Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Much ink has been spilled in recent days about the founding fathers of our country. Today's readings present the real Founding Father… Our Heavenly Father… God. Moreover, the readings answer the question of God's existence, the divinity of Jesus and the divine authority of the Church. The first question of God’s existence is a question that I am sure every serious philosopher, theologian, and grandmother must address. Does God exist? Today's Scripture readings answer the question of God’s existence. St. Paul proclaims: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are His judgments and how unsearchable His ways!"

St. Paul knows that God is far beyond human reason but St. Paul and countless other holy men and women throughout history have shown us that it is reasonable to believe in God. In fact, St. Paul argues that it is unreasonable to deny God's existence: those who deny God’s existence have blurred reality with fantasy. You can read Paul's argument for yourself in Romans. That being said, faith AND reason go together. Actually, faith perfects reason and leads us to a more complete and holy life. Pray that your faith may be strengthened so that you can grow in your love for God who is love.

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October 13, 2017 is the closing of the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. Our parish will be marking this historic event by offering the Rosary after the Monday 6:00pm Mass from now on. All are invited to bring your family to pray the rosary at 6:30pm every Monday beginning in September. We will also begin First Friday Devotions with Adoration beginning immediately after the 8:30am Mass until Benediction which will be at 6:00pm. This will happen every First Friday of the month beginning September 1, 2017.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

St. Joan of Arc is blessed to have a variety of speakers and missionaries visit our parish throughout the year. During our last parish mission, Fr. Zachary spoke so beautifully about five important “rules” that can be a part of our lives every day of our life. I wanted to offer them to you once again in case you were not able to make the mission this year.

[1]The first rule begins when we rise from bed. First thing in the morning say: "This is the first and greatest of all the commandments, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, and with your whole mind, and with all your strength’ and the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Next, say the morning offering: "O Jesus, in union with your Most Precious Blood, poured out on the cross and offered in every Mass, I offer you today my prayers, works, joys, sorrows, and sufferings for the praise of Your Holy Name and all the desires of Your Sacred Heart; in reparation for sin, for the conversion, of sinners, the union of all Christians and our final union with You in heaven."

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Our Lady told the shepherd children at Fatima that at her last visit with them, all people there would witness a miracle which would prove that her apparitions were true. On October 13, 1917, despite a heavy downpour of rain, an estimated 70,000 people flocked to the field near Fatima to witness this amazing "Miracle of the Sun", and they were not disappointed. They saw the sun make several whirling circles and move around in the sky, and at one point, the sun grew larger, and it appeared that the sun would come crashing down to earth. When the sun returned to its normal place in the heavens, the Lady proved just how much she loves and cares for her children - everyone and everything was dry!

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