In preparing this week’s column I was going over the sad history of leprosy. In a time when society did not have a viral or bacteriological understanding of disease all manner of prejudic-es arose around the etiology of this and other diseases. One of the most common myths at the time was that leprosy was a punishment of God and the symptoms of the disease were a symbolic representation of the inner person. The horrific scarring and decay of leprosy made it feared. The leper was forced to abandon society and live on the outskirts of town ringing a bell to warn unsuspecting travelers of their presence. Often they resorted to throwing stones at the uninfected to keep them at a safe distance. Early on in the Christian era the church began to build leprosariums to give at least a modi-cum of comfort to the afflicted. This often meant that the healthy that helped the lepers be-came ostracized themselves. Probably the most famous missionary to the lepers was the Belgian priest, Fr. Damian of Molokai. He volunteered to be ostracized on the island of Molokai with the lepers who were quarantined there. In the mid to late nineteenth century the Hawaiian Islands, obviously segregated from the rest of the world by ocean, suddenly were exposed to hundreds of new diseases. It was a catastrophe to the native population. One of these diseases was Hansen’s disease or leprosy. The lepers were dumped off at a secluded part of Molokal, unreachable except by the sea. Literally, the colony descended into depraved anarchy and it was into this anarchy that Fr. Damian was dropped. By incredibly hard work, force of will, pleading and prayer, he ultimately transformed the colony into a livable loving community. He ultimately succumbed to leprosy but he saw the disease as his last identification with his parishioners - he had become what he loved. Father Damien’s story is one of the great stories of discipleship. Lent begins this Wednesday; it is an individual and communal soul searching, a review of the state of our soul, our discipleship. As I believe I have said every year since I started writing this 2 Cents column (23 years ago) it’s coming just in the nick of time. The emotional, spiritual, psychological detritus of the last year needs dumping. A time for some healthy centering is desperately needed. Let’s jump into it now.

Presider: Fr. James Cassidy Pre-Mass Speaker: R.T. Rybak, former mayor of Minneapolis and advocate for the common good will speak. We welcome him back to SJA.

Grant Vague adds his hope-filled, youthful voice to his father, Lee Vague’s, seasoned song leading with two solos at today's Gym litur-gies. We welcome you and thank you, as always!

Fr. Jim DeBruycker will speak about today’s Gospel, which shows the infi-nite compassion of Jesus. Join us in the Church for our family-friendly litur-gies. Come make some joyful noise!

Sun, Feb. 15: Lev 13:1-2,44-46; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45 Mon, Feb. 16: Genesis 4:1-15,25; Mark 8:11-13 Tue, Feb. 17: Genesis 6:5-8,7:1-5,10; Mark 8:14-21 Wed, Feb. 18: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 Thu, Feb. 19: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25 Fri, Feb. 20: Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15 Sat, Feb. 21: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32

Sun, Feb. 22: Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

Tuesday and Thursday morning 8 am Mass is celebrated in the Church

9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

Wednesday, February 18: Ash Wednesday services at 8 am and Noon in the Church and at 7 pm in the Gym.

Sunday, February 22: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. First Sunday of Lent. Now is the Moment… to be still. Singer and recording artist, Paul Peterson joins the SJA choir with a new musical version of the Serenity Prayer.

Sunday, March 1: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Now is the Moment… to be free.

Sunday, March 8: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: Julie Madden. Now is the Moment… to rise up.

Sunday, March 15: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: Nakima Levy-Pounds. Now is the Moment… to be light.

FFI check the bulletin, the SJA website or call the Parish Center. The Upper Room is located in the Parish Center; Hospitality Hall is in the Church basement.

