There seems to be a genre of cartoons these days which depicts God looking from the clouds, or a hand coming from the sky with the punchline, “Don’t make me come down there! “It is usually referring to the latest atrocity or scandal being performed-in God’s name, mind you- by one of his ‘lieutenants.’

It is a mystery to me why people who consider God all powerful do so much violence, sup-posedly protecting this all powerful being. Can’t God take care of himself so we don’t have to waste time exterminating all the supposed enemies?

Take, for example, the Muslims are now hunting each other, with each sect of the Muslim world proclaiming they are the true believers and followers of Mohammed and Allah. It seems that they are doing a good job of destroying each other, but should they find themselves in need of some pointers or help, all they need to do is to take a look at our own Christian history which is full of good examples.

The Roman Catholics went after the Jews, heretics and the Orthodox . The Orthodox re-turned the favor. For over 300 years the Christians hunted down Muslims in the Crusades and in turn the Muslims returned the favor. Lutherans and Anglicans hunted Roman Catho-lics, burning them at the stake while once again, the Catholics returned the favor. United in their hatred, they all burned the Baptists…who didn’t return the favor. In the last couple of centuries, Christians and Muslims alike have exhausted themselves killing each other. In today’s world that vitriol continues, assisted primarily by the spewing of hatred through radio and television.

Take a look at the first lines of today’s Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples:

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!

Is Jesus saying all this religious violence a good thing? Is this what he hoped for? He certain-ly knew humanity and although he didn’t wish for violence, he knew well that when you pose ultimate questions about life people will react with extreme action. In his own life, challenging authority meant death. Mixing extremism with ego and religion creates way too many petty gods, all trying to outlive the other.

“Don’t make me come down there…….again!

And now for something completely different. The Facilities Committee is looking for any pic-tures you might have of the interior of the Church from the Farrell days, especially of the altar area. If you have pictures of weddings, first communions, funerals , baptisms or the like, we would greatly appreciate it if you could you make copies or scan them and either bring them to the office or email them to Fr. Jim DeBruycker at jdebruycker@stjoan.com. Thanks.

Presider: Fr. Jim DeBruycker

We welcome Tim Roehl, a member of our St. Joan of Arc music family and soloist with the SJA choir to inspire our worship with two songs today. Thank you for your gift of song!

The Sunday Morning Registration and Information Office is located in the Parish Center. In the office you may register to become a SJA parishioner, get program information, sign up for a program, and register to volunteer. The office is open after both of our Sunday morning liturgies.

Parking: Be considerate of our neigh-bors and their property. Please don’t block driveways or park in their on-street handicapped areas. Thank you!

Sun, Aug. 14: 1 Chronicles 15:3-4,15-16,16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57; Luke 11:27-28 Mon, Aug. 15: Revelations 11:19a;12:1-6a,10ab; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56 Tue, Aug. 16: Ezekiel 28:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30 Wed, Aug. 17: Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16 Thu, Aug. 18: Ezekiel 36:23-28; Matthew 22:1-14 Fri, Aug. 19: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 22:34-40 Sat, Aug. 20: Ezekiel 43:1-7ab; Matthew 23:1-12 Sun, Aug. 21: Isaiah 66:18-21; Heb 12:5-7,11-13; Luke 13:22-30

Tuesday and Thursday morning 8 am Mass is celebrated in the Church with Fr. DeBruycker.

FFI check the bulletin, the SJA website or call the Parish Center. The Upper Room is located in the Parish Center; Hospitality Hall, in the Church basement, the Arc, across the street, 4457 3rd Ave.

Tuesday, August 16

8 am Mass in the Church

5 pm Happy Hour, Nonna Rosa's Ristorante Italiano, Robbinsdale

Thursday, August 18

8 am Mass in the Church

Anne, Morma Amaris, Marion Anderson, Zach Arlein, Ben, Sally Backstrom, Dennis Barta, Phyllis Berninger, Joe Betz, Thomas Betz, Elaine Boehm, Sally Bolster, Alex Briner, Sara Brock, Lorraine Bryant, Pam Burd, Carroll, George C., Dayna Cell, Dick Clemens, Malia Cole, Dolores Cufaude, Joe Culver, Barb D., Manfred D., Roger D., Dan, Dean, Dick, Rosemarie Dakota, Megan Daoust, Diabra Decker, Arliss Dooley, Colleen Dooley,

