ALWAYS OPEN FOR YOU, SPIRITUALITY 365 DAYS A YEAR

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1 ALWAYS OPEN FOR YOU, SPIRITUALITY 365 DAYS A YEAR 370 SW 3rd St. Boca Raton FL Fax Msgr. Michael D. McGraw Pastor Fr. Dominic Toan-Tran Parochial Vicar Fr. Martin Dunne, III Parochial Vicar Deacon Bill Watzek Msgr. Stephen Bosso Assisting Fr. Michael Driscoll Assisting Fr. Alfredo Hernandez Assisting Fr. Joe Kuczborski Assisting Fr. Norman Schwartz Assisting Deacon Michael Zatarga Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30am to 5:30pm Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday 9:30am to 2:00pm in the Gift Shop School Office Hours Fax Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Mass Schedules Saturday Vigil: 4:30pm Sunday: 7:30am, 9:15am, 10:45am, 12:15pm,5:00pm, & 6:30pm (Spanish) Monday-Friday: 6:45am & 8:15am Saturday mornings: 8:15am Eve of Holy Days: 6:00pm Holy Days: 6:45am, 8:15am, 9:15am, & 12:15pm Holidays: Only one Mass at 9:00am Although not a Holy Day of Obligation this year, the Gospel on January 1st has one of the most beautiful verses in all Scripture: And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart (Luke 2:16). She was the closest witness to the greatest events of all time, from the Annunciation that she would become the Mother of God to the Resurrection following the Passion of her Son and everything in-between! There are two main reasons why I believe Mary kept all these things in her heart. First, she recognized there was always, more than meets the eye. Too often we do not recognize the deeper meaning of words and experiences. Seemingly bad or neutral events are dismissed even though they are actually good occasions (A gesture of tough love which brings about a life-saving conversion, or the hundreds of seemingly-unnoticed gestures of love parents give when raising their children right are just some examples). Sometimes even obviously-good events may not be as deeply appreciated as they can be and appreciation is the key to the second reason Mary chose to reflect on everything in her heart! The profound, and often joyful, memories are largely meant to sustain us through all the other moments of life. We have heard several gospels in recent days on the events surrounding the Nativity of Christ, and they likely helped Mary through all the challenges she would face over the rest of her life. Sometimes the meanings behind our memories aren t realized for years but recognizing their value for getting through the challenging moments can be priceless! Please don t hesitate in going into your reservoir of good memories, they can add great consolation and even joy to even the worst or most routine days! Yet just as important as appreciating the memories is, please remember to appreciate the people behind the good memories! If these people are no longer with us in this life, we can show our appreciation by thanking God for them and honoring their inspiring legacy by living the best way we can. If they are still with us, we can show our appreciation for them by (still) thanking God for them and taking each and every opportunity to express our appreciation to them in both words and actions! Try to surprise them in sending an unexpected note or extend some other gesture that they aren t expecting. And as long as the appreciation is genuine, don t worry about if you re overdoing it you can t! My favorite quote attributed to to St. Therese of the Little Flower is, memories are the roses in the winters of our lives. Expressing our appreciation of those God placed in our lives is an expression of our appreciation to God for all their related memories. As you celebrate the New Year, what memories, values, and people of 2017 (and before) are you called to appreciate through your acts of love into 2018 & beyond? - Father Martin Dunne, III Baptisms Every 1st & 3rd Sunday (English): 1:30pm 3rd Saturday (Spanish): 12 noon Confessions Saturday: 3:00-4:00pm Sunday: 5:50-6:20pm (Spanish & English) Confessions by appointment during office hours DECEMBER 31, 2017 YOUR CARING CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN DECEMBER DOWNTOWN 31 ST. BOCA JOAN RATON OF ARC 1

2 HOLY DAYS MASSES WHY ARE WE PARISHIONERS AT ST. JOAN OF ARC? "We joined St. Joan of Arc in 2000 (Ben a convert and Kathy a revert), drawn by the remarkable relationship with Temple Beth-El and the generosity of the Care Ministry. Attending a Koinonia Parish Retreat in 2002 we found ourselves surrounded by an incredible community of love within the broader church home. We have discovered anew the beautiful truth that our parish is not just an address where we worship, but rather the organic and incarnate body of Christ where we experience the concrete and tangible love of our Savior." - Ben & Kathy Troxell DECEMBER 31 MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 1, 2018 MONDAY - January 1 9:00am Christmas Novena TUESDAY - January 2 6:45am Christmas Novena 8:15am Dr. John Whelan by The Liguori Family Lara Kazaneiogh by Dottie Preusse & Karen Beech WEDNESDAY January 3 6:45am Christmas Novena 8:15am Eileen Gaudiosi by Jo-Ann & Lud Odierna Celia Di Bari by Jo-Ann & Lud Odierna THURSDAY January 4 6:45am St. Joan of Arc Parishioners 8:15am Oscar Minaya by Dan Dawson Tony & Terri Picinich by Family FRIDAY - January 5 6:45am St. Joan of Arc Parishioners 8:15am Sean Edward O Connor by Dad, Terry & Tabitha Franco Bellarosa by The Family SATURDAY - January 6 8:15am Perpetual Mass 4:30pm Kay Houghton by Kevin Kramer Jerry Coldiron Jr. by Ralph and Eva Roth SUNDAY - January 7 7:30am Guillermo Chiaway by The Family Ron & Janet Sheldon & Family by Martha & Tony Nicoli 9:15am Theresa Santelly by Angelina Selva Felicita Sanchez by Carmen Mierzwa 10:45am Daniel Hegarty by Mom Penny Petrillo by The Higgins Family 12:15pm Connie& George Lambelli by The Family Louis, Lilian & Edward Scarpetti by Donna Rizzo 5:00pm Millie Neppl & her Family by BSA Scout Troop 325 David Bowen by The Bush Family 6:30pm Tony & Terry Picinich by The Family Jorge Larguia by His daughter BULLETIN EDITOR: PATTY DELANEY Please Bulletin material to: delaney_patty@stjoan.org *We reserve the right to edit and publish such materials at our discretion. 2 ST. JOAN OF ARC DECEMBER 31