Today

A Recycled Life, after the 11 am Mass in the Upper Room

Tuesday, February 18

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Wednesday, February 18

8 am and Noon Masses with ashes, in the Church

Soup Supper, beginning at 5 pm in Hospitality Hall

Prayer Service with ashes at 7 pm in the Church

Choir practice, following the Prayer Service in the Church

Thursday, February 19

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Friday, February 20

Stations of the Cross, 7 pm in the Church

Bud B., Sally Backstrom, Dennis Barta, Phyllis Berninger, Peyton Berkland, Jean Besch-Patsch, Charlie Bloss, Betty Bonnert, Sara Brock, Don Burke, Courtney, Dayna Cell, Millicent Clark, Denise, John D., Roger D., Megan Daoust, Irvin Dehn, Brittnay Delaney, Lois Doyle, Marie Doyle, Paul Doyle, Jill Finley, Jermaine Foslien, John & Margaret Frees, Jim Gorman, Bryen Granlund, Tom Griep, Tom H., Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton,

Megan Hoffman, Mary Hoody, Jody Hughes, Isaac, Dan & Tom Jay, Tex Jones, Paul Jonsson, Glen Kelley, Diane Krcma family, Lynne, Kirk L, Bernie Kunkel, Amy Lainus, John Lasota, Kathy Lindeen, Gary Lindstrom, Chantilly Lynch, Kari, Kyle M., Jeanette Maloney, Marie Marschel, Rose McGonagle, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Kayla McMullan, Jackie Mead, Chuck Meiers, Mike M., Sharon Miller, Dorothy Mongoven, Jason Monroe, Pamela Morgan, Gene Muelken, Mary Mueller, Joan Mulvey, Greg Murphy, Nate, Nick, Craig Norby, David Novitske, Olivia,

Doris Oakes, Sr. Dolores Oaks, Matt Olk, Stacey Olk, Paul Olvera, Bill P., Rick Pattison, Patricia Pavlik, Joan Penrose, Linda Petri, John Pirola, Tom Privette, Guy Prudden, Brooks Richard, Herb Rorke, Sheila Rossebo, Helen Russett, Martin Salley, Shea Sexton, Sam Slagerman,

Emily Slotness, Sandra & Dietra Smith, Philip Sosin, John Spalding, Julian Sprunck, Judy Steffes, Sandy Stroud, Irene Taddiken, Helen Tierney, Matthew Tenant, Gregory Thomas, Mary Eve Thomas, Echo Thoren, Madison Travers, Carin Vagle, Sandy VanWyk, Patricia Vorst, Ben Weston,

Darlene Wheeler, Carol Whitlow, Dan Williams, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Jerry Young, Kathleen Ziegler, Ava & Annemaire Zubrzycki

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.

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

Attention 5 pm Mass Eucharistic Ministers/Sacristans: The 2015 Calendar is ready for sign-up in the Church sacristy. SignUpGenius for Eucharistic Ministers is available on line. It's 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. For Family Mass please see Gabrielle.

Choir will rehearse this Wednesday, Feb. 18 after the Ash Wednesday Service in the Gym. Warm-up for Ash Wednesday at 6:15 on the risers. No rehearsal on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten journey this week on Feb. 18. St. Joan of Arc has a full day offering for your convenience. 8 am and Noon Mass with distribution of ashes in the Church. Soup Supper begins at 5 pm in Hospitality Hall! 5 - 6 pm, Open Church for your personal, quiet prayer. 6:15 - 6:45 pm, a sing-a-long with Steve Kremer in the

Church. Ash Wednesday Prayer Service with parishioner witness sto-

ries and the distribution of ashes at 7 pm in the Gym. Fr. Jim Debruycker will provide a meditation and the SJA choir will sing. Join us for this meaningful prayer and ritual.

