Someone came up to me recently and asked an often-asked question; “If John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin and he supposedly leapt in the womb when Mary came to visit Elizabeth, how come he needed a special vision later in life to recognize who he was?” I don’t know, nor does anyone else really. I suppose it was better to feign ignorance than to say “Now, if you don’t believe me, let me introduce you to my second cousin on my mother’s side.” The Gospels were written over a period of a hundred years, some of them building on the previous gospels but each with their own unique flavor and sources. Each was also written as an answer to the unique questions that were arising out of their community at that time: How can I follow a man who was crucified as a traitor? How can I, a Jew, sit down at table with a Gentile? How do I dare, or can I even break a kosher law? Who was this Jesus really - what was his origin? Among other things, John’s community was grappling with Jesus’ divinity. Was he really God become man or was he just a good guy? What’s the difference either way? Isn’t the message as important as or more important than the messenger? To John, this is the ultimate question and his answer in the shortest form is: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.’ (John 3:16) To him, Jesus’ divinity is of the utmost importance, because it is the price of redemption. Salvation is the offering of God of himself for us. It is not just right actions or thinking, which are important, but Jesus is the source of all things, the Word made flesh. So, how do we answer the original question of John the Baptist’s pre-knowledge of Jesus? The story of his relationship to Jesus in Luke’s Gospel may or may not be true, but in John’s Gospel, it wasn’t important. What was important was his message that God became and lived as one of us, and died for us…and the world was never the same. Did he have to die? It’s hard for us to accept how this could make a difference. Why couldn’t we just change on our own? Ahhh…just take a look around.

Presider: Fr. James Cassidy

We celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday at our gym masses this morn-ing with a powerful reading from actor/ singer, TMychael Rambo and witness voices of parishioners Rupa Ryan and Greg King. The SJA Choir sings This Joy as we march together into a new year of challenges and opportunities. Thank you all and welcome!

Don't Miss the MLK Concert this Evening at 7 pm. When I Think of Home is a time of music, word and witness hosted by our own Dan Chouinard. Doors open at 6:15 p,m.

There are no Family Masses today. See you back in the church next Sunday, Jan. 22, for our MLK celebration!

Sun, Jan. 15: Isaiah 49:3,5-6; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-31 Mon, Jan. 16: Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 2:18-22 Tue, Jan. 17: Hebrews 6:10-20; Mark 2:23-28 Wed, Jan. 18: Hebrews 7:1-3,15-17; Mark 3:1-6 Thu, Jan. 19: Hebrews 7:25-8:6; Mark 3:7-12 Fri, Jan. 20: Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark 3:13-19 Sat, Jan. 21: Hebrews 9:2-3,11-14; Mark 3:20-21 Sun, Jan. 22: Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Cor 1:10-13,17; Matt 4:12-23

Aislin, Anne, Ben, Jodi B., Ray B., Sally Backstrom, Louisa Bailey, Dennis Barta, Dick Berggren, Maureen Black, Elaine Boehm, Sally Bolster, Lorraine Bryant, Ron Buchanan, Pam Burd, George C., Dayna Cell, Joe Chouinard, Marge Collins, Clenora Creapeau, Dolores Cufaude, Betty Culver,

Barb D., Roger D., Anita Dahinton, Judith Dale, Megan & Nicholas Daoust, Colleen Dooley, Anne Duvalley, JoAnne Engelking, Bonnie Fitzgibbons, John & Margaret Frees, Rose Ann Garrison, Peter & Kathleen Giefer, Betty Goodman, Ben Goodwin, Ralph Gotto, Teresa Graham, Heidi Gregorich, Tom Griep, Angie Hancock, Brent Harapat, Jamel Harris, Mary Havstad, Bernhard Hering, Katie Hines, Helen Hinton, Jim Hinton, Ethan Hoeschen, Megan Hoffman, Mary Hoody, Emily Horner, Jan Horner, Kathy Horner, Neysa Housley, Kirk Ingram, Dorothy Irvin, Judy, Ginny J., Cecilia Jaisle, Dan & Tom Jay, Rich Johnson, Paul Jonsson, Kevin, Jean Karol, Maria Karpinski, Glen Kelley, Erika Kraus, Gary Kremer, Fred Kroog, Paul L.,