3 PASTOR S MESSAGE The beginning of a New Year lends itself to good intentions and changes. Almost all of us use this first week of the year as a time to take a look at our lives with the purpose of improvement. If we judge from television commercial time, we are especially preoccupied with exercise and dieting. It is as if we are all supposed to re-make ourselves into athletes and models--also younger versions of ourselves. While for many of us exercise and nutrition may well be a great place to start, I would like to suggest that as people of faith we begin by counting the blessings of the year just passed. No matter how hard of year 2017 was (and it really was a tough year for many: hurricanes, floods, wildfires, terrorism etc.), I would still recommend a little time spent quietly looking backward and rediscovering the presence of God and God's providential love. Memory is a marvelous gift and it allows us to re-visit the past as if going to a well of refreshment. Paying attention with reverence and patience to both the challenges and to the life enriching people and moments of 2017 inevitably leads us to discover totally gratuitous acts of love and generosity. Faces, words, gestures, times and places bring the blessings of the past into the present. Remember all of the heroes who risked their lives to save others. Prayerful reflection sets the stage for our growth, too. We profit from the example of others and find in their good habits inspiration for our own future journeying. There is much truth in the proverb that "those who are ignorant of the past are fated to repeat it". Our experiences in this world, prayerfully reflected upon, provide reason for gratefulness, hope and enthusiastic direction for the future. For Christians, at the heart of our New Year remembering is the memory of the Birth of the Lord Jesus and all that the event has meant for human history. We are truly blessed through Emmanuel, God with us. The hidden meaning of human history and of our own lives is illuminated by the Light of Christ. If there ever were really "Light in the Midst of Darkness", the Nativity is it. The New Year, thus, affords us unlimited opportunities for remembering blessings and making positive changes that will make our families and our world better. It could well be that if we are fitter, healthier and more active; we will all become more the cause of new blessings, new hope and new light for the parts of the world still languishing in darkness and despair. So let's start those crunches, record those calories and count those blessings. What better way to begin 2018? COUNTING THE CRUNCHES, CALORIES, AND BLESSINGS AS 2018 DAWNS - Msgr. Michael D. McGraw DECEMBER 31 ST. JOAN OF ARC 3

4 WEEKLY TREASURE The Weekly Offertory Collection for December 23/24 totaled $12,897. Christmas Mass totaled $62,271. (that includes $10,268 for Christmas Gift to Savior) PARISH DIRECTORY ANNULMENTS Deacon Bill Watzek by appointment only BAPTISMAL ARRANGEMENTS (English) Baptism class for parents 1st Thurs. each month, 7pm Andrea Lewin (Spanish) Baptism class for parents 3rd Tues. each month, 7pm CARE MINISTRY CATHOLIC CHARITIES COUNSELING CENTER Maria T. Isava MA, LCSW COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Patty Delaney, DEVELOPMENT & STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR Wendy Horton, Special Projects: Diane Salerno HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTER Valerie Bryant, HOMEBOUND/PASTORAL VISITATION DIRECTOR Fr. Martin Dunne III, MARRIAGE MINISTRY DIRECTOR Rosario Gonzales, Months notice required for marriages LITURGICAL MUSIC & CHOIR DIRECTOR Douglas Byers, PARISH FINANCE MANAGER Jodi Panzeri, PARISH ACTIVITIES & HISPANIC MINISTRIES DIRECTOR Andrea Lewin lewin_andrea@stjoan.org PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY DIRECTOR Deacon Bill Watzek, PARISH WORSHIP & SPIRITUALITY COMMITTEE Fr. Dominic Toan-Tran, Chairperson PHYSICAL PLANT DIRECTOR Paul Miceli, RELIGIOUS GIFT SHOP Laura Watzek, Hours: Mon. - Wed. 7:30am to 4:30pm Closed Thursdays Fri. 7:30am to 3:30pm Sat. 9am to 5:30pm Sun. 9am to 1:30pm SACRAMENTS Anointing of the Sick and Elderly: First Saturday of the month following the 8:15am Mass. Please call the Parish Office to request a priest if you are a patient at Boca Regional Hospital. SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Mrs. Caroline Roberts, ASSISTANT SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Miss Lani Hiponia, SISTERS OF MERCY Sr. Josephine USHERS MINISTRY Javier Palomo, YOUTH & ADULT FAITH FORMATION DIRECTOR Rosa Davidson, Administrative Assistant Ailen Ponce, THE ST. JOAN OF ARC SCHOOL GAZETTE If you would like to be included in SJA s School Quarterly Newsletter, The SJA Gazette mailings, please us your name and address at info_school@stjoan.org or call the School Office with your contact information at (561) Thank you. 4 ST. JOAN OF ARC DECEMBER 31