Soup Supper Ash Wednesday, February 18: Begin the Lenten

season with soup and sandwiches, 5 - 6:30 pm in Hospitality Hall. Supper is hosted by staff and volunteers. A free will offering will be collected for the SJA CARE Fund, which provides emergency financial assistance to parishioners and neighbors

in need. Soup and bread makers, please consider donating throughout our soup supper series! We need two gallons of each type of soup donated. Call the Parish Center and we'll gratefully tally your donations. All are welcome on Wednesdays in Lent, either just for supper or as part of our Lenten evenings of prayer and special programs. Walkin' Shoes...spend a delightful evening with internationally beloved storyteller Kevin Kling, host, Dan Chouinard and sing-er, Prudence Johnson as they weave stories of travel and song together to whet our appetite for summer adventures! An evening for the whole family on Sunday, April 26 at 7 pm in the SJA Gym. Tickets on sale www.stjoan.com. 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.

The 2015 Arm In Arm In Africa Delegation leaves on Monday, Feb. 16 for their annual mission trip. The 13 delegates have packed 750 pounds of medical supplies, Mother Bears and handmade children's clothing. At today's Masses we will send them on

their way with a blessing for a safe and joyous mission. This year's delegation includes Fr. James Cassidy, Pat Murphy, Doris Knettel, Nancy Lynch, Eileen Kielblock, Tom and Mary Gorzycki, Chris Downey, Nancy Scott, Anna Larson, Paula Larsen, Jeanne Voight and Julie Vogl. You may follow the trip at aiaia.org, then click blog for updates and photographs beginning Feb. 19.The delegation thanks the SJA community for your tremendous support of Arm In Arm In Africa, a grateful and honored Sustaining Partner of SJA. St. Patrick's Day Mass and Celebration for Seniors: On Thurs-day, March 12 SAGES invites SJA seniors to celebrate with Mass at 11:30 am in the Church, followed by lunch and entertainment in Hospitality Hall. Suggested $10 per person free will offering; no one turned away for inability to pay. Space limited; reservations required. RSVP to the Parish Center by Noon on March 9.

Adoptive Families Book Club: Join us on Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 am at Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave, to discuss the memoir Prison Baby by Deborah Jiang-Stein. FFI contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Hope to see you there! Feed My Starving Children: On March 14, 2 - 4 pm, join other SJA families to pack food for families in need around the world. We meet at the Eagan site. To sign up, contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

New to SJA? Meet a Mentor Family! Your mentor family will join you for coffee and cookies after a Family Mass to share with you the ways their family found a home at SJA. FFI, contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com. Mobile Loaves and Fishes Needs Toothbrushes! Other items

needed include toiletry size soap, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, socks, hats and mittens for the winter. Please place your donations in the collection hamper next to the food shelf bin. FFI contact mlf.mpls@gmail.com.

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

Feb. 2 - Feb. 8: Actual $34,402 Budget $33,812 Prior Year Actual $32,531

YTD (July 1 - Feb. 8): Actual $1,206,697 Budget $1,205,663 Prior Year Actual $1,206,058

The Bottom Line: Contributions last week were $590 above budget. Year-to-date contributions were $1,034 above budg-et. We continue to remain at budget for the year. Your gifts of stewardship and prayers make many things happen at SJA. Thank you! ~Steve Meyer, Finance Director

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 for a presentation to discover the role nutrition can play in maintaining good men-tal health on Monday, March 9 in Hospitality

Hall. Light supper at 5:45 pm; announcements and program 6:30 - 8:15 pm. 1.5 CEU's offered to students/professionals. All are welcome. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. Did You Know? Cost, fear of stigma and lack of knowledge about treatment/recovery options keep people with a mental illness from seeking help. The new Mental Health Connect pro-gram has been designed as a first step to assist in overcoming these issues. FFI contact Kristina Swanberg at 612.312.3377 or kswanberg@bethlehem-church.org. To assist in funding this new pilot project contact Fr. Jim DeBruycker or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. BeFriender Ministry: Looking for a confidential listening compan-ion? Contact Carolyn Dobis, 651.485.2868 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. SJA/TRUST Grief Support: On Thursday, Feb. 19 Brenda

