“They are like sheep without a shepherd.” This is Jesus' remark when he sees the mass of wounded humanity that was following him. A good question might be: What most pricked his compassion - the physically sick or those whose tortured souls drove them to hatred and violence? Another question, certainly not a new one, and in fact a question never fully answered might be: Has organized religion done more evil than good in this world? I never know how to answer that question, which seems odd for someone whose career choice or vocation depends on organized religion. Like many a good Protestant before me, I see the connection between Church and State, beginning with Constantine, as an evil which only recently has begun to diminish. The hierar-chical system it has bred is beginning to diminish, but we continue to live with its corruption and misuse of power. Of course you could also ask: If the Church had not had the political clout it did, would even more evil have ensued? Where was/is the happy medium? One of the pivotal books in my life was called The Proud Tower by Barbara Tuchman, a short history of Europe from approximately 1870 - 1914. The title comes from a line in Edgar Allan Poe's poem “The City by the Sea”, ‘While from a proud tower in the town / Death looked gigantically down.’ The point of the poem was that, historically, society was so convinced of its wisdom and rational-ity that it missed the seeds of its destruction - the wretchedness of the masses, injustice of its distribution of wealth and its insane militarism. At the height of its rationality it attempted to de-stroy itself with almost 40 years of war and genocide. Whenever, I start to think of myself as a very wise sheep who does not need a shepherd, I have to ask myself: Who is fooling who? What disaster have I misread as wisdom?

Presider: Fr. Jim DeBruycker Pre-Mass Speaker: Today we welcome Iris Freeman, Adjunct Professor of Elder Justice and Policy at the William Mitchell College of Law and Board chair of the MN Elder Justice Center, speaking on My Grandparents' Legacy. Following the 11:00 Mass, SJA SAGES will host a presentation by Iris on Finan-cial Exploitation: The Crime of the 21st Century, in Hospitality Hall. Thank you for being with us! Today at the Gym liturgies our own guitarist and singer Lee Vague and singer, as well as National pickleball champion Rachael Kroog will offer their musical inspiration. Thank you and welcome!

Parking: Please be considerate of our neighbors and their property. Do not block driveways or park in their “on-street” handicapped areas. Thank You!

Please pray for the two delegations to Pine Ridge reservation. The first trip departs August 1

and returns August 7. The second trip departs August 8 and returns August 14. In total we will be sending 30 SJA members to Pine Ridge in these two trips. Through work projects and cultural immersion, we hope to develop relationships and stand in solidarity with the Lakota people. Please visit the courtyard in between Masses today to learn more about our project and our delegates and visit with some of the team members.

Sun, July 19: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34 Mon, July 20: Exodus 14:5-18; Matthew 12:38-42 Tue, July 21: Exodus 14:21-15:1; Matthew 12:46-50 Wed, July 22: Exodus 16:1-5,9-15; John 20:1-2,11-18 Thu, July 23: Exodus 19:1-2,9-11,16-20b; Matthew 13:10-17 Fri, July 24: Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 13:18-23 Sat, July 25: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Matthew 20:20-28 Sun, July 26: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15

Bud B., Sally Backstrom, Dennis Barta, Phyllis Berninger, Ron Bisson, Bob Brennan, Alex Briner, Sara Brock, Desmond Bryant, Don Burke, Lee, Mark & Palma Cady, Dorothy Casserly, James Cates, Dayna Cell, Dolores Cufaude, Denise, John D., Roger D., Steve Dargen, Beth Deciel,

Colleen Dooley, Florence Duchscher, Don Erpelding, John & Margaret & Karen Frees, Jim Gorman, Ralph Gotto, Bryen Granlund, Tom Griep, Tom H., Jennifer Hedberg, Betty Hinker, Jim & Pat Hinton, Ethan Hoeschen, Megan Hoffman, Amy Holland, Mary Hoody, Jody Hughes, Lee Hurd, Dan & Tom Jay,

Pat Jones, Paul Jonsson, Brian Kalahar, Glen Kelley, Brad King, Dan Kleber, Kirk L, Amy Lainus, Jim Lappen, Melinda Larson, Gary Lindstrom, Eileen Lund, Kyle M., Jennifer Magnuson, Marie Marschel, Rose McGonagle, Katherine & Lauren McManus, Jackie Mead, Chuck Meyers, Sharon Miller,

Dorothy Mongoven, Sid Monroe, Gene Muelken, Sarah Neal-Popa, Nate, Nick, Craig Norby, Pauline Norman, David Novitske, Olivia, Doris Oakes, Sr. Dolores Oaks, Judy O’Brien, Dick Olson, Paul Olvera, Rick Pattison, Roberta Pearson, Joan Penrose, Bill Peterka, John Pirola, Nikki Poynter,

Guy Prudden, Mary Ellen Rae, Salena Renfroe, Herb Rorke, Sheila Rossebo, Judy Roy, Helen Russett, Pat Sable, Conrad Sampair, Marianne Seekamp, Mac Shapland, Aileen Sheppard, Sam Slagerman, Emily Slotness, Sandra Smith, Jeff Stearns, Michelle St. Marie, Elizabeth Swanson, Jay Syverson,

Dick T., Irene Taddiken, Matthew Tenant, Mary Eve Thomas, Gregory Thomas, Echo Thoren, Madison Travers, Carin Vagle, Carol Whitlow, Dan Williams, Bill Willner, Phil Wixsten, Jim & Jerry Wohnoutka, Kathleen Ziegler, Zoe, Ava & