for the day, but then I got to hear her say to me, “I should have stuck with my answer; I would have finally won. I thought you knew this stuff!”

Christmas Mass Schedule: Our Mass schedule for Christmas is as follows:

4 PM, 6 PM, and 10 PM

8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM

All of our masses will be live-streamed. And, as we have done in the past, we will have two 4 PM Masses. Father Andrew will be the celebrant of the 4 PM Mass in Church, and I will be the celebrant of the 4 PM Mass in Emmaus Hall.

As you will note, there will be no Midnight Mass. Instead, the Midnight Mass has been “moved” to 10 PM. The move has proved pretty popular the last two years and is a welcomed reality for the staff who have to turn around and be back in Church first thing on Christmas morning. So, there is legitimacy to those many callers and emailers asking, “What time is your Midnight Mass.” I used to laugh at the question, never thinking I would succumb to the change! Ugh, it just means I’m getting older!

Christmas Greetings: Since next weekend’s bulletin will be our special Christmas edition, I want to take the opportunity now to extend my Christmas greetings and prayers to you, our faithful and regular parishioners. I am truly grateful for the many ways you share your time, talent, and treasure around the parish. Through your extraordinary generosity, we are changing many lives and doing so much to deepen people’s relationship with the Lord! It’s incredible to realize all the great work and ministry that is being done at our parish. Thank you for all that you do that makes us such an amazing parish!

May the Christ child, the Prince of Peace, enlighten your hearts and homes with the warmth of his light and love! Know you will be remembered in my prayers and masses this Christmas.

Faith That Knows No Fear: The short 1st reading today sounds innocent enough. But there’s a lot going on here. Here’s Ahaz, apparently following God’s commandment from Deuteronomy, not to put the Lord to the test, the same commandment Jesus himself will quote back to the devil during His temptation in the desert.

But the curious question Isaiah asks Ahaz, “Must you weary my God?” suggests that this little snippet of scripture is hiding more than it shows.

Despite being an ancestor of Jesus though the line of David, Ahaz is not some holy observer of the Law of God. He may in fact have been the worst king in the history of Israel. But he provides for us an important insight into faith when comparing Ahaz to his descendant Joseph in today’s Gospel—you don’t inherit badness or goodness—it’s not in your genes. Ahaz’s father Hezekiah had been a good and faithful king; faith can be handed down, but ultimately we must nurture and grow it ourselves.

Ahaz is only about 20 years old, but already he’s King of Judah. Ahaz’s story is told in at least 3 different books of the Old Testament.

No sooner had he become King, and Judah was attacked and invaded by the northern Kingdoms of Syria and Israel, although they were unable to conquer it. The Kings of those nations had formed an alliance to defend themselves against Assyria, and they wanted Ahaz to join Judah to their forces. Which takes us to today’s reading.

Isaiah had been sent by God to tell Ahaz he had no need to worry about Syria and Israel—that they wouldn’t last. God was so generous, that He wanted to prove to Ahaz that He would protect Judah.

Usually people ask God for a sign when they’re having doubts. But here, speaking through Isaiah, God takes the initiative and asks Ahaz to ask Him for a sign…. a miraculous, slam-dunk sign that would smash any doubt that He was a faithful God.

And this is where Ahaz makes this hypocritical claim of piety, “I will not tempt the Lord.” But it’s God who told him to ask! God wants to prove Himself to Ahaz. The remarkable thing is that God will provide a sign of his faithfulness, that He will not abandon His people, even though Ahaz refuses to ask for one. Isaiah tells him that the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, Emmanuel…. God with us.

Ahaz is trying to hide his true intentions from God (never try to do that – it’s pointless!) because Ahaz already came-up with his own shady solution.

He’s worked-out a deal with the enemy, Assyria. By siding with Assyria, he’ll avoid Assyria attacking Judah. But Ahaz is not some great peace-broker. The way he went about gaining Assyrian protection is to sell-out… to become a puppet state of Assyria. Ahaz pays the King of Assyria. He takes gold from the temple and gives it to his rival King and tells him that he’ll be his servant. He makes sacrifice in the temple of his own children on a replica of a pagan altar that had impressed him in Assyria. He’s claiming holiness in not tempting God, but in truth he’s strayed so far from God.

And God’s promise comes true. The Kingdoms of Syria and Israel fall, but God also warns Ahaz that Judah will suffer at the hands of Assyria. Judah escapes their enemies, only to find that their unlikely ally, Assyria, is their real oppressor.

If you think it’s risky to step-out in faith and put your trust in God, try stepping-out on your own without Him and watch what happens. Ahaz could only see the immediate danger, but if he had had enough trust in God’s perspective on the matter, he would have understood that God already had his problem in hand.

Ahaz thought he had to fix it himself. He didn’t trust God enough to leave it with him, so he refused to do what Isaiah urged him to do. He was ruled by fear and it led to the downfall of his nation.

Ahaz’s claim of piety and respect for God’s commandments was his cover for not trusting God. His piety was just a thin veneer, just the appearance of faith, like we see in the Pharisees over and over, while trust in God is real faith and is seen by our actions when we learn to trust God.

I don’t know if there’s a bigger test of faith anywhere in the scriptures, and a greater response to the challenge, than we see in Joseph today in the Gospel:

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid….. It is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, Emmanuel, because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”... “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet.” That prophet was Isaiah, the one who had challenged Ahaz to trust God.