5 FROM THE SJA PARISH DEVELOPMENT & STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR A NEW YEAR AND NEW BEGINNINGS Making New Year s resolutions in an effort to make a fresh start, a new beginning, is an age old tradition. Common New Year's resolutions are losing weight, exercising more and adopting healthy eating habits; or spending more time with family. Still others include improving money management and being more organized. Although there is nothing in the Bible about New Year's resolutions, many good stewards take advantage of this time of year to become closer to the Lord. They may take this time to re-commit themselves to praying more, to reading the Bible, or to attending Mass more regularly. If you are looking for some ideas to assist in your New Year's resolutions, here are a few to get you started: PRACTICE GRATITUDE Every day, express thankfulness to the Lord and to others. Seeing the good in your life will allow you to keep your heart compassionate and loving. ENCOUNTER THE LORD EACH DAY Find time to be with the Lord each day, whether it be for an hour or ten minutes. This practice opens your eyes and ears to the presence of Christ in your life. BE PRESENT TO OTHERS In our daily lives there is much to experience and it is a blessing to be able to share both the good and the bad times with others. The gift of your presence is much more valuable than you realize. RESIST OVERWORK In today s society there is a pressure to produce, meet goals, and be successful. Be mindful that life requires balance, down time, and letting go of unrealistic goals. NURTURE FRIENDSHIPS Our friends are those we choose to be with, those with whom we spend our evenings, with whom we vacation, to whom we go to for advice. Friends are gifts from God who give us a greater appreciation of God's love for us. Friends need our time and love. GIVE MORE Good stewards realize that everything they have is entrusted to them as gift to be shared. Consider what you are giving to your parish and local diocese and commit to an increased contribution as your circumstances allow. MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR PARISH COMMUNITY Believe it or not, your parish community can use your talents. Offering your talents to your faith community is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others, and it is a potentially life-changing New Year's resolution. CONSIDER LIVING MORE SIMPLY We cannot find fulfillment in possessions and they add nothing to our self-worth. Jesus blessed the "poor in spirit" in his Sermon on the Mount; and Saint Francis of Assisi urged us to live with only what was necessary, for that is how we begin to find God. GET HEALTHY Be a good steward of your body. Plan an overhaul of your diet and exercise habits. DON'T GIVE UP - Don t give up on your New Year s resolutions due to unrealistic expectations, be kind to yourself, keep trying and resist the urge to quit. You will succeed through small, manageable changes over time. TURN TO THE LORD Ask the Lord for guidance, strength and perseverance in achieving your resolutions. In his letter to the Phillipians, Saint Paul writes: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13). If God is the center of our New Year's resolutions, they have a better chance for success. Wendy Horton SJA Parish Development & Stewardship Director DECEMBER 31 ST. JOAN OF ARC 5

6 HOLIDAY FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY CHRISTMAS DINNER OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, January 30, :30 a.m :30 a.m. RSVP at or call SJA GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER CHAMPIONS 2017 SJA BOYS BASEBALL CHAMPIONS 2017 SJA GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS 2017 SJA GIRLS SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS 6 ST. JOAN OF ARC DECEMBER 31

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10 YOUTH & ADULT FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY ROSA DAVIDSON, Youth & Adult Faith Formation Director AILEN PONCE, Administrative Assistant RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE HOURS MONDAYS THURSDAYS: 9:00am 5:00pm WEDNESDAYS: 9:00am 6:30pm (When there is no class on Wed. Office will close at 5pm) FRIDAYS: 9:00am 12:00 noon SATURDAYS: CLOSED SUNDAYS: 8:30am 12:00 noon (Office will close during 10:45 a.m. Mass. When there is no class on Sunday, office will be closed.) PRE-BAPTISMAL PREPARATION SCHEDULE Classes are given on the 1 st Thursday of every month. Please call the main office to register before attending. Classes are in Conference Room A from 7:00pm - 8:30pm. (Please note date changes for Jan. 11.) 2017 Jan. 11 Feb. 1 Mar. 1 Religious Education is in immediate need of two Catechists for January, one for a Sunday class and one for a Wednesday class. After Christmas break, the first day of Sunday classes is January 14th and the first day of Wednesday classes is January 10th. All volunteers must attend Virtus training (Protecting God s Children), pass a fingerprints background check, and sign the diocesan Code of Conduct. Baptism Ministry is looking for facilitators to teach the Pre-Baptismal class one Thursday a month. Facilitators will be trained. All class materials and setup are provided. If you have a faith-filled heart willing to share your love of God and His Church with the children, please call the Religious Ed office (561) Thank you! FIRST COMMUNION 2018 First Reconciliation Parent Meeting: Mandatory for First Communion Parents Monday, February 5th at 7:00PM in the Church First Reconciliation Service: February 24th at 10:00AM in the Church SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY The Sunday Bible Study will start the Study of Genesis on Sunday, January 14th, 2018 at 9:15am in Conference Room B. Perfect time for parents of Sunday Religious Ed children! All are welcome. Come and see! WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY Study the Bible Time Line: the Story of Salvation by Jeff Cavins in the Kilby House at 5:00 PM. Perfect time for parents of Wednesday Religious Ed children! All are welcome. Come and see! Estudie la Historia de la Salvación los Miércoles a las 5:00 PM en la Casa Kilby. Perfecto para los padres mientras esperan a sus hijos que están en clase de Catecismo los miércoles. Los videos tienen subtítulos en español y las facilitadoras del estudio son de habla hispana. Todos están bienvenidos! SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION The School of Christian Formation course on Spirituality begins on January 9th, Course dates are: January 9th, 16th, 23th, 30th, February 6th and 13th. All are welcome. Come and see! RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASS SCHEDULE SUNDAYS: 9:15am 10:30am Dec. 24 Jan. 7 NO CLASSES CHRISTMAS BREAK Jan Classes Jan. 21 Classes K, 1A attend 9:15 AM Mass Jan. 28 classes 2A attends 9:15 AM Mass WEDNESDAYS: 5:00pm 6:15pm Dec. 20 Jan. 3 NO CLASSES CHRISTMAS BREAK Jan. 10 Classes Jan. 17 Classes Jan. 24 Classes Jan. 31 Classes HOME SCHOOL: One Tuesday a month 5:15pm 6:30pm Jan. 16 Class SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONFIRMATION 2018 CANDIDATES: STUFFING ENVELOPES WITH PENCILS FOR THE DIOCESAN SERVICE (BISHOP S) APPEAL. Second week in January. Please contact Laura Watzek directly at watzek_laura@stjoan.org APRIL 28TH, 2018 Feeding Children Everywhere food packing event. Registration information and sign-up will begin early ST. JOAN OF ARC DECEMBER 31

11 after drop-off to meet with your fellow SJA parents? IS FOR YOU! Meet Friday, January 12 after drop-off anytime between 7:30am and 9:00am at the SJA Gazebo/Cafeteria and enjoy coffee and pastries while you see your friends and make new ones. Don t miss this fun morning! NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR COUPLES What can you do for your Marriage in 2018? Try making a New Year's resolution to improve your relationship. Here are some ideas to get you started: "Adopt" a patron saint for the coming year to intercede for you and your family. Throughout the year, read a biography about him or her, attend Mass together on the saint's feast day, and find litanies, novenas and other prayers to pray together. Make a "spiritual New Year's resolution" together. Choose one thing, such as First Friday Adoration, to do through this year as a family. Take turns selecting a favorite Scripture passage to pray about each week. Share your reflections with each other. If you don't already eat diner together as a family, try to commit to one night (or more) each week to eat together. Draw up your 2018 household budget together. Discuss spending priorities, including charitable donations. Set up a prayer intention board in a common space in your home, Pray together each night for one another's intentions Start saving up for a vacation later in the year, or even a "staycation." Start planning now to take time off of work to devote to your family. It need not be extravagant to foster quality time and relaxation. Is there anything that is causing strain in your marriage? Lack of communication, long job hours, technology dependence, unforgiven hurts? Take time in the new year to make concrete steps toward reconciliation and growth. Resolve to do a weekly act of love or service for your spouse a hidden sacrifice, a little surprise, an unprompted chore or errand. Schedule several "date nights" for each month of the year. Resolve to do at least one service activity this year, as a family or a couple. Perhaps it's bringing canned goods to the local food pantry on a regular basis or helping our with a parish fundraising project. While it's important to strengthen the marriage relationship, marriage is also a sacrament of service. It's true that marriage benefits the couple, but it's also good for the entire family, the whole community and the church Originally published in FAITH magazine, December 2017 DECEMBER 31 ST. JOAN OF ARC 11

12 BRINGING HOME THE WORD DECEMBER 31, 2017 HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH LOVE, PATIENCE, FORGIVENESS, GRATITUDE By Mary Katharine Deeley When we were married, my husband and I gradually grew in our relationship. Four of the characteristics St. Paul mentions in today s reading from Colossians were particularly helpful for us: patience, forgiveness, love, and gratitude. They helped us overcome the challenges of building a life together, and each of our children gave us ample opportunity to practice them over and over again. By God s grace and with hard work, we ve been together more than thirty years. Sometimes I think, How did we do it? We did it together, and we did it with God, and I m so grateful for my husband and for two wonderful daughters who come back home at Christmas and call just to say hello. So it makes sense that we dedicate one Sunday to the Holy Family. We don t know a lot about Jesus childhood, but today s Gospel tells us that, as unusual as the circumstances were, Mary and Joseph worked with each other and with God to do the right thing for Jesus. They followed the prescribed law, they listened carefully to the prophecies and rejoicing of Anna and Simeon, and they raised God s Son to adulthood when he showed the world who he was. Even after that, Mary was with him, loving and grieving for him even at the end. What parent would have done less? The Holy Family undoubtedly practiced love, patience, forgiveness, and gratitude with one another, even as the Lord taught us to do. We honor them by doing the same. SUNDAY READINGS Sirach 3:2 6, or Genesis 15:1 6; 21:1 3 My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Colossians 3:12 21, Colossians 3:12 17, or Hebrews 11:8, 11 12, In word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Lk 2:22 40 or Lk 2:22, The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. of the Lord Jesus. HONORING OUR PARENTS 12 ST. JOAN OF ARC DECEMBER 31 Lord, Mary and Joseph helped you to grow in love and wisdom. Surround me with loving and caring people to help me to be a wise, loving, and caring person. From Joyful Meditations for Every Day of Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas, Rev. Warren J. Savage and Mary Ann McSweeny By Kathy Coffey Honor your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12). hat nugget of wisdom does the Fourth Commandment teach But how do average Christians react to this news? Does understanding God s mercy comfort or offend us? Today some parents and children are estranged; others wish their parents were alive to honor them. But the following story shows how delightfully some children still honor their parents. Jan celebrated her sixtieth birthday with friends, far from her children living in five different states. No gifts, she had told her kids. All I need are memories of you. Then the postal service delivered a special box. Within it were sixty slips of paper on which Jan s children had written sixty special memories. She read and cherished each one, mixing laughter and tears. Why honor our parents? In the world of the Bible and in good homes today, parents provide images of trust, hope, and serenity that enable the young to face formidable obstacles. To their children they convey the message, spoken or unspoken, You are loved. You are wonderful. All humans are constantly making the passage from the known to the unknown. Parents who have endured disappointment, even tragedy, can help their offspring travel that passage with dignity. We ve made mistakes, they say. We ve lost jobs, health, or our dearest loves. But it didn t kill us. Something in people endures, continues to trust, and moves forward in confidence. RELATED ROLES Furthermore, parents are memory keepers. When their children hit snags, they remind them what glorious people they are. And if humor, perspective, or care packages from home can lighten the load, they contribute those, too. The wisest parents honor their children in turn. They count on their children s good sense to pilot them through difficulties, so they restrain the free advice. They clarify the boundaries of their role: providing safe harbors, but holding the ropes loosely. They encourage children to explore God s beautiful world, not burdening them with unnecessary anxiety. They recognize the arenas where the young have more expertise, inviting them to shine there. Many parents struggle with handing on their faith to a generation that seems unenthusiastic at best. There, too, honor comes in. Realizing that the gift of faith, no matter how important, cannot be coerced or controlled, parents can follow the advice of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Agonizing over her sons shenanigans, she once said, What s a mother to do but pray and dote, pray and dote? If the roles of parent and child seem too idealized, we need only look to Jesus and his mother for role models. (Unfortunately, Scripture records little of Jesus relationship with Joseph.) LEARNING FROM JESUS AND MARY The wedding at Cana provides the perfect example of their honoring each other. Mary wisely tells Jesus of the need: They have no wine. Then she backs off. She trusts his instincts to resolve the crisis. Despite his reservations ( My hour has not yet come ), Jesus in turn honors his mother. Whether he was responding to her, or to the couple s dire need, we may never know. Despite the exhaustion and pain of his passion, Jesus continues to honor Mary, making sure even from the cross that his beloved disciple would continue to care for her (John 19:26-27). In Jesus day, women with no son or husband for protection often became desperate beggars. Knowing that sad reality, Jesus makes sure that John will take her into his own home. St. Ignatius imagined that the first appearance of Jesus after the Resurrection, although not recorded in Scripture, must surely have been to Mary. As parents and children who follow Jesus, we are called to do likewise Liguori Publications, One Liguori Drive, Liguori, MO Scripture quotations in this publication are from New American Bible, revised edition, 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC. Pope Francis quotation is used with permission and copyright 2017 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. All rights reserved Liguori.org.

13 WEEKDAY READINGS January 1 6 Mon. Solemnity of Mary: Nm 6:22 27 / Gal 4:4 7 / Lk 2:16 21 Tue. Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen: 1 Jn 2:22 28 / Jn 1:19 28 Wed. Christmas Weekday: 1 Jn 2:29 3:6 / Jn 1:29 34 Thurs. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: 1 Jn 3:7 10 / Jn 1:35 42 Fri. St. John Neumann: 1 Jn 3:11 21 / Jn 1:43 51 Sat. Christmas Weekday: 1 Jn 5:5 13 / Mk 1:7 11 or Lk 3:23 38 or Lk 3:23, 31 34, 36, 38 A WORD FROM POPE FRANCIS It is necessary to reaffirm the conviction that every family is the principal setting for the growth of each individual, since it is through the family that human beings become open to life and the natural need for relationships with others. Over and over again we see that family bonds are essential for the stability of relationships in society, for the work of education, and for integral human development, for they are inspired by love, responsible intergenerational solidarity and mutual trust. - Address, Food and Agricultural Organization June 20, 2013 Does my family know how to encounter trying times gracefully? What attitudes or actions allowed the Holy Family to have peace amidst the crosses? A Journey of the Paschal Mystery PARISH RETREAT 2018 February 16, 17, 18 This is a spiritually uplifting weekend experience that takes place right here in our parish, while you go home to sleep in the comfort of your own home. Register Now in the parish offi ce Contact Tim De Palma at or Andrea Lewin at for more information. DECEMBER 31 ST. JOAN OF ARC 13

14 PRAY FOR THE SICK Adler, Michael Ambach, Maria Elena Anasaii, Violet Arcau, Georgina Agustynowicz, Rita Babione, Helen Babione Jr., Robert Baker, Jimmy Barros, Ethel Benicy, Alexander Bitondo, Carmela Blanz, Margie Bobbitt, Joann Bradley, Earl Brown, Cheryl Buffone, Peter Byers, Douglas Carrera, Abelardo Cepeda, Rafael Clark, Joanna Clark, Shenita Cluster, Michael Cooke, John Costello, Jerry A. Cullen, Debra Ann Enck Cussen, Myrna Cwal, Paul Darbyshire, Brenda De Chard, Christine de Varona, Jorge Deitz, Eileen Des Vignes, Caren Dlugos, Donald Doria, Angela Doyle, Arthalie DuBois, Raymond Dunn, Morgan Durand, Raul Salazar Enck, Mary Farrell, Amanda Fetter, Mary Fischer, Bill Fisher, Grace Flores, Victoria G., Debbie Gardner, Marie Geraci, Frank Gerlach, Marlene Gildharry, Nelly Gesner, Carmela Giguere, Gerald Gonsalves, Pat Gould-Peck, Patrica Grasso, Vincent Harris, Cameron Hines, Billy Hines, Rita Hollerbach, Nancy Iemolo, Angelica Jannotta, Carol Kelleher, Anthony James Koss, Jeff Largia, Elda Laudato, Frances Layer, Robert Liu, Wendy Loesch, Dolores Lopez, Carlos Lucido, Matthew Mancini, Teresa Margolis, Robert Martinez, Eridania Altagracia Marullo, Phyllis Mealo, Patsy Midgley, John H. Miret, Emilio Mochler, Marie Monte-Blaschitz, Michelle Moore, Jeff Morgan, Todd Morrow, Marjorie Murphy, Sr. Immaculata Niro, Michael Norzius, Odney Peloso, Margaret Perkowski, Fran Petho, Ellen Picinich, Antonio Pomales, Ray Hernandez Power, Theresia Quachi, Mr. & Mrs. Robert, Barbara Saffran, Dorothy Segler, Charly Seller, Peter Sheltry, Paul Smith, Sarah Spera, Dan St. Germaine, Robert A. Stone, Fran Taylor, London Terwillger, Maureen Thomas, Colleen Siebenahler Tobin, Son Hwa Tolly, Morris Valdez, Pilar Varacchi, Deborah Vetto, Robert Vicari, Laura Waddick, Wyatt Zabarowski, Barbara Zatarga, Pat BLESSED ARE THEY WHO MOURN FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED... St. Joan offers a range of grief support programs and services: Structured programs include Harvesting Our Tears (8 weekly meetings) and Joyful Again! (Sat/Sun in Nov.) Quarterly Grief Support Suppers where all are welcome. Request an informal conversation with members of the parish who are willing to listen and can share their own experiences of dealing with grief. For more information call the Parish Office: or Marjorie O'Sullivan Would you like to donate flowers to decorate the altar on the weekend masses? If you would like to donate flowers to decorate our altar, please call Patty Delaney, (561) or her at delaney_patty@stjoan.org (Flowers can be donated in memory of a loved one, birthdays or for any special occasion.) OVERSEAS