Pastor’s 2 Cents From: Fr. Jim DeBruycker

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:24) is probably one of the most quoted biblical expressions. But does it originate with the Bible? Most scholars see its origins in the Code of Hammurabi; remember him from grade school history quizzes? Jesus most notably uses it with the retort that if someone harms you, turn the other cheek. The quote is usually used by someone wronged and out for revenge. As a concept, it was actually a step forward. Differing actions should have similar consequences. You shouldn’t chop off someone’s head for stealing a loaf of bread. It was the beginning of the legal system and a system of legal compensation. Thankfully, over the centuries the consequences and the compensations have become more humane. Of course there are always dictators who like to return to the good old days of terror, and those psychotic narcissists who see all affronts as deserving capital punishment. Of course, along with Jesus, a number of ethical leaders have accepted the statement that an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. Many have thought Gandhi originated this quote-in the movie Gandhi, Ben Kingsley actually says it. But it turns out, Louis Fisher, a Gandhi biographer, used the quote to describe the concept of satyagraha or truth force. It is at the core of non-violent resistance which Gandhi used against the British If you constantly confront someone with the truth, it changes a person and of course, the most famous practitioner in our time of ‘truth force’ was Martin Luther King. He said, “As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.”(1956)

Our Gospel begins with Peter asking how many times must I forgive my brother. We get the parable of the forgiven servant who cannot for-give as he has been forgiven. Out of shame and fear, he tries to use violence but all he receives is violence in return. Even the beneficent master resorts to violence. Jesus is plainly saying to forgive every time until it finally sinks in. They may actually crucify you before it takes hold, but don’t empower that endless reign of meaningless chaos.

SJA Welcome Back Sunday: 2020 Version! Today, Sunday, Sept. 13, between 9am - noon, we invite you to drive through the SJA parking lot and pick up info (from your vehi-cle, wearing your masks) on all kinds of fall activities, including Faith Formation and Family Liturgy, Warm Hands Warm Hearts Coat Collection, peace and justice min-istry events, SJA gardening, and other Shared Ministry volunteer opportuni-

ties. AND you can purchase Cabaret raffle tickets, too! Please plan on stopping by our drive-thru. We'll be thrilled to see you, even for a moment, and we promise we won't try to hug you. See you soon!

School Supply Collection at SJA ends this week. We are collecting items for the Church of Blessed Kateri, You can drop off supplies at our ministry drive-thru today Sept. 13, 9am - noon, or at the Parish Center M-F 9am - 3pm thru this Friday, Sept. 18. FFI, go to www.stjoan.com or contact Julie Madden.

Sun, Sep. 13: Sirach 27:30-28:7; Romans 14:21-35; Matt 18:21-35 Mon, Sep. 14: Numbers 21:4b-9; John 3:13-17 Tue, Sep. 15: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27-31a; John 19:25-27 Wed, Sep. 16: 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 7:31-35 Thu, Sep. 17: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 7:36-50 Fri, Sep. 18: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 8:1-3 Sat, Sep. 19: 1 Corinthians 15:35-37,42-49; Luke 8:4-15 Sun, Sep. 20: Isaiah 55:6-9; Phil 1:20c-24,27a; Matthew 20:1-16a

Carol Anderson, Molly McLaughlin Antila, Bill, Dennis Barta, Dave Benson, Phyllis Berninger, Elaine Boehm, Marcia Boehnlein, Patty Brennan, Lorraine Bryant, Stacy Budd, Jonathan Bulthuis, Pam Burd, Josefina Cahuex, David Carroll, Bob Corrick, Barbara Cracraft, Culver family, Judy Dean, Larry Dease, Jim DeBruycker, Mae Deiekhuis, Colleen Dooley, Ava Dunlay, Kathie DuRocher, Henry F, Bridgit & Paul Fiore, John & Margaret Frees,

Michelle Fries, Kate Gilbert, Heidi Gregorich, Ron Guillfoile, Barbara Hager-Olsen, Mary Hale-Haniff, Claire Hayes, Isaiah Henry, Judy Hilkemann, Brad Hinker, Jim Hinton, Megan Hoffman, Jan Horner, Kathy Horner, Kathy Itzin, Tom Jay, Janie, Jean E, Jeri, John, Annie Kack, Brad Karkkainen, Glen Kelley, Chuck Kennedy, Paul Kennedy, John Kingston, Sage Kirscht, Theresa Knaus, Steve Kremer, Jim Kummer, Abby L., Helen LaFavor, Amy Lainus, Melva Larson, Bobby Lindholm, Margaret Lulic, Chantilly Lynch, Dawn McCelland, Kate Meyer, Bob Miller, Rita Miller, Tom Moore, Bev Moran, Paige More, Royce Morrissette, Jack Muelken, Ted Mueller, Nate, Rita Nelson, Craig Nordby, Arla Olive, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera,