DeMotte, Grief Counselor, Author, will speak on Creating Balance at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2914 W. 44th St, Mpls. 6:15 pm, registration and refreshments; 6:30 pm, speaker; 7 - 8 pm, facilitated

small groups. All are welcome. FFI contact Norine Larson at 952.925.2437 or Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. Retreat for Separated or Divorced: The Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo is offering Forgiveness: A Journey to the Heart, Friday, March 20, 7 pm to Sunday, March 22, 12:45 pm. If you are hurting from separation or divorce take some time away in a beautiful lakeside setting for relaxation and spiritual renewal. Suggested offering: $170 with a non-refundable deposit of $30 per person to reserve a room. For a registration brochure contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center. FFI call the retreat center at 783.682.1394 or go to www.kinghouse.com.

FFI on Peace & Justice programs contact Julie Madden at 612.823.8205 ext 228 or jmadden@stjoan.com. A Recycled Life: Join us today, in the Parish Center Upper

Room following the 11:00 Mass for a screening of this short film, nominated for an Academy Award. It tells the story of the largest toxic landfill in Central America and the people who live and work there, recycling the city's trash. Hosted by our SJA Sister Parish commit-

tee - refreshments included! Walk Slow, Pray Hard, SJA EcoSpirits Special Event: On Monday, Feb. 23, we will be joined by Sharon Day at 7 pm in the Parish Center. She is the leader of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force, and has walked thousands of miles along the Mississippi River, praying for the health of the world's waters. Come and hear this prophetic witness. A Day at the Capitol with our SJA ISAIAH Core Team: A visit to

our legislators is the most effective and easy way to be heard during the legislative session, and ISAIAH congregations are ready to go! SJA will have a presence at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 3 and we welcome all to join us - training, orienta-

tion and accompaniment provided. This is such a powerful and simple way to exercise our discipleship in service of the common good and human dignity. FFI/to sign up, contact Julie Madden at the Parish Center.

Discrimination in our Criminal Justice System: Looking in the Mirror: On Monday, March 9, at 7 pm, SJA will host an event featuring former President of the Council on Crime and Justice Tom Johnson, as well as people impacted by our criminal justice system. This will be a very powerful and timely conversation, sponsored by Catholic Charities' Office for Social Justice. Calling All Bennies! On Sunday, March 1, a group of 11 St. Ben's students will arrive at the SJA Youth House and will be there for the week, volunteering with local organization Breaking Free as an alternative Spring Break experience. SJAers are invit-ed to share dinner with these wonderful young women on Friday, March 6. RSVP to Julie Madden at the Parish Center. A Delegation to the Border: On Sunday, March 1, following the

11:00 Mass, parishioner Rose Grengs invites you to an information session in the Parish Center about a potential delegation to the U.S./Mexico border in the winter of 2016.

It will be an incredible experience learning about the issues faced by those migrating across the desert. Housing Ministry: Saturday, March 7, we will field a team of SJAers to volunteer with Urban Homeworks, rehabbing a home that will provide beautiful and affordable housing. No experience necessary - FFI/to volunteer, contact Julie Madden, thank you!

Get your Daily Dose this Lent! A variety of daily reflection booklets are now available. A great way to strengthen your Lenten experience: 40 Windows for Lent for children; available in the Church

and Gym Our Sacred Journey for Adults; available in the Church

and Gym The Word Among Us for Adults, with daily Mass readings;

available in the Church

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

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre: Join us to create a production to be presented at Family Masses on Palm Sunday. On five Wednesday nights in Lent participants will make masks, rehearse for the play and reflect on Lent. $10/person or $25/family. FFI/to register, Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

Let it Go! A Lenten Reconciliation for Families: Get ready for Lent with song, story and the sacrament of forgiveness On Feb. 22 at 4 pm, come to the Church for a service designed for families. Let your troubles go as we build a forgiveness garden together!

Camp St. Joan 2015 – Australia: Join us July 20 - 23, 8:45 am - 12:30 pm to explore Australia right here at SJA. Campers ages 4 years to 6th grade graduates. Volunteers of all ages welcome. Online registration begins Feb. 22 at www.stjoan.com. FFI contact

Therese at tpendleton@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 x 230.

SJA Children’s Choir: All children in grades 3 - 7 are invited to join our Children’s Choir, directed by Seth Boyd. The choir will have three Spring performances: April 19, May 10 and June 7. Rehearsals will be in the school library on March 8, 15, 22 & 29, April 12 & 26, May 3,12:45 - 2 pm and May 24 & May 31, 10:30 am - noon. Sign up with Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

: FFI contact Jennifer Gessner, at 612.823.8205 ext.

240, or jgessner@stjoan.com.

Our Nursery, located in the lower level of the Parish Center, is open for the 9 and 11 am Sunday Masses. The Nursery Coopera-tive is a wonderful community of families and volunteers that al-lows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other young 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.

Schedule: Today: No classes, volunteer banner making in Room 103, regular Family Masses Feb. 22: Regular classes & Family Masses March 1, 8, 15: Regular class; regular FM March 22: Meet in classrooms, 9 and 11 am special Stations of the Cross in the Church—all invited followed by Family Mass

Kids: Celebrate Your Gifts! On Feb. 21, at 10 am in the Church, we will have a showcase for grades 1 - 6, followed by a potluck lunch in Hospitality Hall. Run-through on Feb. 14, 10 am. Sign up to perform alone or with other kids. Each presentation may be up to three minutes. Regis-

ter after Family Mass or contact Gabrielle at gdane@stjoan.com.

First Communion preparation program is open to all parish chil-dren 2nd grade and up. The registration meeting is March 15 at 12:30 pm in the Gym. FFI go to www.stjoan.com under the Sacra-ments/First Communion tab, or contact Marie Bissonnette.

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

Poling at 612.823.8205 ext. 241 or dpoling@stjoan.com.

Youth Got Talent: Are you in grades 7 - 12 and have a talent that you want to share? Come and audition on March 8 or 15 for Youth Got Talent! Auditions are in the Arc starting at 12:30. Sign up for auditions at CLUB or online! Youth Got Talent is on April 25 at 7 pm in the SJA Gym.

Delegation to Pine Ridge Reservation, SD for 9th-12th graders! August 1 - 7. Interested in having a meaning-ful experience, working at various projects across the reservation while learning about the culture and history of the Lakota people?

Join us on our delegation trip this summer! Come to an important information meeting on Sunday, March 1, 12:30 - 2 pm in the Arc. FFI contact Donelle Poling at dpoling@stjoan.com.

: FFI contact Julie McConaha at

612.823.8205 ext. 226 or jmcconaha@stjoan.com.

#SJA<40 Guilty Pleasures Mardi Gras! Lent is hard! Partying is easy! On Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 pm - 10 pm, bring something to share: cigars, video games, meat, all things SUGAR, Catholic fortitude, and anything else you plan to forgo for the next 40 days. Dress warm! Fiery pit in the backyard. RSVP at SJAUnderFor-ty@stjoan.com to receive location address and other information. Find #SJA<40 on Facebook at SJAUnderForty and on Twitter @SJAUnderForty.

Weavings - A Writing Workshop: Saturdays, Feb. 21, 28 and March 7, 9 am - Noon. Remember stories that have woven your life tapestry. Through exercises, discussion and sharing create your legacy story. Led by SAGES member and Legacy Writer, Marie Thielen. Cost is $25 - no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. RSVP to the Parish Center.

Open Knit & Craft: This is an open group for anyone wishing to work on their craft while growing connections with fellow parishioners. This is also a great opportunity start knitting/crocheting as a beginner - we will give you a lesson! Monday, Feb.16 or Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6 pm - 8:30 pm in the Parish Center. Join

the email list at jmcconaha@stjoan.com.

Save the Date! March 14: Developing the Virtue of Gratitude, SAGES spring retreat, 9 am - 1 pm in Hospitality Hall, open to all; led by Mark Scannell and Rita Benak.

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