IN THE US ARMED FORCES: Staff. Sgt. Douglas, PVT 1st Class Brendan Nestor, Sgt. Maj. John Hermeling, Capt. Christopher Allen & PFC Lee E. Palmer, David Schuler, Lance Corp., Lt. Ryan Appleman & his wife, Lt. Christine Appleman ALTAR BREAD Do you want a special remembrance for a loved one, living or deceased? YOU CAN DONATE ALTAR BREAD FOR A WEEK OF MASSES by calling The Parish Office at TO LEAVE A LEGACY FOR ST. JOAN OF ARC STEP 1 Gather your information about your assets, including retirement funds, bank accounts and real property. STEP 2 Choose the type of bequest you d like to make. 1. Unrestricted bequest. This is a donation to be used for St. Joan of Arc general funds. This donation would be used where it is most needed. 2. Restricted bequest. This donation specifies how the money is to be used. (This could be restricted to go into the endowment, a specific ministry, or the building fund.) A bequest can be made in a number of ways: A specific dollar amount. Specific assets, such as securities, real estate, or tangible property. Retirement account assets, consisting of any benefits remaining in your retirement plan. A residuary bequest, St. Joan of Arc receives all or a percentage of your estate after all other obligations are met. An existing will or trust can be easily amended to include a gift to St. Joan of Arc without rewriting the entire document. Your attorney can prepare a simple document, called a codicil, which adds a new bequest while reaffirming the terms of your will. Similarly, an attorney can prepare an amendment to a revocable trust to add St. Joan of Arc. STEP 3 Meet with your estate planning attorney. If you need to create a will or just update your existing document, you ll want to get advice from your estate planning attorney. An attorney can advise you as to the best way to structure your will in order to take care of your loved ones first and then your charitable interests while assuring the best tax benefits. As a charitable, not-for-profit all bequests to St. Joan of Arc are fully deductible for estate tax purposes. STEP 4 Contact us. We acknowledge and welcome donors into our Arc Angel Society. Members are invited to special member events and receive special mailings. (We also recognize and respect the wishes of anyone that wishes to remain anonymous.) Please contact Wendy Horton in the Development Office at (561) or horton_wendy@stjoan.org. 14 ST. JOAN OF ARC DECEMBER 31

15 Padre Oscar Alonso, Sch.P. Padre José Crucet Padre Alfredo Hernández ANDREA LEWIN Directora del Ministerio Hispano y de Actividades de la Parroquia lewin_andrea@stjoan.org Misa en español todos los Domingos a las 6:30pm. Confesiones todos los Domingos a las 5:50pm en la capilla. LA SAGRADA FAMILIA DE JESUS, MARIA Y JOSÉ DOS CELEBRACIONES Hoy tenemos dos celebraciones. Según el calendario liturgico celebramos la fiesta de la Sagrada Familia y según el calendario civil festejamos la vispera de Año Nuevo. Nos cuenta el evangelio que una vez que la Virgen Maria cumplió con el rito de la purificación después del parto, como lo prescribia la Ley Judia, fué con San José y el Niño Jesús al templo de Jerusalen a presentar al Niño y a consagrarlo al Señor. La Iglesia instituyó esta fiesta, que hace parte de la temporada de Navidad, con el fin de llamar nuestra atención hacia ese tesoro, muchas veces no reconocido, que es la familia. Es pues la Sagrada Familia, modelo para la sociedad moderna. Las familias son las celulas que forman la sociedad. Familias sanas forman una sociedad sana, familias enfermas forman una sociedad enferma. Una familia sana brota de un noviazgo sano. El objetivo del noviazgo cristiano es el conocimiento mutuo desde el punto de vista espiritual y cultural, a fin de determinar si hay compatibilidad para vivir un matrimonio estable, para toda la vida. No es el tiempo para hacer avances sexuales que en ese momento estan fuera de lugar.un noviazgo sano es el cimiento de un matrimonio sano, que a su vez es la base solida de una familia sana. La familia es la gran escuela de la vida. Es la institucion donde se aprenden valores espirituales y morales que van a ser decisivos para tener exito en la vida. En la