Amy Lainus, Ivy Lang, Melva Larson, Rachel Larson, Dick Leahy, Gary Lindstrom, Pat Lyon, Jim Lyons, Malia, Margaret, Kyle M., Thomas Madryga, Katherine Malaga, Marguerite, Anthony Marino, Masterson Family, Harvey May, Dawn McClelland, Anne McCraken, Mary Jo McMahon, Wally May,

Bill McReavy, Chuck Meiers, Mike, Jerre Miller, Sid Monroe, Jean & Bob Moore, Nate, Craig Norby, Millie Nortley, Tom O’Brien, Erma Odendahl, Rana Olk, Ken Olsen, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera, Pam, Judy P., Sandy Pearson, Joan Penrose, Bill Peterka, Bob Pierce, Dick Pirola, Ted Pouliot, C. Popp, Bennett Queen, Ross, Doris Rausch, Bob Reiter, Barbara Risdall, Donald Roufs, Margaret Rowser, Helen Russett, Conrad Sampair,

Kay Samuelson, Kay Sanders, Gene Schultz, Larry Seekamp, Dana Sell, Mac Shapland, Aileen & Dave Sheppard, Sam Slagerman, Joan Speltz, Jeff Stearns, Trisha, Irene Taddiken, Jane Tax, Matthew Tennant, Mary Eve Thomas, Echo Thoren, Carin Vagle, Leroy Vague, Susan Weatherly,

Marlys Weber, Bennett Wentworth, Darlene Wheeler, Phil Wixsten, Maureen Wolf, Patricia Wood, Ann Woolsey

Prayer Corner Requests: To keep prayer requests current, names will be included in the bulletin for four weeks and then removed. To add a name or to renew your request, please call Nancy Becker at 612.823.8205 ext. 223.

A Book of Prayer is located in our Gym vestibule. If you have a family member or friend who is ill or who has recently died, please write their names in our Book of Prayer before Mass so we may include them in prayers during our Sunday Masses.

FFI check the bulletin, the SJA website or call the Parish Center. The Upper Room is located in the Parish Center; Hospitality Hall, in the Church basement; the Arc, across 45th Street, 4457 3rd Av.

Sunday, January 15

MLK Concert, 7 pm in the Gym

Monday, January 16

The Parish Center Offices will be Closed

Tuesday, January 17

8 am Mass in the Church

SJA Happy Hour, 4 - 6 pm at Lakeshore Grill, Macy’s Southdale

Thursday, January 19

8 am Mass in the Church

Choir at 7 pm in the Church

SignUpGenius for Eucharistic Ministers is available online. It is simple, user friendly and a reminder is sent 3 days before your scheduled volunteer day. FFI contact Marcia at mkurtz@stjoan.com. Gluten-free Communion is available upon request. Please see

any of the Sunday sacristans in the Gym before Mass.

Sunday 9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

Sunday, January 22: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: Chuck Denny has been a prominent business and community leader for more than 50 years. Chuck is also a former director of the MN Center for Corporate Responsibility and a challenging voice for systemic change in our economy.

January 29: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Dr. Edwige Mubonzi is a physician from the Democratic Republic of Congo who refused to be silent about the treatment of women in war and was forced to flee her country as a refugee.

February 5: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Matthew Sanford will share his journey as a nationally recognized yoga teacher, founder of Mind Body Solutions (recipient of an SJA Justice Grant), author of Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence, and a paraplegic for the last 37 years.

February 26: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. We thank our SJA Men-tal Health Ministry for bringing John Bauer to us as a pre-mass speaker. John lost his adult daughter to suicide and as he jour-neyed through his grief, he created “What’s Left?”, a multimedia art exhibit that spurs a proactive dialogue on suicide and mental illness to break the stigma that surrounds it.

Choir will rehearse this Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 pm in the church. If you have been thinking of joining our music ministry, this is a good time to do so as we prepare for Lent and Easter. If you can sing in tune and have a love of music, you are welcomed to give it a try! FFI call Anna Vagle at 612.823.8205 ext. 235. The Next SJA Happy Hour will be this Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the

Lakeshore Grill in Macy's Southdale (lower level). Join us there from 4 to 6 pm (note time change) for some great 2017 socializing with other SJA folks.

