PARISH OFFICES Mon.—Thurs., 8 A.M. - 7:30 P.M.; Friday Closed Phone: 925-830-0600 Fax: 925-830-5059 Email: ParishOffice@sjasr.org

YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE Grades 7-12 Phone: 925-830-4720 Fax: 925-830-5059 Email: YouthOffice@sjasr.org

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE Pre-School-Gr. 6

Mon.—Thurs. 9:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Fri., 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Phone: 925-830-4710 Fax: 925-830-5059 Email: REOffice@sjasr.org

CYO OFFICE Basketball: stjoancyo@aol.com Track: www.stistjcyotrackclubspaces.com Website: www.stjoancyo.com

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration Forms can be found on the vestibule counters. You may drop them at the parish office or in the collection basket.

St. Joan of Arc Parish 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd. • San Ramon, CA 94583-1630

April 9/10, 2011

Our Mission…

To Be Christ for Others As Christ is for Us

“Learn it, Live it”

DAILY SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Sacrament of Reconciliation – Saturday, 4:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. or by appointment Saturday Evening Mass (Vigil of Sunday) – 5:30 P.M. Sunday Masses – 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 A.M. & 12:00 Noon Daily Masses: Monday through Friday – 9:00 A.M. Communion Service: Saturday mornings – 9:00 A.M. Anointing of the Sick:1st Saturday of the month -- 9:00 A.M. Holy Day Masses – 6:00, 9:00 A.M., 12:10 & 7:30 P.M. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - 7:00 p.m. First Friday of each month (unless otherwise noted)

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Our faith promises us that we will love forever in the company of god and his saints. But could it be that we have put too much stress on the promise of the after life? Could it be that we have not put enough emphasis on the promise of life here and now? Our faith is a way of life as well as an answer to death. The ancient Jews believed that heaven would be here on earth. The dead would be raised at the end of time and returned to live on this earth. Underlying that view of the future life is a profound understanding. God will

not rest and he will not let us rest until we get lie on this earth right! In our Gospel, we find a marvelous story about God’s power over death. On one level, the raising of Lazarus prefigures the raising of all the dead at the end of time. But, on another level, this story describes the power of God to bring life out of death here and now. The raising of Lazarus is an assurance of “eternal life here and now.” When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he demonstrated that God’s power is not limited to the future life. That same power is available to bring hope out of despair, love out of hate, courage out of fear in the present life. A faith that is adequate for today must center on God’s power to bring life out of death here and now. Without such a faith, our lives would be crushed by despair, failure, illness and disaster. But we have the assurance that we can take the worst that this world dishes out because Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. If God gave Jesus the power to bring Lazarus out of the tomb, he certainly has given Christ the power to transform our lives here and now; to undo our past and to redo our future.

Page Two ST. JOAN OF ARC PARISH

St. Joan of Arc Directory

PARISH OFFICE .................................... 830-0600 Rev. Ray Zielezienski—Pastor x223

frray@sjasr.org Rev. Ian Mendoza—Parochial Vicar—x226

imendoza@sjasr.org Mike Backes—Maintenance Supervisor x225

mbackes@sjasr.org Jeanne Da San Martino—Office Manager x221

jdasanmartino@sjasr.org Wendy Bankson — Admin. Asst./Bookkeeper x222

wbankson@sjasr.org Janèt Sullivan Whitaker—Music Director x227

Ruben Gomez—Deacon Hock Chuan Oey—Deacon Charlie Stanton—Deacon

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE 830-4710 Maureen Tiffany—Director x229

mtiffany@sjasr.org Sheri Martinez— R.E. Office Manager x230

smartinez@sjasr.org Liz Mooring—6th Grade Coordinator x231

lmooring@sjasr.org Jamie Ingrassia—Little Angels/Little Saints 232

jingrassia@sjasr.org

YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE 830-4720 Bob Cummings—Youth Ministry Director x234