familia se nos evangeliza, alli se nos habla por primera de vez de Jesus. En su seno somos bautizados, o sea alcanzamos la dignidad de hijos de Dios. Alli aprendemos a orar, a obedecer la Ley de Dios, a perdonar, a compartir, a socializar. En una palabra recibimos las bases para que la catequesis y la escuela puedan trabajar. Recordemos que los niños aprenden no tanto de lo que se les dice, sino de lo que ven hacer, de ahi la importancia de los padres y mayores de dar buen ejemplo. Siendo Jesús el modelo a seguir El debe ser nuestro invitado permanente en la familia a través del estudio y puesta en práctica de los evangelios. El maligno es el gran enemigo de la famila. Las armas que usa son las drogas, el alcohol, el sexo desordenado, lo cual desemboca en el aborto, el crimen, el divorcio etc. Pero tenemos alguien mas poderoso que Satan: Jesús. Y nuestra arma mas potente:la oración. Familia que reza unida, permanence unida. Saquemos cada dia siquiera diez minutos y oremos en familia. Asi garantizamos el exito de nuestra familia. Ojalá que dentro de las resoluciones del Nuevo Ano figure dedicarle mas tiempo a la familia, vale la pena, es un tesoro invaluable. Feliz Ano Nuevo Diacono Edgar Caceres DECEMBER 31 ST. JOAN OF ARC 15

16 ACTIVIDADES EN ESPAÑOL Rosario por las Intenciones del Ministerio Hispano de Santa Juana de Arco todos los Lunes a las 7:30pm en la Capilla. C lases de la Biblia con el Padre Oscar Alonso todos los Martes en la Casa Kilby a las 7:00pm. Se reinician el Martes 23 de Enero. Rosario por la vocaciones sacerdotales todos los M iércoles a las 7pm en la Capilla. Grupo de Oración todos los Jueves a las 7:00pm en la Casa Kilby. Taller de Oración Padre Larrañaga (Duración de 15 semanas) Interesados para taller del 2018 contactar a Andrea Lewin MINISTROS EXTRAORDINARIOS DE LA EUCARISTÍA MINISTROS DE LA PALABRA El domingo 14 de enero después de la Misa de las 10:45am estamos invitados a participar en la Fiesta de Bienvenida en Mercy Center. Habra helados y dulces, y tendremos la oportunidad de conocer nuestros ministerios y actividades para incorporarnos como voluntarios en alguno de los ministerios para seguir creciendo espiritualmente a través del Servicio al Señor en nuestra parroquia CALENDARIO DE ACTIVIDADES Y FIESTAS DOMINGO 14 DE ENERO después de la Misa de las 10:45am Fiesta e Bienvenida "Ice Cream Party" y oportunidad para conocer nuestros ministerios y grupos. Y Con la oportunidad para ser voluntario y seguir creciendo espiritualmente a través del SERVICIO al Señor en nuestra parroquia. MARTES 16 ENERO en la Casa Kilby a las 7:00pm. Clases Pre-Bautismales los terceros martes de cada mes. VIERNES 19 DE ENERO en el Arena de 6:30pm a las 8:00pm. EDGE SOCIAL invitámos a los estudiantes de Santa Juana de Arco del colegio y catequésis de 6to, 7to y 8vo grado a compartir en la fiesta social del mes de Noviembre. Trae a tus amigos! BAUTIZOS EN ESPAÑOL SON LOS ÚLTIMOS DOMINGOS DE CADA MES: DOMINGO 2 8 DE ENERO DE 2018 a la 1 :30 pm. CUERPO DE CRISTO Rebeca Vera - 1 Nora Fasce - 2 Nelcy Sua - 3 BUSCAMOS VOLUNTARIOS PARA: Rachel Licciardino Helio Madrigal Invitamos a todos los NIÑOS QUE HAYAN hecho su Primera Comunión a ser parte de nuestro GRUPO DE MONAGUILLOS (Altar Servers)Los interesados contactar a Andrea Lewin al teléfono Invitamos a participar en nuestro GRUPO DE UJIERES para dar la bienvenida a nuestra comunidad asistente a la Santa Misa y ayudar con la colecta de la ofrenda (Ushers). Y si ya formas parte de este prestigioso grupo de voluntarios te invitamos a considerar ser su LÍDER. Para alabar al Señor te esperamos para participar en nuestro Coro. Los interesados contactar a Andrea Lewin al teléfono Si te gustan los niños te necesitamos para enseñar a nuestros "Pequeños Discípulos" en la Capilla la palabra del Señor, mientras sus padres participan de la Santa Misa. Los interesados contactar a Andrea Lewin al teléfono Ministerio Extraordinario de la Comunión y Grupo de Oración : Fernando Cordova Proclamadores de la Palabra Monaguillos para la santa Misa: Rosis Suarez Si estás interesado en ser voluntario y en ser parte del grupo de Ujieres contactar a Andrea Lewin ST. JOAN OF ARC DECEMBER 31