Prayer Partner Information Night: If you are interested in this prayer ministry, please join us on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 in the Parish Center. FFI call Anna Vagle at 612.823.8205 ext 235. New Member Dinner: On Wednesday, January 25, we welcome new members! If you’ve registered as a member since October, you and your family are invited to this informal dinner hosted by staff and volunteers at 6 pm in Hospitality Hall. Did you register this past year but were unable to attend a previous dinner? Join us at this one! RSVP by Jan. 22 to the Parish Center at 612.823.8205. Concert Series: Sunday, April 30: Collective Unconscious: Deja Vu. With precision and soul, CU plays Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 1970 album front to back right in front of our eyes. Come and experience this album in an exciting new way!! Concert begins at 7 pm, tickets are $20 and are on sale at www.stjoan.com. Kingfield Empty Bowls: On Thursday, Feb. 9, 4 - 8 pm at MLK Park on 40th and Nicollet, you are invited to this neighborhood event, a fundraiser and soup dinner for Nicollet Square, which provides affordable housing for homeless youth just a few blocks away at 37th and Nicollet. Also, if you are an artist who would like to donate handmade, food-safe bowls, contact Sarah at sarah@kingfield.org, 612.791.7081. Over $10,000 was raised at last year's event! New Hydration Stations! The old water fountain in the school hall-way has been replaced with a new fountain that has a water bottle filler! Look for more to be installed on campus in the near future. The Sunday Morning Registration and Information Office is located in the Parish Center. In the office you may register to become a SJA parishioner, get program information, sign up for a program, and register to volunteer. The office is open after both of our Sunday morning liturgies. Parking: Please remember there is no parking on either side of

46th Street due to the recent modifications. Be considerate of our neighbors and their property. Please don’t block driveways or park in their on-street handicapped areas. Thank you!

Summary of contributions for the week and fiscal year. Includes plate, envelopes and estimated Sustaining Member payments.

Week of January 8, 2017 Actual $29,042 Budget $30,467 Prior Year Actual $28,923 YTD (July 1 – January 8, 2017) Actual $1,116,464 Budget $1,176,757 Prior Year Actual $1,065,055

Thank You!

Meet Your Parish Council: This weekend you are invited to visit with Parish Council members. After the 5 pm Saturday Mass, Kathy Wedl will be in the Church entry. Sunday after the 9 am Gym Mass and the 9:45 Family Mass, Mary Ahler will be in the hospitality areas. Rupa Ryan Kryzer and Andrea Palumbo will be in the hospitality areas after the 11 am Gym Mass and 11:45 Family Mass. Council members will be happy to answer your questions about the work of the Council and to hear your suggestions for our SJA community. They would really like to meet new SJA members so stop by and say “Hello”. SJA Delegation to Guatemala: Next Sunday we will bless

our delegation to our Sister Parish in Tierra Nueva Dos in Guatemala. 10 parishioners - Rosey Vogan, Joe and Carol Bell, Dennis Callahan, Mary Buhr, Jeff and Rita Nohner, Karin Grosscup, Phyllis Smith and Kate

Casserly - will be with our Sister Parish family from Jan. 27 through Feb. 6. They have been preparing for months for this incredible experience and will share stories of their journey after each mass on Sunday, Feb. 19. We thank them for their commitment and their willingness to be part of this 22 year Sister Parish relationship. Vaya con Dios! Final Open House for Prospective Students at DeLaSalle is scheduled on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 - 9 pm. This is the best opportunity for families to learn a lot about DeLaSalle in one visit. The "early decision" application deadline for the 2017-18 school year is Friday, Feb. 10. To learn more about the applica-tion process, to access application materials, set up a student shadow visit, or to complete a Financial Aid Application, please go to delasalle.com/admissions/applying-for-admissions. Update for the New Year! Catholic Charities in Saint Paul (1276 University Avenue W.) has Counseling openings for anyone interested in working on changes for the New Year: individual, marriage, family therapy and men’s groups, and bilingual Counseling in Spanish. Insurance and sliding fee. Call 651.647.3186; please leave a message if necessary, and you WILL get a return call!

FFI on Pastoral Ministries contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at 612.823.8205 ext 231 or via email: mkelly@stjoan.com.