Mike O’Rourke, Colette Ott, Charmaine Owens, Jacques Parent, Pam Paul, Alice Pirola, Gina R, Pat Radecki, Graham & Nancy Rattray, Carol Reiland, Jack Riebel, Jean Rieck, Gina Romani, Donald & Susan Roufs, Dorothy Rowe, Pat Russell, Ruth J, Sri, Shasa Satrin, Ottavio Savina, Don Schafer,

Dale Schmidkee, Carter Schmidt, Phil Schmidt, Colleen Schroeder, Pam Schulstad, Betty Scully, Gerry Sell, Gary Sheppard, Sam Slagerman, Harold Sonnek, Joan Speltz,,Ross Spriggs, Doug Stahlke, Vivian Steblay, Carson Stier, Nancy Stockhaus, Rick Streng, Grayson Taylor,

Matthew Tennant, Dennis Thurmond, Glo Tonskemper, Arturo Torres, Al Traynham, Linda Underhill, Jesus Uz Tiu, Carin Vagle, Leroy Vague, Dave Velasco, Floyd Ward, Pam Washington, Marlys Weber, Mary White, Jerry Wohnoutka, George Wolf, Jim Wolfe, Morley Woodruff, Michele Wylie,

Mike Wyman, Denise Wyttenbach, Sarah Yoder, Dave Youngren, Annemaire & Ava Zubrzycki, Bridget Zvirin

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 the Parish Center at 612.823.8205.

Our Liturgies from April through today’s will be available through the St. Joan of Arc website. Celebrate virtually with Fr. DeBruycker , Fr. Cassidy and the SJA community. Watch online at www.stjoan.com.

Family liturgies are taking a brief hiatus before launching again on September 6th, when we start off our Fall together!

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

Week of August 31 - September 6, 2020 Actual $24,319 Budget $34,583 Prior Year Actual $39,751

Year to Date (July 1 – September 6, 2020) Actual $289,285 Budget $309,249 Prior Year Actual $350,250

THANK YOU for your continued generosity!!

20 Days Until Imagination Cabaret 2020: Mark your calendars! and join us on Saturday, October 3 at 7pm for: A FREE, 90-Minute Live concert broadcast on Stjoan.com Our 26th Annual SJA Concert Fundraiser - Your contributions

make a difference to our 90 programs throughout the SJA community, city, country and world. Featuring over 20 performances from Twin Cities musical Luminaries. Three great raffle prizes: A Maui Vacation package (details on our website) or cash prizes worth $500 or $250 Purchase Raffle Tickets in person with cash or check only.

$20/ticket - no limit. Raffle tickets are available at the Parish Center during regular

hours; please call first, or come to the Sept. 13 drive-through event from 9am to Noon.

Find details on the SJA website (www.stjoan.com) and our Facebook page.

Bookkeeper Position: Arm in Arm in Africa is seeking a part-time Bookkeeper. This is a paid position, typically requiring about 15 hours a week, with additional hours required around quarterly reporting and fund-raising events. The Bookkeeper will report to Pat Murphy, Treasurer of AIAIA, and work closely with

Pat Dawson, Executive Director. Familiarity with Quickbooks Online a plus, but will provide training for the right candidate. A complete job description can be found at aiaia.org. If interested, please send an email - including a resume or summary of your experience - to Pat Dawson at pdawson@aiaia.org. Food Shelf/Toiletries Donations Needed: We will continue to accept non-perishable food items, laundry detergent and body soap for Sabathani Community Center and toothbrushes, tooth-paste, toiletry-sized soap, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, and new, lightweight socks for Mobile Loaves Twin Cities. All items can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9am - 3pm, in the bins in the Parish Center. Thank you for your willingness to help those in need! Help Parishioners In Need! If you are able to help members in our community with things like picking up & delivering groceries please contact Sherri Stella at 612.823.8205 ext. 231 or sstella@stjoan.com.

A Statewide Relay for Our Water: On Sun, Sept 20 at 5:45pm we invite you to gather with our SJA EcoSpirits at 3rd Ave. So. & the Parkway, just a few blocks from SJA., when we will receive from our friends at Shir Tikvah, a small container of water from the Mississippi River headwaters, which we will carry to SJA. On Mon, Sept 21, at 6pm, join us again as we hand off the water at the community garden on 36th Ave. So, just south of 50th St. As this water travels around the state, we focus on our gratitude for the gift of Minnesota's life-giving waters, and we commit to protecting our water from the proposed Line 3 oil pipeline expansion. We will have actions you can take to be a water protector. FFI email Jean at 63jmdiekmann@q.