bcummings@sjasr.org Kerry Fahey — Y.M. Office Manager x234

kfahey@sjasr.org Mary Machi — Youth Minister x244

mmachi@sjasr.org Gina McCormick— Junior High x233

gmccormick@sjasr.org WEB SITE www.sjasr.org Lisa Krenzelok - Web Master

Sacraments SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Held Sundays—Please

allow 8 weeks for preparation. Contact the parish office for more information.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: Preparation for teens begins in Grade nine; please contact the Youth Ministry Office. Adults (over 18) please contact the Parish Office.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: The bride, the groom or their parents must be registered parishioners of St. Joan. The couple must also meet with a priest or deacon at least six months prior to the proposed wedding date.

SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK: For anyone experiencing chronic illness or preparing for medical treatment, surgery, long-term care, etc., please call the Parish Office to arrange an appointment with a priest. Also celebrated in the communal form on the 1st Saturday of each month at the 9am Mass.

CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (R.C.I.A.): For individuals interested in becoming Catholic, and for adult Catholics who have not received Eucharist or Confirmation please contact the Parish Office.

EUCHARIST TO THE SICK OR HOMEBOUND If you or someone you know

would like to receive the Eucharist at home, please call our Parish Office at 830-0600

or Deacon Hock Oey at 804-6790

Blessings, Fr. Ray

Fr. Ray’s

Reflections

San Ramon, CA Page Three San Ramon, CA Page Three San Ramon, CA Page Three

5th Sunday of Lent April 10, 2011

Mass Intentions

SAT: 5:30 PM Peter C. Gleeson + SUN: 7:30 AM Susan & Bob Tricca Family 9:00 AM Frank Barry + 10:30 AM Pat Fried + 12:00 PM Members of Our Parish MON: 9:00 AM Kelly & Roberto Ibarra Family TUES: 9:00 AM Helen Kapushinski + WED: 9:00 AM Connie & Mark Fidel - Schlitt THURS: 9:00 AM Consuelo Stanton + FRI: 9:00 AM Dora Cecchi + SAT: 9:00 AM Communion Service

Pray for those who are sick or suffering: Elfi Ashouri, Stanley Zielezienski, Clare Dowling, Roberta Ambrose Sotelo, Ann Otis, Bob and Ann Grau, Honey Giblin, Nicholas Policar, Janet Bertolero, Susan Yates, Dona Marguglio, Joann Porter, Mary Splane, Mary Beth Kramer, Ida Trimmer, Mary Bickford, Mary Roberts, Fernando Ramos, Irene Moreno, Veronica Alexander, Danny Whalen, John Bauer, Piper Loescher, Annette Beaucheman, Matisse Samala, Sabrina Franklin, Anne Boot, John McKeown, Eden Tiongson, John Sneed, Pavlic Khoudian, Ramon Navarro, Sharon Boursaw, Mike Theriault, Julian Uceda, Frank Bieniosek, Lou Castello

Pray for the deceased: Cathy Carazo, Phyllis Levers

San Ramon, CA Page Three

5th Sunday of Lent Questions of the Week:

Question for Adults: “When and in what way have you seen life come from death?”

Question for Children: “When have you felt stronger because you sacrificed something for a friend or member of your family?”

St. Mary’s Dinner for Seniors

Thank you to all of our generous parishioners for the many donations

last weekend. You are all very much appreciated!

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 [41c-62]; Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mt 21:1-11 (procession);Is 50:4-7; Ps 22; Phil 2:6-11; Mt 26:14 — 27:66 [27:11-54]

UPDATE ON FR. RAY’S BROTHER Every three weeks my brother Stan has been receiving chemotherapy to try to reduce the tumor that is press-ing against his optic nerve and has entered the second inner lining of the brain. There is good news and bad news. The tumor has slightly reduced the size in the area of the inner lining of the brain. The bad news is that the tumor has increased in size around the area of the optic nerve. This has caused my brothers eyesight to be very limited. He is now legally blind but has been adapting very well to his new life style. Much transformation is happening in his life through all of this, and it is all blessing and gift. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers for him as he continues on his life journey.

