The Supper of the Lamb

08-26-2018Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus invites us to his own supper - the Supper of the Lamb. Receiving Jesus in the Eucharistic Sacrifice is necessary for eternal life. "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you."

These are strong teachings, even shocking, as Jesus indicates today. We can understand why many abandoned Him. Notice that Jesus did not say, "Come back. I only meant it symbolically." No, he asks his closest disciples, "Do you also want to leave?"

That's the question Jesus puts in front of us today: Are we ready to receive Jesus - not just spiritually, but also physically?

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Grateful

08-19-2018Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

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.

Each and every day, I have “encountered the Living Christ” through the smile and kind greeting offered by someone after Mass or at the office. But it has been particularly in the Mass that I have witnessed God’s love offered in powerful and sacrificial ways. There are some truly beautiful people who do serve one another as “good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

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Call to Prayer

08-12-2018Pastor's Letter

Pray

May a change in the U.S. Supreme Court move our nation closer to the day when every human being is protected in law and welcomed in life. Our Father..., Hail Mary..., Glory Be...

Fast

Offer a sacrifice for the intention.

Ideas for Fasting

Often, we show our love by sacrificing, by giving something up. Sacrifice, in its various forms, out of love for the Lord Jesus is a powerful action that can yield great graces. For these reasons, the bishops of the United States have encouraged Catholics to make every Friday a day of self-denial and penitential witness in memory of the Lord’s ultimate sacrifice for us.

Among the works of self-denial that the bishops have especially commended is abstinence from meat by free choice. Self-denial can also take the form of giving something up that we most enjoy, or committing ourselves to works of charity. More recently, the bishops have invited Catholics to consider fasting and abstaining from meat on Fridays out of a special concern for issues pertaining to life, marriage, and religious liberty. This is something we can all do together. Make a personal pledge to join in this very important effort.

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St. Joan of Arc Preschool

08-05-2018Pastor's LetterFr. Don Kline, V.F.

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 and 2 ½-year-olds (must be potty trained) - 3-day program (Tues/Wed/Thurs) or 4-day
    program (Mon-Thurs) from 9:00am-12:00pm
  • Pre-K – 4 day program (Mon-Thurs) from 9:00am-1:30pm (child must be 4 by Sept 1)
  • A multi-age Friday enrichment class is available to all students on Fridays from 8:00am-12:00pm

At St. Joan of Arc Preschool, our teachers are dedicated to bringing our children closer to God. We have had a long tradition of serving the greater community by providing an excellent education for our children. We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach (https://www.reggioalliance.org) and believe that children excel when they construct their own knowledge through investigation and play. Through the countless sacrifices of so many, these little ones are introduced to the faith thereby enabling them to “Encounter the Living Christ,” as stated in our mission: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Preschool is dedicated to providing a Christ-centered foundation for life-long learners in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment. Please contact the school office for a personal tour or if you would like to enroll your child(ren) in the St. Joan of Arc Preschool. You can find out more information and view a virtual tour at the preschool link of www.stjoanofarc.com.

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