Bob Duffy, Anne Duvalley, Jerry Eveslage, John & Margaret Frees, Gary Giumetti, Jacqui Gardner, Herb Gibbs, Ralph Gotto,Tom Griep, Tom H., Scott Hagebak, Angie Hancock, Brent Harapat, Jamel Harris, Mary Havstad, Bernhard Hering, Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Megan Hoffman,

Mary Hoody, Ethan Hoeschen, Kathy Horner, Jody Hughes, Kirk Ingram, Judy, Cecilia Jaisle, Dan & Tom Jay, Scott Johnson, Paul Jonsson, Kevin, Jean Karol, Maria Karpinski, Glen Kelley, Erika Kraus, Fred Kroog, Paul L., Amy Lainus, Lakhan Lal Garhewal, Ivy Lang, Rachel Larson, Dick Leahy, Gary Lindstrom, Pat Lyon, Malia, Margaret, Kyle M., Chuck MacDonald, Gavin & Jo Nachtigall, Thomas Madryga, Katherine Malaga, Anthony Marino, Harvey May, Anne McCraken, Mary Jo McMahon, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Chuck Meiers, Mike, Jerre Miller, Nate, Sara Nistler, Craig Norby, Tom O’Brien, Ben Olk, Rita Olk, Ken Olsen, Dale Olson, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera, Pam, Rick Pattison, Joan Penrose, Bill Peterka, Barbara Pouliot,

C. Popp, Nikki Poynter, Kyler & Caroline Queen, Bob Quinn, Ruth Reese, Lynn & Natalie Roloff, Renee Roufs, Helen Russett, Kate S., Carol Saarela, Conrad Sampair, Kay Sanders, Dana Sell, Mac Shapland, Aileen Sheppard, JoAnne Shepherd, Mike Sipe, Sam Slagerman, Sandy Strousd, Tom, Teddy, Tim, Trisha, Irene Taddiken, Marge Tax, Jane Tax, Matthew Tennant, Mary Eve Thomas, Echo Thoren, Tim, John Trueman, Carin Vagle,

Leroy Vague, Dick Voss, Clint Ward, Darlene Wheeler, Ian Wiek, Kay Winters, Phil Wixsten, Patricia Wood, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Maureen Wolf, Annemarie & Ava Zubrzyck

Prayer Corner Requests: To keep prayer requests current, names will be included in the bulletin for four weeks and then removed. To add a name or to renew your request, please call Nancy Becker at 612.823.8205 ext. 223.

A Book of Prayer is located in our Gym vestibule. If you have a family member or friend who is ill or who has recently died, please write their names in our Book of Prayer before Mass so we may include them in prayers during our Sunday Masses.

Sunday 9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

August 21: Fr. James Cassidy will preside and speak.

August 28: Fr. Jim DeBruycker will preside and speak at the 9 and 11 am Gym Masses. A 10 am Prayer Service will be held at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

September 4: Presider: Fr. Jim Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Rose Roach, Executive Director of the MN Nurses Association will speak on the need for universal, affordable, quality health care.

September 11: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Welcome Back/Shared Ministry.

September 18: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Cynthia Bailey Manns, our new Adult Education Director.

September 25: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Our celebration of the life of St. Francis and the life of our Pope Francis in readings and music. (Blessing of the Animals that day, too)

October 2: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Rev. Nancy Nord Bence, executive director of Protect MN, will speak on com-munity and interfaith efforts to end gun violence.

October 9: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: Long-time community leader Barbara Satin will speak about her journey as a transgender woman of faith. MN OutFront will present the workshop Trans 101 on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 7 pm at SJA.

October 16: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Vincent Smiles returns to SJA.

SignUpGenius for Eucharistic Ministers is available online. It is simple, user friendly and a reminder is sent 3 days before your scheduled volunteer day. FFI contact Marcia at mkurtz@stjoan.com. Gluten-free Communion is available upon request. Please see

any of the Sunday sacristans in the Gym before Mass.

Choir begins on Thursday, Sept. 15 with a rehearsal at 7 pm in the Church. We are looking for new, fresh faces and voices to join this community of music makers. If you are interested, can sing in tune and want to be part of a wonderful ministry and vital community...join us! Contact Anna Vagle

at 612.823.8205 ext. 235. "Make a Joyful Noise!!"

