While the month of May is specifically dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, almost every month the Church celebrates a special feast day in her honor. On August 15, the Church gives us the great Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. We celebrate the fact that Mary was “assumed” or physically taken up into Heaven, not only her soul, but her human body as well. Jesus ascended into Heaven on His own power with His glorified and resurrected body and took His place “at the right hand of the Father”. As the world starts to look forward to the end of summer and the coming of another harvest season, the Church wants us to remember that at the end of Mary’s earthly life, her soul was reunited with her body, and she was taken up into Heaven with this glorified body to dwell forever in new life in the Kingdom of her Son.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We at St. Joan of Arc Preschool are making plans for the start of a new school year. Already, the classrooms are beginning to fill up with eager students ready to learn about God and the things of God. We offer a variety of classes based on the age of your child, along with a Before Care/Lunch Bunch/After Care program that extends the day from 8:00am-3:30pm for working families:

•  3 Year olds & 2 ½ year olds (must be potty trained) - 3 day program (Tues/Wed/Th) or
  4 day program (Mon-Thurs) from 9:00am-12:00pm.
• Jr. Pre K – 3 day program (Tues/Wed/Th) or 4 day program (Mon - Thurs) from 9:00am-12:00pm. Child must be 4 by 12/31.
• Pre K – 4 day program (M-Th) from 9:00am-1:30pm. Your child must be 4 by 9/1.
• A multi-age Friday Enrichment class is available to all students on Fridays from 9:00am-12:00pm.

What is Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration? Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a Parish (or some other entity) unite in making continuous adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament (in most cases, exposed) throughout the twenty-four hours of the day, seven days a week.

Is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration the only type of Eucharistic adoration apart from the Mass? No. There are several other forms. However, a most popular and grace-laden program is the full-time, permanent adoration of Our Lord exposed in a monstrance in which adorers commit themselves to at least one assigned hour each week.

Why is it necessary to have permanent exposition? People are far more appreciative of exposition and will thus be more responsible in keeping their Holy Hour with Our Lord. What more wonderful way to witness to our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament than by faithful attendance at a weekly hour of Adoration. A prayerful, silent yet quite clear profession of faith. Never forgetting the words of Our Lord when He gave His Eucharistic discourse. "Indeed, this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him, shall have eternal life. Him will I raise up on the last day." (John 6:40)

What is another good reason for establishing Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration? To provide an easy, attractive and practical way of rendering God adoration, thanksgiving, reparation and petition.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1Peter 4:11ff).

These words from Sacred Scripture were printed on a holy card and offered at my priesthood ordination over 22 years ago. Throughout this past year at St. Joan of Arc, these words have even more meaning now. There are so many good parishioners who sincerely love Our Lord and desire to share His love in powerful and humble ways. There so many kind and generous people in our community who live out their baptismal call to holiness in good times and in challenging times. I have been so blessed to witness inspiring acts of charity and selfless moments of giving especially when giving meant going without.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My family has always enjoyed the 4th of July. It is a day when we get together as a family to enjoy quality time swimming, grilling, and watching the fireworks. Typically, Americans understand this day as a day to celebrate our Independence. The freedom we celebrate as Americans was won (and is maintained) by the sacrifice of many lives. Sadly, many have misunderstood and even abused the freedom we enjoy. I believe this abuse stems from the erroneous understanding that our freedom is a total freedom; a freedom that believes that a person does not need God.