February 23, 2020 (View this bulletin on-line at www.StJoanofarcfl.com) Page 1

ST. JOAN OF ARC ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 13485 Spring Hill Drive • Spring Hill • Florida • 34609

Telephone: 352-688-0663

Notes from your Pastor

Ash Wednesday Lent begins with ashes. This is a sign of mourning, grieving, and repentance for both Jews and Christians. This is seen in Isiah 58:5 and Matthew 11:21. In the early Church, those who committed serious sins had to do public penance. This could last for years. Penitents were organized into an “Order of Penitents”. The process was ritualized and concluded on Holy Thursday. This is when the penitents were readmitted into the Church and into the Eucharist.. One of the signs of a penitent was dirt or ashes on a person’s head. By the early Middle Age, this practice became a general Lenten tradition for all Christians. This started the beginning of Lent. It became a way for Christians to publicly show their sorrow for sin. It also showed symbolically that they were making an effort to get rid of sin in their life. They also wanted to open themselves to God. On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes on our heads that is traced with the sign of the cross. We are reminded of who we are. We are creatures in need of God’s love and forgiveness. The readings for Ash Wednesday offer good guidance. This is true, not only for this day, but for our Lenten journey. We see this in the Ash Wednesday readings. Joel calls all of us to return to the Lord through our prayer and fasting. Paul tells us not to “receive the grace of the Lord in vain” (2 Cor. 5;20-6:2). Jesus reminds us to pray, fast, and give alms not to impress others, but to please our Lord (Mt. 6:1-6:16-18). Adapted by Our Sunday Visitor by Amy Welborn

Please attend our Parish Mission offered by Fr. John Anglin. Our Mission theme is LIVING THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL. Our mission begins on Monday, March 2 and ends on Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00 pm each evening. Monday the theme is: A LOVING GOD: THE CAUSE OF OUR JOY Tuesday the theme is: THE GIFT OF MERCY Wednesday the theme is: CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME, MERCY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AN FOR ALL GOD’S CREATURES.

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La semana pasada oímos a Jesús decirles a sus discípulos: “No crean que he venido a abolir la ley o los profetas; no he venido a abolirlos, sino a darles plenitud” (Mateo 5, 17). Efectivamente, en el Evangelio de hoy escuchamos a Jesús usar las mismas palabras que usa la Torá en la primera lectura: “No odies. . . ni guardes rencor. . . ama a tu prójimo”, así le dice Dios a Moisés (Levítico 19, 17–18). La diferencia raya en cómo se entendía la palabra “prójimo”. En el libro del Levítico “prójimo” quería decir “conciudadano”. El Antiguo Testamento está lleno de incidentes en que el pueblo escogido tomó venganza contra pueblos y líderes que los perseguían, los cuales no eran “conciudadanos”. Lo que Jesús dice, ya sea haciendo del samaritano el héroe de la parábola que usó para contestar la pregunta de “¿quién es mi prójimo” o ya sea al decir “amen a sus enemigos y rueguen por los que los persiguen” es un cambio radical (Mateo 5, 44). “Ojo por ojo, diente por diente” (Mateo 5, 38, del libro del Éxodo 21, 24), conocido como el lex taliones (la ley del talión), pudiera parecer como una defensa de la venganza, pero en aquel tiempo era considerado como una respuesta conmensurada y moderada. Se ha encontrado en registros que datan desde el siglo dieciocho AEC y se trataba de una variación civilizada de ciertas prácticas que permitían, y aun anticipaban, que la parte perjudicada cobrara una venganza excesivamente desproporcionada del daño causado. Lex taliones prohíbe la venganza excesiva; Jesús prohíbe la venganza del todo. Aun así, la instrucción que da Jesús de “sean perfectos” suena imposible. Sólo Dios es perfecto. Somos humanos y por lo tanto incapaces de la verdadera perfección. Y sin embargo, tal como dice san Pablo en la segunda lectura, “el Espíritu de Dios habita en ustedes” (1 corintios 3, 16). Nuestro desa-fío consiste en permitirle al Espíritu Santo que tome posesión plena y perfectamente de nosotros. Pregunta de la semana ¿Cómo pudiera permitirle al Espíritu que me guíe más plenamente? ¿Cómo afectaría eso la manera en que trato a los que me tratan bien a mí, así como a los que me maltratan?