Campus Clean–Up will be on Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 am - Noon. If you’re interested in being part of this great ministry, please sign-up outside the Gym doors today after Masses. There will be 3 hours of cleaning followed by the traditional Oktoberfest lunch and raffle. With 150 volunteers providing some elbow grease we will save the Maintenance team 450 hours of cleaning and fixing here at SJA! Any NEW gifts or services you have to donate for the raffle may be dropped off at the Parish Center.

Happy Hour: Our next SJA Happy Hour is Tuesday, August 16, 5 - 7 pm, at Nonna Rosa's Ristorante Italiano, 4168 West Broadway in Robbinsdale. Join hosts Tom and Mary Gorzycki for a fun evening of socializing with others from SJA. We have a great time every month! FFI contact Fr. Cassidy

or Dennis or Margo Heaney at the Parish Center.

Cabaret! Tickets for Cabaret go on sale Saturday, August 27, beginning at 11 am in the Gym. Remember that Cabaret is always a sellout so be in line early. Also, don’t forget the Cabaret Sunday Show, directed by George Maurer, is Sunday, Oct. 9, and tickets are just $30.

Sunday Worship at Lake Harriet: St. Joan of Arc will host the Lake Harriet Bandshell service on Sunday, August 28, at 10 am. As part of the Minneapolis South Side churches, we are pleased to provide this outdoor worship service for our neighbors. Join us with the whole family.

Summer…and all that JAZZ at St. Albert the Great (E. 29th St. & 32nd Ave. S., Mpls.) Sunday, August 21, at 1 pm: Bill Duna & Debbie Duncan. $15 at the door. FFI: 612.724.3643 or www.saintalbertthegreat.org.

Wedding Policies at St. Joan of Arc: Weddings at St. Joan of Arc are provided as a service to members of the parish communi-ty. Because of the large number of weddings, it is not possible to provide the services of a Presider or our facilities for people who are not registered parishioners. For a wedding to take place at SJA, it is necessary that one of the engaged couple be a regis-tered member of the parish for at least six months before a wed-ding date can be set. A date can only be scheduled by one of the priests after an initial interview with the engaged couple. A mini-mum of six months from the time the date is set to the wedding is necessary in order to complete requirements. In cases where there has been a previous marriage ending in divorce, it is not possible to set the wedding date until notice of an annulment is in hand. FFI call Mary Ann at the Parish Center.

Summary of contributions for the week and fiscal year. Includes plate, envelopes and estimated Sustaining Member payments.

Week of August 7, 2016 Actual $38,325 Budget $36,684 Prior Year Actual $32,980

YTD (July 1 – August 7) Actual $188,151 Budget $197,521 Prior Year Actual $164,313

Thank You!

Interfaith Alliance for Gun Safety: Protect MN (recipient of SJA Justice Grant funding) invites you to St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis today at 6:30 pm for an interfaith service (including a gospel choir led by Fred and JD Steele) with a rousing call to act for sensible gun reform. Pick up a flyer outside the Gym today with more info and hope to see you there! Mobile Loaves and Fishes needs toiletry size soap, toothpaste toothbrushes, shampoo, lotion and socks. Please place your dona-tions in the collection hamper across from the food shelf bin in the Parish Center entrance. FFI contact mlf.mpls@gmail.com. Recycle: Please use the labeled receptacles for compost, paper, glass, plastic, cans, waste and cups. By doing so we will be ecologically responsible and a big help to our maintenance staff as well. Thank you. Where Does My Coffee Cup Go? We strive to be a zero-waste campus and your help is needed making sure that coffee cups are disposed of properly on Sunday mornings. Here's the info you need: 1. All hot cups brought in from outside SJA are TRASH (not recyclable), unless marked "Certified Compostable" 2. Cold plastic beverage cups and lids are RECYCLABLE. Straws are not. 3. All cups from within SJA are COMPOSTABLE - organic, made from corn. Thank you for your help! The Parish Center Summer Office Hours (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day): Monday and Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 am - 9 pm Saturday, closed Sunday, 8:30 am - 1 pm

Consider Carpooling or Riding the City Bus to Church: Go to metrotransit.org for more information. Thank you!

An Interfaith Peace Vigil Against War: Wednesdays, 5 - 6 pm, at the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue Bridge. Join us!