Mental Health Ministry: Monday, Feb. 13 at SJA in Hospitality Hall. Join us for a discussion of How Mental Illness is Portrayed in Movies. How does the film industry continue the fears, stereotypes and stigmas

associated with mental illness? Are there examples of people with mental illness living positive, successful lives? Light supper, 5:45 pm; program, 6:30 - 8 pm. Free will offering accepted. All are welcome. 1.8 C.E.U's available to students and professionals. FFI contact Mary Ann at the Parish Center. Recommended Reading: Hidden Victims, Hidden Healers, An Eight-stage Healing Process for Families and Friends of the Mentally Ill, by psychotherapist, Julie Tallard Johnson, MSW, LICSW. One copy is available in the Caregivers section of the Parish Resource library. The BeFriender Ministry offers confidential listening and support in times of life challenges or transitions. FFI contact Carolyn at 651.485.2868 or Mary Ann at the Parish Center. The Parish Visitor Ministry is available to parishioners who cannot join us for worship or would like an additional long or short term parish connection in the home, hospital, rehab or care center. FFI/or anyone interested in serving in the BeFriender or Parish Visitor Ministry, contact Mary Ann at the Parish Center. TRUST, Inc. Winter/Spring Grief Support Series begins Thursday, Jan. 26 and runs every Thursday through March 30, hosted by SJA in our Parish Center. The series starts with pro-fessional grief counselor, Lee Erickson's presentation, What is Grief? Registration and refreshments, 6:15 pm; presentation, 6:30 - 7 pm,; facilitated small groups ,7 - 8 pm. Schedules are available on the church/gym hallway bulletin boards or in the Parish Center. FFI contact the coordinator, Norine Larson at 952.925.2437.

Inauguration Weekend Events: Cry Unto Pharaoh: A Shabbat Service of Faith, Love and

Chutzpah at Shir Tikvah Synagogue in Minneapolis, Friday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 pm. Spend inauguration evening lifting our voices in prayer, resistance and hopeful determination.

On Sunday, Jan. 22 at Calvary Lutheran Church at 5 pm, you are invited to a multi-faith service of reflection, music and ritu-al to ground us in love for one another as we work for a hope-filled future together.

Every Church a Peace Church: On Monday, Jan. 23, SJA will host this network of people of faith dedicated to nonviolence, and we are thrilled to welcome Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Kathy Kelly, back to us! She will speak on Confronting State-Sponsored Violence at Home and Abroad (potluck at 6:30; presentation at 7 pm). All are welcome!

For Such a Time As This: Building Our Prophetic Resistance. On Saturday, Jan. 28, join fellow SJAers and more than 1500 people of faith from ISAIAH member congregations in worship and action. We have a vision and a plan to realize economic and racial justice in our state and we will call on our elected representatives to join us as we build

a hopeful Minnesota together. ISAIAH is a powerhouse coalition, more necessary than ever - join us! FFI/to register, contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center. SJA Housing Ministry: Are you looking for a great hands-on volunteer opportunity with wonderful fellow SJAers? Our SJA Housing Ministry volunteers partner with Urban Homeworks rehabbing homes and apartment buildings that will provide beautiful and affordable housing to a low-income family and help restore our city's neighborhoods. Next volunteer date is Saturday, Feb. 4 - no experience necessary. FFI/to volunteer, contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center. Coffee and Conversation with SJA ISAIAH: We are a member of ISAIAH, a powerful and effective coalition for economic and racial justice. To learn more about our current efforts and how you can plug in to this work and our wonderful SJA ISAIAH core team, join us after the 11:00 mass on Sunday, Feb. 5 in the Parish Center. All are welcome! Nuclear Weapons Roundtable: The threat of nuclear weapons and war is looming large in our nation's future once again. Will you support banning nuclear weapons? Join a public discussion hosted by the WAMM (Women Against Military Madness) End War Committee on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 pm in Hospitality Hall and learn how you can engage in this movement. WAMM is a Sustaining Partner of the SJA Outreach Fund. Mobile Loaves and Fishes needs toiletry size soap, toothpaste toothbrushes, shampoo, lotion, socks, hats and mittens for the winter. Please place your donations in the collection hamper across from the food shelf bin in the Parish Center entrance. FFI contact mlf.mpls@gmail.com.

FFI on Peace & Justice programs contact Julie Madden at 612.823.8205 ext 228 or jmadden@stjoan.com.

SJA: Our History with Racism on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6:30 pm in Hospitality Hall. We will build on the energy of MLK weekend at SJA with an event , looking at racism, and efforts to ad-dress and end racism, in our parish and in our neighborhood - including a first hand account

from parishioner Alberta Johnson detailing where we've been and inspiring discussion of where we're going together in this new year. All are welcome!