The Extra Mile...

A story…

One day, a professor entered his classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They all waited anxiously at their desks for the exam to begin. The professor handed out the exams with the text facing down, as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn over the papers. To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions–just a black dot in the center of the paper. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone’s faces, told them the following: “I want you to write about what you see there.” The students, confused, got started on the inexplicable task. At the end of the class, the professor took all the exams, and started reading each one of them out loud in front of all the students. All of them, with no exception, defined the black dot, trying to explain its position in the center of the sheet. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor started to explain: “I’m not going to grade you on this, I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot – and the same thing happens in our lives. However, we insist on focusing only on the black dot – the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend. The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our hearts. Take your eyes away from the black dots in your lives. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you. Be happy and live a life filled with love!” The people that come and go into our lives are part of the texture of our journey. Each person we meet becomes part of our journey and we become part of theirs. The person we go the extra mile for are special blessings in our lives. We don’t know as we begin that mile, where God is taking us.. but we do know that the journey is worth it.. because it is a journey of love… Christ’s love. Two disciples were walking and talking about all that just happened. A stranger came up to them and walked with them and joined them in their conversation. The disciples went the extra mile and invited the stranger to dinner with them. The stranger went the extra mile and joined them for dinner. As they broke bread the stranger was no longer a stranger.

Notes from Deacon Fred Notitas del Diácono José

February 23, 2020 (View this bulletin on-line at www.StJoanofarcfl.com) Page 3

The Mission of St. Joan of Arc Parish is to put Jesus first in our lives by seeking to know Him in Scripture, Encountering Him in Prayer, Celebrating His Presence among

us in praise and worship and uniting with one another in loving service.

FOOLISHNESS Sometimes the idea of repentance seems old-fashioned, naïve, even foolish. But if you’re looking for real foolishness, you’ll find it in today’s readings. We begin with Leviticus and the admonition, “Take no revenge and cherish no grudge” (Leviticus 19:18). We’ve heard that message before, of course, so we might forget how far it is from the so-called “practical realities of life.” Saint Paul warns us about being practical, though. Whoever considers oneself wise had better “become a fool,” because “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God” (1 Corinthians 3:18, 19). This “foolishness” continues in the Gospel: “Offer no resistance to one who is evil” (Matthew 5:39). In fact, offer the other cheek when you’ve been slapped. Hand over your coat as well as your shirt. Be like God, who sends sunshine and rain on the bad as well as the good. “So be perfect,” says Jesus, “just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (5:48). TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Take no revenge and cherish no grudge; love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18). Psalm — The Lord is kind and merciful (Psalm 103). Second Reading — You are the temple of God, and holy (1 Corinthians 3:16-23). Gospel — Offer no resistance; love your enemies (Matthew 5:38-48). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Jas 3:13-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 9:14-29 Tuesday: Jas 4:1-10; Ps 55:7-11a, 23; \ Mk 9:30-37 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 — 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17; Rom 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]; Mt 4:1-11