SJA Antiracism Ministry: We thank everyone who has joined us for powerful discussions and steps for-ward this summer. Our most recent conversation ex-

plored our sense of safety in our community, and began the dis-cussion of what it means to reform, defund or abolish the police. We are continuing this discussion on Sunday, Sept. 27, 11am - 1pm, and we will be joined by SJA youth who are leading great things! FFI/to register for this event, please contact Julie Madden.

RCIA: SJA welcomes you on your spiritual journey of study, exploration, faith sharing, and faith formation. The Rite of Christian Initiation, or RCIA, is an important Sacrament designed for adults (called Candidates) who are interested in becoming Catholic, or for Catholics who wish to be Confirmed, and may also include the Rite of Baptism. Each Candidate works with an individual sponsor who will walk with them through this unique faith journey. The RCIA classes from Fall 2020 through Spring 2021, led by Fr. Jim DeBruycker and the RCIA leadership team, build learning relationships that encourage provocative questions about what it means to be Catholic and opportunities to grow in one's faith. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Cynthia Bailey Manns at cmanns@stjoan.com.

Coalition for Grief Support: Join us Thur, Sept. 24, 6:30 - 8pm, at Our Lady of Peace Church (5426 12th Ave S), as Beryl Schewe, author and Director of Pastoral Care presents, Charac-teristics of Grief. The evening begins with light refreshments, fol-lowed by a presentation and facilitated small group sessions. Space is limited. Please call Sara at 612.827.6159 to register.

Mental Health Monday: Please join us virtually to-morrow,Monday, Sept. 14, 6:30 - 8pm as Karen Casey, PhD, Author and Educator presents, Being Our Better

Selves. Follow the link on our website to join. FFI contact Sherri Stella at sstella@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 ext. 231.

Fall Healing Service: Healing Grace in Presence, October 7, 7-8pm When we are present with each other and acknowledge the hurting places we discover Hope and Love, even in these turbu-lent times. Our Prayer Partners invite you to join us for a contem-plative experience laced with prayer and music as well as a safe place to name what aches and what brings life. Please register by contacting Cynthia Bailey Manns at cmanns@stjoan.com

Twin Cities Nonviolent: From September 18 - 27, there will be 10 days of virtual peacemaking activities and presentations, bringing much-needed healing and hope to our Twin Cities. Many people familiar to SJA, including musicians, peacemakers, and justice builders, will be part of this event. FFI go to twincitiesnonviolent.org and join with others in lifting up a Twin Cities free from violence. This is a short video that tells the story of this event: https://youtu.be/k_s3pIoLVhk

Warm Hands Warm Hearts Is Back! Our beloved annual collection of new winter coats and accesso-ries for children in our community is led solely by SJA volunteers and starts soon!

Here’s how you can get involved – pick one or more! • Shop early -- Purchase a coat with mittens and a hat, put it in a plastic bag, label the gender and size on the outside, and drop it off at SJA’s Drive-thru Ministry Event on Sunday, September 13 from 9am to noon. We will have extra bags available, too. • Sign up later – on our WHWH Sign Up Genius online site. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D49ADAD2BA64-warm7 Select a gender and size, then bring your purchased coat/hat/mittens to SJA on one of the following dates. Plastic bags and labels will be available for you there. Saturday, October 10, 9am - noon Saturday, October 17, 9am - noon Monday - Friday, October 12 - 16, 9am - 3pm • Send in a donation by check or cash to SJA, attention “Warm Hands, Warm Hearts” in the memo line. • Volunteer to don your mask and gloves to help with donations at SJA on the dates above To sign up to volunteer go to our WHWH Sign Up Genius site: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D49ADAD2BA64-warm7 • Have questions? Call 612.823.8205 (Ext 237).

Welcome the Stranger Fall Series: Our Welcome the Stranger ministry focuses on immigrants, refugees and asylees, and we have a fantastic series of events coming up to explore connec-tions between Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota immigrant communities. Our first event is Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 - 11:30am, with Bonnie Rietz, former mayor of Austin, MN, and founder of Apex Austin, which works to welcome immigrants to her community. FFI/to register, contact Julie Madden or go to www.stjoan.com. Also, we have a short introductory video from Bonnie available on our Facebook and web page!

"Wait...My Vote Can Send Me to Hell?" Step back from the current rhetoric and spend some time with the principles of Cath-olic Social Teaching and our SJA ISAIAH core team, learning more about our faith, our call to political responsibility, and ac-tions to engage voters. Join us on Thur, Oct, 8 from 7-8pm. OR Sun, Oct 18 from 11am-noon. To register, contact Julie Madden.

SJA Housing Ministry: We Respond to the Needs of Our City. On Tue, Oct 6, 4:30pm, join our SJA Housing Ministry team for a brief update on our work and an invitation to join us! We are partnering with Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative in supporting an exciting new development in No Minneapolis, and we need your help. RSVP to Julie Madden for the Zoom link.