FFI on Pastoral Ministries contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at 612.823.8205 ext 231 or via email: mkelly@stjoan.com.

Mental Health Ministry: Join us Monday, Sept. 12 at Bethle-hem Lutheran Church for Promises, the second of three presentations in What Does Success Look Like for a Person With Special Needs Within Our Families, Communities and Schools? Widely recognized educational con-sultant, author, teacher and advocate, Jennifer Sommerness returns to share how to create

successful service delivery models of support, with an emphasis on how to create inclusive communities and schools through the use of person-centered thinking and planning. The final ses-sion in the series will be Practices, presented Oct. 10 at SJA. Each evening a light meal will be served at 5:45 pm followed by Jennifer’s presentation,6:30 – 8 pm. 1.8 hours CEU’s available for students and professionals. Free-will offering accepted. FFI about Jennifer’s work, go to https://jennifersommerness.com. The BeFriender Ministry offers confidential listening and sup-port in times of life challenges or transitions. FFI contact Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.2868. All Active BeFrienders: Please mark your calendar for our next meeting on Saturday, Aug. 20, 1 - 3 pm in the Parish Center. The Parish Visitor Ministry is available to parishioners who cannot join us for worship or would like a long or short term ad-ditional parish connection in the home, hospital, rehab or care center. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. Reminder: Active Parish Visitor ministers meeting on Thursday, Aug. 18, 7 - 8 pm in the Parish Center. Blood Drive: Linden Hills UCC, 4200 Upton Ave S, Mpls, will be sponsoring a blood drive with the Red Cross on Thursday, August 18, 2 – 8 pm. They will have an ice cream social, volun-teer fire fighters, council members, canine police unit, people from the neighborhood and music. There is a great need to replenish blood supplies for people who need it, so please join us! Questions? Call 612.927.4603.

FFI on Peace & Justice programs contact Julie Madden at 612.823.8205 ext 228 or jmadden@stjoan.com.

ISAIAH Event for the Planet! On August 25, ISAIAH congrega-tions will gather at Mayflower UCC (35W at Diamond Lake Rd.) at 6:30 pm to learn from the Sierra Club about moving cities in our region to become 100% renewable. The mayor of Roches-ter, MN has taken this bold step and we can be next! Also we'll hear updates on the campaign to move Xcel Energy to allow all Minnesotans access to clean energy and energy efficiency im-provements. Don't miss out!

School Supply Drive Ends Today: Thank you so much to all who donated so generously to our school supply drive for the children of Blessed Kateri Church. Supplies can be dropped off till 1pm today in the Egan Room. You have been extremely generous and we are so grateful for your thoughtfulness.

And as we finish this drive, we pray that we may continue to pursue economic justice for all God's people, so that families may truly live in dignity and security. Volunteers Needed: Learn More Today! After each Mass today, in the Parish Center, you are invited to learn more about an op-portunity to participate or to volunteer on Sept. 10 and 11 with a project by the UM Medical School, School of Public Health and Humphrey Institute. They will stage a simulation of a humanitarian crisis which is offered to those who serve in the field or work with refugees who are new to our country. Come and learn more about this opportunity. SJA EcoSpirits in Action: On Monday, Aug. 22, at 7 pm in the Parish Center, we welcome John Stoesz who will share a Minnesota-focused presentation on indigenous justice (with great historical context), and the invitation to "Do Justice" together. John is the former executive director of Mennonite Central Committee Central States and a longtime leader in this work. Catholic Social Teaching: This Is Our Treasure! The principles of Catholic Social Teaching give us a powerful lens through which to view the world and our role in shaping God's promise of love and justice. The seventh principle: "Stewardship of God's Crea-tion: We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions which cannot be ignored." SJA Outreach Fund: This Week's Good News! Through our

Justice Grants, we partner with Simp-son Housing Services in their great work providing housing and supportive

services and striving to end homelessness. Right now, Simpson is looking for champions for youth - mentors and tutors with varying commitment requirements. Members of SJA have absolutely loved this experience. For more on upcoming info sessions, con-tact Christina at cgiese@simpsonhousing.org or 612.455.0859. And thanks to all our Outreach Fund donors who make these partnerships possible. Your support is impacting so many lives. Rose Roach at SJA: On Labor Day Sunday, Sept. 4, our pre-Mass speaker is Rose Roach, Executive Director of the MN Nurs-es Association. She will speak on The Modern Labor Movement and the Struggle for Healthcare Justice and info will be available on our Church's incredible history supporting the rights of work-ers. The following Saturday, Sept. 10, join our SJA Conversations on Health Care group for a workshop with Rose in Hospitality Hall at 10 am: How to Fix the Healthcare System: The Single Payer Option?