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Wednesday: Ash Wednesday; Fast and Abstinence ASH WEDNESDAY Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving: these disci-plines, prescribed by Jesus himself in the Sermon on the Mount, along with strict instructions not to flaunt them in public to win recognition and praise (Matthew 6:1-18), have been embraced by all the saints at the beginning of every Lent for almost two thousand years. But mention Lent, and many react with a grimace or slight shudder—even now, years after official obligations have been reduced to a minimum! No wonder the Eastern Rite’s “Lenten Announcement” sounds surprising: “Let us receive with joy, O faithful people, the divinely inspired announcement of Lent! The Lenten Spring shines forth! Begin the fast with joy! Let us fast from passions as well as food, taking pleasure in the good works of the Spirit, and accomplishing them in love!” Saint John Chrysostom, whose feast is September 13, elaborates: “Do you fast? Give proof by your works. If you see a poor person, take pity. An enemy, be reconciled. A friend gaining honor, don’t be jealous.” A positive approach! May the saints help us keep such a Lent! —Peter Scagnelli FORGIVENESS People who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they must pass if they are to reach heaven; for everyone has a need to be forgiven. —George Herbert REPENTANCE Of all human acts, repentance is the most divine. The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none. —Thomas Carlyle FORGIVING AN ENEMY Who has not forgiven an enemy has not yet tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life. —Johann Kaspar Lavater

Spanish Stations of the Cross every Friday at 5:30 PM

English Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7:00 PM

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SATURDAY • February 22 9:00 a.m. For Disabled Veterans 4:00 p.m. For the Soul of Winifred A. Keefe (D) req by Her Loving Husband, Bob ——————————–————————–—— SUNDAY • February 23 7:30 a.m. For Our Parish Community 9:00 a.m. Salvatore Giovenco (D) req by Family 11:00 a.m. Miguel Bogalhas 10th anniversary (D) req by Loving Family 1:00 p.m. Por las mamás no casadas —————————————————–——–—

MONDAY • February 24 9:00 a.m. Charles O. Peterson (D) req by Don and Tricia Whiteley —————————————————––——– TUESDAY • February 25 9:00 a.m. Dorothea Graca (D) req by Her Loving Husband, John ——————————————————–—-—-

ASH WEDNESDAY • February 26 9:00 a.m. Charles White (D) req by Joe and Barb Cahill 5:45 p.m. John Keenan (D) req by Kimberly McAuley (Mass for Faith Formation) 7:00 p.m. For the Souls in Purgatory ———————————————————–— THURSDAY • February 27 9:00 a.m. For the Souls in Purgatory req by Barbara Brush ——————————————————–——– FRIDAY • February 28 9:00 a.m. John Martellucci (D) req by Mary Sciorra ——————————————————–—–— SATURDAY • February 29 9:00 a.m. For Unity in our Country 4:00 p.m. Pat Taylor (D) req by Parish Staff ——————————————————––—— SUNDAY • March 1 7:30 a.m. Liliane and Warren Tracktman (D) req by Mario and Yanick Tryfonos 9:00 a.m. For Our Parish Community 11:00 a.m. Agostinho and Agostinha Rodrigues (D)

req by Rita Rashak 1:00 p.m. Olimpio Paulino y Heroína Hernandez

(D) req by hija, Silvana Maria Paulino

You cannot out-do the generosity of God. Stewardship Report for January 26, 2020

Attendance: 951 Envelopes : $5285.00 Offertory Cash $1730.00 2nd Collection $ 619.00 Total: $7634.00

You are invited to attend our annual Parish Mission, next week, February 29 through March 4. Our presenter is Fr. John Anglin, OFM. The theme of our Mission is:

LIVING THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL.

Fr. John Anglin, OFM was born and raised in Boston, MA where he entered the friars after graduating from high school. He was ordained in 1971 and obtained a Masters in Religious Education from the Catholic University of American in 1974. Also, in 1992, he received a certificate in homiletics from the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. Since ordination, Fr. John has served in various ministries including teaching, high school, parish ministry, the formation of candidates to the friars, marriage encounter and two years as a missionary in Bolivia. He has been with the Ministry of the Word since 1987 and has conducted more than 500 parish missions and presented many retreats for priests and religious. Fr. John has also published two books The Wandering Friar, and following Jesus in the Footsteps of Francis. Both are published by Lantern Books of Brooklyn, NY. The first book paints a picture of the Church through the eyes of the many people and places that Fr. John has served over the years, the second is a guide to Franciscan spirituality for everyone. Fr. John speaks Spanish as well as Italian. Some of his interests are bicycle riding, movies and an avid following of all of the Boston sports teams.