We form the faith of our community through participation in prayer, liturgy, sacraments, education, community and works of justice.

Camp St. Joan Peru - 2017: We will meet on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 am in the Arc (location change) to start our preparation for Camp. We will have lunch and activities. Bring the whole family! RSVP to Therese if you are interested at tpendleton@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 ext. 230.

Feed My Starving Children: On Feb. 4, join other SJA families to make a difference by helping to pack food for children and families in need around the world. We meet at the Eagan site from 2 to 4 pm. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Shine! Celebrating Our Gifts: All kids in 1st - 6th grade, come share your talents with us at our showcase, Shine! Celebrating Our Gifts on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10 am in the church. Do you play an instrument? Sing? Dance? Have another talent you’d like to share? Come, shine! We’ll watch each other perform then enjoy some goodies together. Sign up after the Family Masses or contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. New to SJA? Meet a Mentor Family! Do you love SJA but find it hard to connect with other parish families? Would you like to be part of the many exciting SJA ministries, but don’t know how to get started? Sign up with a mentor family! Your mentor family will join you for coffee and cookies after a Family Mass to share with you the ways their family found a home at SJA. FFI, contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Shoes for the Homeless: Calvary Church in Minneapolis has a foot ministry, in which volunteers wash and groom the feet of homeless guests and give them a fresh pair of shoes. We are accepting donations of gently used shoes for this ministry. Only sturdy shoes and winter boots in good condition please. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Baptism: To have your child baptized at St. Joan’s you must be a registered member and participate in a 90-minute Baptism preparation class. FFI/to register call JP at the Parish Center.

: FFI contact Michelle Dehn, Nursery Director at

mdehn@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 ext. 240.

Our Nursery, located in the lower level of the Parish Center, is open for the 9 & 11 am Sunday Masses. The Nursery is a wonderful community of families and volunteers that allows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other families in the Parish. Drop-ins welcome!

: (Ages 4-Kindergarten) FFI contact Therese

Pendleton at 612.823.8205 ext. 230 or tpendleton@stjoan.com.

: (Grades 1-6) FFI contact Marie Bissonnette

at 612.823.8205 ext. 229 or mbissonnette@stjoan.com.

Schedule: No Faith Formation Classes or Family Mass today. Regular classes on Jan. 22 and 29. First Reconciliation has been rescheduled to Jan. 28 at 10 am in the Church.

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

Poling at 612.823.8205 ext. 241 or dpoling@stjoan.com or Kelley Deshler at kdeshler@stjoan.com.

Winter Fun Night: Join us on Friday, Jan. 27 for a night of ice skating, hot cocoa, and winter fun at the Depot Downtown! 6 - 9 pm, $15, registration online. Cost includes admission, skate rentals, and a hot cocoa! Friends are welcome! FFI contact Kelley Deshler at kdeshler@stjoan.com.

Slopefest (Grades 7-12): Join us for a weekend full of fun, faith, friends, skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Friday, Feb. 17 - 20. $275 for skiers and snowboarders. We will stay at YMCA Camp Warren and hit the slopes of Giants Ridge in Biwabik. Pick up a permission slip in the Parish Center. FFI contact Donelle at dpoling@stjjoan.com. Must register by Feb. 5. Friends welcome!

: FFI contact Cynthia Bailey Manns at

612.823.8205 ext. 226 or cmanns@stjoan.com.

Remember the Sabbath - Saturday, Jan. 28, 9 - 11:30 am in the Upper Room: Whether you're juggling work, par-enting, church involvement, recreation, sacred activism and/or all the other things that fill your busy lives, we invite you to unplug and join us as we explore the spiritual practice of Sabbath-

keeping. Let's draw replenishment from the still voice of the Spirit within. RSVP online at www.stjoan.com or call the Parish Center.

The Women of St. Joan of Arc are hosting their winter event, Women Deacons in the Church, Saturday, Feb. 4, 8:45 - 11 am in Hospitality Hall. Coffee and registration at 8:45 am; program begins at 9 am. The event includes a panel of experts on the topic of the role of deacons, preparation and outcome from the task force on women deacons. RSVP online or call the Parish Center. Parish Book Club meets on the 2nd Wednesday of a month at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center to discuss our experiences with great stories. Everyone is welcome anytime! Here’s what to read next: February 8: Vatican Diaries by John Thavis March 8: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

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