We form the faith of our community through participation in prayer, liturgy, sacraments, education, community and works of justice.

Save the Date! Join us on Sept. 11 for a Welcome Back brunch and open house for families. Reunite with friends, check out your kids' classes and enjoy a meal together. Brunch will be served in Hospitality Hall after each Gym Mass. (Classes and Family Mass will begin Sept. 18.) Hope to see you there!

SJA VIRTUS Classes: Register Now! All adult volunteers who have regular or unsupervised interaction with minors or vulnerable adults must complete one VIRTUS classroom session. To secure your space at one of the St. Joan of Arc Virtus classroom ses-sions, we encourage you to register now, as sessions fill quickly. On-line pre-registration is required at www.virtus.org. Upcoming classroom sessions at SJA are:

Sunday, September 11, 2 pm Wednesday, September 14, 6 pm Thursday, September 29, 6 pm Sunday, October 2, 2 pm

To verify the status of your safe environment volunteer credentials or to register for a one-time classroom session, login to your exist-ing Virtus account, or create an account, at www.virtus.org. Please note: If you have an existing Virtus on-line account but have forgotten your login information, follow the prompt “Need login information?” Please do not create a duplicate account which will not include your archived records of previous credentialing activity. FFI, contact your SJA staff supervisor.

Adoption Book Club: On Oct. 1 at 10 am, come to Turtle Bread (on Chicago Ave in Mpls) to chat about Sherrie Eldridge’s non-fiction book, Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Par-ents Knew. Anyone interested in adoption is welcome to what is always a lively discussion. Please join us! FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Baptism: To have your child baptized at St. Joan’s you must be a registered member and participate in a 90-minute Baptism prepara-tion class. FFI and to register call JP at the Parish Center.

: FFI contact Leah Kremer, Interim Director at

lkremer@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 ext. 240.

Our Nursery, located in the lower level of the Parish Center, is open for the 9 & 11 am Sunday Masses. The Nursery is a wonderful community of families and volunteers that allows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other families in the Parish. Drop-ins welcome!

: (Ages 4-Kindergarten) FFI contact Therese

Pendleton at 612.823.8205 ext. 230 or tpendleton@stjoan.com.

: (Grades 1-6) FFI contact Marie Bissonnette

at 612.823.8205 ext. 229 or mbissonnette@stjoan.com.

2016/17 Faith Formation Registration: Don't forget to register for Faith Formation classes online at www.stjoan.com.

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

Poling at 612.823.8205 ext. 241 or dpoling@stjoan.com or Kelley Deshler at kdeshler@stjoan.com.

: FFI contact Cynthia Bailey Manns at

612.823.8205 ext. 226 or cmanns@stjoan.com.

Attention Small Christian Communities: It's time to complete a comprehensive list of the Small Christian Communities at SJA. If you want to be included in the list, please have your group's lead contact (call or email) Cynthia by Aug. 14. Thank you! Is This Your Year? RCIA prepares men and women to receive

the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Each candidate is supported by the RCIA team and paired with a sponsor who will walk them through the initiation pro-cess. FFI call Fr. Jim DeBruycker or Cynthia Bailey Manns.

Parish Book Club: We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of a month at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center to discuss our experiences with great stories. Everyone is welcome anytime! Here’s what to read next: August: No meeting September 14: Giants in the Earth by O.E. Rolvaag

October 12: The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day

Back to School Clothing Needed: Cristo Rey Jesuit High School here in Minneapolis needs new or gently used professional cloth-ing for students who combine work experiences with their high school curriculum. Black pants, dress shoes and belts for men and women are needed, as well as neckties (any color). PLEASE DO NOT DROP OFF AT SJA. Go to www.cristoreytc.org for school location and hours to drop off at Cristo Rey. Food Shelf Donations Are Needed: You are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items with you when you come to Mass on Sunday and place them in our food shelf bins, located in the entrances to our Church and Parish Center. Your food offerings are donated to the Foodshelf at Sabathani Community Center each week. Thank you for your willingness to help those in need.

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