Let us Remember about Lenten Fasting Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fast-ing, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast", to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection.

February 23, 2020 (View this bulletin on-line at www.StJoanofarcfl.com) Page 5

Pastoral Team Rev. Patrick Rebel, Pastor

Assisting Priests: Rev. Edward Reiter, Rev. Michael Kouts Rev. Dennis Kaelin, Msgr. Joe Sobiesiak Deacons: Deacon Fred LaPiana, Deacon José Cruz Deacon Mike Ruffner

Parish Business Manager: Anne Cofone Faith Formation & Youth Ministry: 352-686-7864

Director of Faith Formation: Mary Jo Waggoner StJoanRelEd@gmail.com

Director of Youth Ministry: Nancy Lovelock SJOA-Youth@Tampabay.rr.com

Director of Music: Joyce Thorpe SJOAorganist@gmail.com

OFFICE EMAIL: jchrchca@tampabay.rr.com

Website: www.StJoanofArcfl.com

Spiritual Emergencies Only: 352-666-3156

Parish Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. - Noon Closed daily 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Office Phone: 352-688-0663

Ministers of the Eucharist: Please notify the Parish Office if you, or someone you know, is sick, in the hospital, homebound or shut-in.

Eucharistic Liturgies Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 pm (Spanish) Weekdays: Monday - Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & by appointment

Baptism for Children: Please call the Parish Office.

Matrimony: If you are contemplating marriage at St. Joan of Arc Church, please be mindful that there is a six month prior notice request required.

RCIA/RCIC: Rite of Initiation into the Catholic faith.

“In His Footsteps” Soup & Sandwich Lunch: Served in our Parish Family Hall on the 2nd Thursday of each month from Noon - 2:00 p.m. and for our home-bound only on the 4th Thursday of each month.

Mary & Martha’s Gift Shop: Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Saturday: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Closed during all Masses and the month of August.

St. Vincent de Paul Society: 352-556-3670

Notre Dame Catholic School: Phone: 352-683-0755 Website: www.ndcsfl.org

To all women of our parish. You are invited by our Council of Catholic Women to a retreat given by our parishioner, Magda Robles, on Saturday, February 29th from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. It will be held in our Parish Hall and will begin with our 9am Mass. It includes a light breakfast and lunch. The fee is only $10. We will be taking names and money after all Masses in January and February. If you have any questions please call Marbeth DiTrani at 352-688-3258.

Monthly Presentations to begin in February!! Do you have questions about the Catholic Liturgical Calendar? Save the Date! Come and learn about our Liturgical Calendar as Fr. Pat teaches all of the seasons, why we have the colors change throughout the year, what they mean and why does Easter’s date always change? Come February 27th at 6:30 for this, the first of many monthly presentations, by our Pastor and our Deacons. Call our Mary Jo Waggoner, (our Faith Formation Director) at 352-686-7864 if you have a topic you would like presented.

ASH WEDNESDAY IS THIS WEEK!!

This week begins the season of Lent. We will celebrate Ash Wednesday Masses at: • 9:00 am • 5:45 pm for children, parents and Catechists in the

Faith Formation Program. Please be seated by 5:45.

• 7:00 pm Please plan on attending an Ash Wednesday Mass that begins the Season of Lent, a most important time of the year for Alms-giving, Penance and Prayer.

The Lenten Fish Dinners Sponsored by Knight of Columbus Council 11317, at St Joan of ARC Parish Hall, 13485 Spring Hill Drive. Served from 4:30 to 7:00 PM. Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020 and Fridays During lent. Last Dinner is April 3, 2020. Serving clam chowder, cod fish (fried or baked), three choices of potato, coleslaw coffee or cold drink and des-sert. Same price $9.00 with water & Soda available for purchase.

Page 6 (View this bulletin on-line at www.StJoanofarcfl.com February 23, 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1Masses- 7:30-9:00-11am-1 pm Spanish Sac.Prep.9am Lit. of Word 11:00 am (L) RCIA 10 am(L)

2 7 pm Lenten Mission

3 7 pm Lenten Mission

4 7 pm Lenten Mission Choir Reh. 8:00 pm (S)

5CCW board Mtg. 9:30 am (L) Benediction 6 pm (S) Knights of Columbus mtg. 7 pm (H) Columbiettes mtg. 7 pm (H)

6Widow’s mtg. 9 am (L) Fish Fry 4:30 pm (H) Spanish Stations 6 pm (S) Stations of the Cross 7 pm (S)

7Mass 9 am 10-11 Confession Hispanic mtg. 10 am (L) Vigil Mass 4pm Confirmation Retreat 9am- 4 pm (H)

8Masses- 7:30-9:00-11am-1 pm Spanish Sac.Prep.9am Lit. of Word 11:00 am (L) RCIA 10 am(L) Confirmation 8 am Hall

9 SVdP mtg. 9:30 am (L) Coin Club mtg. 6:30 (H) Spanish Bible Study 6:30 pm (L)

10Travel Club 10 am (L) Spanish Prayer Group 7 pm (S) Bible Study 7 pm (L) RCIA 7 pm (Nu)

11Rel. Ed. Classes 5:45pm (Nu, L,H) Choir Reh. 6:30 pm (S) Youth Group 7:30 pm (L)

12CCW Gen’l Mtg. 9:30 am (L) Soup/Sand. Lunch Noon (H) Parish Council 2 pm (L) KC 4th Degree Mtg. 7 pm (H)

13Fish Fry 4:30 pm (H) Spanish Stations 6 pm (S) Stations of the Cross 7 pm (S)

14Mass 9 am 10-11 Confession Vigil Mass 4 pm

15Masses- 7:30-9:00-11am-1 pm Spanish Sac.Prep.9am Lit. of Word 11:00 am (L) RCIA 10 am(L) Edge 11 am (H)

16Spanish Bible Study 6:30 pm (L)

17Assoc. Of Divine Provi-dence 10 am (L) Spanish Prayer Group 7 pm (S) Bible Study 7 pm (L) RCIA 7 pm (Nu)

18 No Religious Ed. Classes Choir Reh. 6:30 pm (S)

19 CCW District Conf. 9 am (H)

20Fish Fry 4:30 pm (H) Spanish Stations 6 pm (S) Stations of the Cross 7 pm (S)

21Mass 9 am 10-11 Confession RCIA Retreat 8 am (L) West Hernando Coin Club Show 9 am(H) Vigil Mass 4 pm

22Masses- 7:30-9:00-11am-1 pm Spanish Sac.Prep.9am Lit. of Word 11:00 am (L) RCIA 10 am(L) Confirmation 8 am (H)

23Spanish Bible Study 6:30 pm (L)

24Spanish Prayer Group 7 pm (S) Bible Study 7 pm (L) RCIA 7 pm (Nu)

25Rel. Ed. Classes 5:45pm (Nu, L,H) Choir Reh. 6:30 pm (S) Youth Group 7:30 pm (L)

26 Knights of Columbus board mtg. 7 pm (H) Columbiettes board mtg. 7 pm (H)

27Fish Fry 4:30 pm (H) Spanish Stations 6 pm (S) Stations of the Cross 7 pm (S)

28Mass 9 am 10-11 Confession Vigil Mass 4 pm Chinese Auction 5 pm (H)

29Masses- 7:30-9:00-11am-1 pm Spanish Sac.Prep.9am Lit. of Word 11:00 am (L) RCIA 10 am(L)

30Spanish Bible Study 6:30 pm (L)

31Spanish Prayer Group 7 pm (S) Bible Study 7 pm (L) RCIA 7 pm (Nu)

G - Garden H - Hall L - Library N - Nazareth NU - Nursery O - Orleans S-Sanctuary

March 2020