Joseph, a righteous man – how different things turned out because of his trust in the Lord rather than in his own plan to divorce Mary. His faith didn’t need to wait for the sign God would provide.

This sign, the virgin birth was promised for over 700 years, but now it was coming true. God was present to His people, as He had always been, but now in a new and miraculous way. And all of Joseph’s fear could not overcome his faith.

What of us? Do we understand that the sign we may often be asking for, a sign of God’s love and fidelity has already been produced and seen? The promise was already fulfilled – it’s not a future event. God is with us in Jesus Christ. That’s what we celebrate again a week from now.

When push comes to shove, do we speak all the right pious words, but actually put our confidence in ourselves and the world as our guide… as a sign of how to act?

When we come forward to receive the Eucharist, do we say “Amen,” “I believe” and really believe, really mean it… or is it just a veneer – doing what we’re supposed to, while still being at odds with the church and with Christ over our sin, or over something the church teaches.

Do we have the faith of Joseph, or the false piety of Ahaz. One accepted God; one rejected Him.

In this final week of Advent, let’s pray that we may all have the faith to know and to trust that God has already provided for us a sign of His love and faithfulness. Let’s pray, too, that when we celebrate the birth of that sign we call Jesus Christ in a few days time, more than a sign – God Himself, we may receive Him into our hearts and into our lives with all integrity and love.

It’s our final week of Advent. As one of our parishioners says frequently, “Make it Grand!” Christmas will mean so much more if this last week is not simple a race to cram in more shopping. Spend some time this week reflecting on the real significance of what God has done for us and is reminding us of this season. Then Christmas will continue to enrich and grow our faith even when the tree is on the curb and the decorations are stored away.

adawson@sjascs.org 

When we are struggling spiritually or experiencing some physical suffering we can find ourselves asking the question; “Is God listening to my prayer?”

Since he already knows what we need before we even ask him, should we just trust in his providence? Is it an either or?

Today Fr Mike encourages us with examples from scripture to highlight that we ought to both pray for what we need as well as trust that God hears our prayers and will respond according to his good will and pleasure.

21) Words on the Word: December 18, 2022 - To Sleep, To Dream

A recent study, the results of which were reported on an internet portal, reported that two-thirds of American adults indicated that at the top of their Christmas wish list was a product that could give them a good night’s sleep.

These results likely surprised absolutely nobody over the age, of, say, 30 years old.

But why is sleep such an acute need right now? Study respondents said there were several contributors, including more time spent preparing meals, increased shopping, financial stress, family obligations, and time spent wrapping gifts, among other things.

In short, one might say, a lack of sleep is keeping many people awake at night.

It’s a bit ironic, during this season of preparation in which the church reminds us of the importance of being awake to the promise of the coming celebration of Jesus’ birth, we’re also reminded of the great things that can happen when we surrender ourselves – such as during sleep – to the message of God.

“Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to (Joseph) in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home,’” we hear in today’s gospel passage from St. Matthew. “’For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins…’

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”

Being awake, then, and alert, is critically important.

And being restful, at peace with the Lord and his gentle prodding – as in a dream – is equally important.

Christmas is just a week away. What, specifically, are our dreams?

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.

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.

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.

7:00 a.m., Esmenia Soloman Silva

7:00 a.m., Paul Rothrock and Kathleen H. Doak

7:00 a.m., William Dobrzechowski and Paul Rothrock

7:00 a.m., Steve Wright

7:00 a.m., Sr. Patricia Linehan and Raquel Kosebotski

4:00 p.m., Frank Shuder, Dorothy Shuder, George J. Bugarin, John Finn Sr., John Finn Jr., Steven Finn, Joan and Helmut Linden, Alfred Blind, Dorothy Baumann, the deceased members of the Zaranek, McQuillan and Walters Families, Marie Champine, Bonnie Batche, Rose Ferreri, Fran McCarron, Donna Guitar-Johnson, George & Sophie Rupinski, Virginia Prill, the deceased members of the Huvaere & Kerby Families, the deceased members of the Gore Family, Frank Nagy, and Special Intentions for Natividad Mallare, the J. Champine Family, the Everett Family, for Joan Kowaleski, for Peggy McCarron and for the Family and Staff of Bommarito Bakery

6:00 p.m., Ralph Marzolino

10:00 p.m., In Appreciation for the Priests and Staff of SJA

8:00 a.m., For the Intentions of Saint Joan of Arc Parishioners

10:00 a.m., Mary T. Hobig

12:00 p.m., Stencel Mecha, Joseph & Florence Semany, Ron Lagodna, John L. & Marguerite Joseph, Joseph Paluzzi Jr., Cornelius B. Thelen, Emael O. Medina, Jose R. Medina, Rosario O. Medina, Daisy Marie Buenavista, Jeffrey A. Hardy, the deceased members of the Ruhana Family, Roland & Gerri Doak, Leo & Mary Lamparski, Antoni & Frances Murawski, Stephen & Josephine Murawski and a Special Intention for the Mallare Family and the Rogier & Dettloff Families.

Wednesday (December 21):

Thursday (December 22):

5:45 PM - Baptism of Elijah John Chandler

Friday (December 23):

Saturday (December 24):

Sunday (December 25):