THANK YOU...The family of Tom Pult would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support during their time of sadness. Mary Pult and Family

We Will Sing Forever Thank You!

The Bukas Palad Concert was attended by many of their admirers from all over the bay area as well as newcomers. The Bukas Palad Music performers were incredible! The San Ramon City officials who attended were entertained and expressed their appreciation. Thank you to everyone who made this event successful: The Simbang Gabi ministry for hosting the event, Bob Cummings, Patrick Camp, Maureen Tiffany and Ely Torres for technical support and the Knights of Columbus 9206 for helping us control the traffic in the parking lot. The Bukas Palad Sing Forever concert fundraising was a great success.

Religious Education Telephone: 830-4710—Email: REOffice@sjasr.org

SAN RAMON, CA Page Four

Tiny Treasures Play Group…

Parents and Children meet Thursdays 10:00 to 11:30 am in Classroom 2 & 3

(unless otherwise noted)

Come join the fun with Tiny Treasures! Meet new friends, create art, and have fun!

April 14 Pink Craft 21 Easter Craft 28 Park

Questions: Call Sabrina at 456-0569

Little Saints will meet during the 9AM and 10:30AM Mass on the following Sundays:

April 17th

May 1st, May 15th

The pro-rated cost for the remainder of this school year is $30.

Registration forms are located in the Religious Education office.

This Tuesday, April 12 there is a Parent Meeting for the parents of those receiving First Communion.

The meeting is at 7:30 in the church.

Next Sunday, April 17 there is a retreat for those children receiving their First Communion this year.

The retreat will begin in the gym at 1:00. It will end in the church at 4:30.

> Whole Community Catechesis meets Sunday April 17 in the Gym from 10 to 11:45.

> CIC meets this Sunday April 10 from 11:30 to 1:00 in the Multi Purpose Room.

The ROCK meets this Thursday April 14 in the Gym. We are going to experience a Seder Supper and finish our movie about JESUS.

SAN RAMON, CA Page Five

YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE 925-830-4720

YouthOffice@sjasr.org

Next Youth Mass Sunday, April 10

Well, at least it’s time for TEENS to sign up to be VBS LEADERS! WE CAN’T DO IT WITH OUT YOU!

VBS is June 20-24 AM SESSION: 8:15-11:30 a.m. PM SESSION: 12:45-4:00 p.m.

Mandatory teen training sessions on Sunday, May 22 and Thursday, June 16.

* * * * * Students who are currently in HIGH SCHOOL,

you can register to be a leader NOW! Students who are currently in 6th-8th grade,

you can register to be a leader on APRIL 11! Find out all the details and register by going to our parish website:

www.sjasr.org

• Swimming • Music • Mountain biking • Socials • Good Food • Trails • Basketball

• Volleyball • Climbing wall • Ropes course • Paintball • 200 OTHER

TEENS

VALLEY CAMP 2011

For information on how to register, check out website or call Youth Center at 830-4720

Page Six ST. JOAN OF ARC PARISH

Weekly Goal: $28,000 April 2/3, 2011 Collections Envelope Users $ 13,425.00 Loose Checks $ 3,952.00 Loose Cash $ 2,300.00 OTHER* $ 5,430.00 Total Sunday Collection: $ 25,107.00 Excess/(Shortfall) $ (2,893.00)

*Other includes EFT, Employee Giving Campaign, On-Line Banking Catholic Relief $ 3,953.00

Treasure

Our next 2nd collection will be for the Holy Land

On Good Friday

April 10, Fifth Sunday of Lent

When Jesus heard about the illness of His friend, Lazarus, He responded, "This illness is not to end in death; rather it is for God’s glory, that through it the Son of God may be glorified." Every aspect of our lives – our gifts as well as our sufferings - can, if surrendered to Christ, lead to blessing for ourselves and others. "So they took away the stone." - John 11:4

In this great miracle Jesus calls others to act. He tells the crowd to roll away the stone from the tomb. And they protest, saying it will stink. How often do we think that something God is asking us to do might "stink" – whether it is giving more of our time, our talent or our treasure? Yet if we are willing to follow Our Lord's command and take away the stones that block us from par-ticipating in God's work, we can expect great miracles in our lives. LIVING STEWARDSHIP NOW: I have been a part of the Welcoming Ministry, since its inception. I believe it is necessary for new parishioners to know about the parish before they join, to be sure it is a right fit for them and/or their families. We have a monthly welcoming gathering to which we invite pre-registered parishioners who are welcomed by Ministry members. Fr. Ray informs them on what they can expect from the parish and what the parish expects from them. Hospitality follows and pictures are taken of each family to be posted in the vestibules of the church. We have gotten very positive feedback from parishioners who have gone through this experience. This feedback makes me feel that I am contributing to the growth and mission of the parish. Jeanne Henderson

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April is Autism Awareness Month

WHAT IS AUTISM? Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Develop-mental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syn-drome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders.

HOW COMMON IS AUTISM? Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diag-nosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. One out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical.

For more information on these topics, please visit the website, www.autismspeaks.org.

St. Joan of Arc Autism Support Group

(meets the 4th Monday of each month)

Hospital Ministers Needed

We are seeking parishioners who are interested in joining our group. If you

are looking for a way to improve your spiritual-ity, are comfortable in a hospital environment and would like to work with great people, please consider the St. Joan of Arc Hospital Minis-try. We visit San Ramon Regional Medical Center every day and bring the Eucharist to patients from all backgrounds. We are particularly I interested in individuals who can devote time on weekdays. So, if you are recently retired and/or considering a way to give back to the Church and community, please call:

T. J. DeSoto, Coordinator at 925-858-9270 or email to tjdesoto@comcast.net.

Catholics@Work is proud to announce Ms. Heather King, commentator for National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and author of three memoirs, will be our speaker at the April 12, 2011 breakfast forum. Ms. King, an eloquent, charming and funny story teller, will share her journey from alcoholism and despair to her conver-sion to Catholicism and finding her true vocation. She will challenge us to free ourselves by confronting our own fears and really listening to that little voice inside us that is whispering our true calling.

The Catholics@Work breakfast event will be held at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive,

Danville, CA 94526 on Tuesday, April 12, 2011.

A full buffet breakfast is served starting at 7:00 am (Mass is offered at 6:30 A.M. at the same location.) Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

To register for this event, please visit our

website: www.catholicsatwork.org

Food for Friends Collection - weekend of 4/16-17

Our usual collection schedule is changed for this month only, as Easter is on April 24, which is the fourth Sunday. Bags will be distributed the weekend of April 9; please return them the weekend of April 16, filled with non-perishable pantry staples or paper goods. There are tags on the bag indicating special needs for the month. You may, of course, bring your donations in grocery bags you have at home. The cabinets in the vestibules of the church can be used for your convenience if you want to drop off your bags at another time.

There were almost 180 bags collected in March, along with some cash and gift cards. Grocery store gift cards and cash donations are always appreci-ated; they may be placed in envelopes addressed to Food for Friends, and brought to the conference room at the rear of the church the weekend of April 16.

God bless you for your continued support.

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Palm Sunday - Mass - Saturday: 5:30 pm Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, & 12:00

Holy Thursday - 7:30 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Adoration until 11:00 pm 11:00 pm - Night Prayer

Good Friday - 9:00 am - Morning Prayer 12 - 3 - Prayer, Music & Reflection 7:30 pm - Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

Holy Saturday - 9:00 am - Morning Prayer

Note: There are no afternoon confessions and no 5:30 pm Mass

The Great Easter Vigil 8:15 pm

Easter Sunday - Masses in Church - 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 & 12:00 - Masses in Gym - 9:00 and 10:30 am

APRIL 17-24

ATTENTION!! EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

The sign-ups for Holy Week Services and all Easter Masses have been posted in the sign-in room. Please check you calendars and sign-up for the Services you plan to attend. There are Masses on Easter Sunday in both the Church and the gym so we need as many of you as possible to serve.

HELP NEEDED FOR GOOD FRIDAY

Adults are needed for the stations of the cross on Good Friday from 11:30 to 1:00 (stations are from 12:00 to 1:00). We will be doing the shadow stations. If you are available, we would appreciate your help. We also need readers. We will practice on Tuesday, April 19 at 1:00 for one hour.

BLESSING OF FOOD

The blessing of food (an Eastern European tradition) will take place on Holy Saturday morning following Morning Prayer at 10:30 a.m. in the church. The food that is blessed will break our Paschal Fast as we celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Easter eggs, ham and sausages, horseradish, butter, cheeses, bread and cakes are just some of the traditional foods that are brought in a basket for blessing. This food is then eaten on Easter Sunday morning in celebration of the Resurrection. Please join us for this blessing.

“SAVE THE DATE”

Morning with Mary half day retreat will take place here at St Joan’s on

Saturday May 14th from 8:30 (mass) to 12:30.

Please email lizmooring@comcast.net

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RCIA The Third Scrutiny for the RCIA Elect and Candidates will take place at the 10:30 Mass on April 10th—Please keep the Elect and candidates in your prayers as they pray and reflect during these final weeks in their preparation for baptism and welcome into the Catholic Church.

Angela Frankel

I was raised a Lutheran and have a strong Christian faith foundation. My husband is Catholic, and when we moved to Danville 8 years ago our search for a church where we both felt at home lead us to St. Joan's. We decided to make this "our church" and to raise our 3 boys in the Catholic faith. I knew I would want to be able to worship as a family, to fully participate in the service by sharing the Eucharist, and after many years of worshiping at St Joan's this felt like the right time for me to learn more about the practices of Catholicism. I have always been drawn to Catholic rituals and tradition, and understanding these elements have helped me to deepen my spirituality. This has been an

enlightening journey, and I feel blessed to be able to grow my faith by becoming Catholic and to officially join this wonderful community of St. Joan's.

Maggie MacGregor In fun, I blame my husband for getting me hooked on Catholic Radio! In reality, Catholicism has appealed to me for many years, ever since I attended a Catholic Mass with a good friend in England in the 1980s. I fell in love with the ritual; I found it helped me feel closer to God. I also want to feel part of a community with strong beliefs and convic-tions about family life. I believe that the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus set up through Peter and I look for-ward to being a full member of a Church that stretches back to Jesus.

Robert Schwerin

For several years I have wandered aimlessly in my spiritual life. I was raised in a Christian -non Catholic environment for most of my life, but not involved for the last 25 or so years. Then I met my wife. She is a devout Catholic. She recently started to attend Mass and I started to accompany her. I felt a strong need to learn more about the Catholic Church, that is why I am here today.

Erin Starkweather I want to be confirmed because I would like to follow the path God made for me and to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

St. Joan of Arc Book Group

The Book Group invites you to experience the growth of the early church with us by reading and discussing The Acts of the Apostles this month. We will meet on Thursday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m. in Classroom 1. We are asking everyone who attends to bring a question for discussion.

Please call Meg Monaghan at 803-8830, or email her at mmonaghan@pacbell.net if you have any questions.

Young Adult Ministry is an outreach service of

St. Joan of Arc Parish to women and men in their twenties and thirties, married and single.

Young Adult Ministry has a very simple purpose - to put adults in contact with each other and to offer some alternatives to what is experienced in our culture.

If you are interested or if someone you know is interested please contact Fr. Ian Mendoza

at (925) 830-0600.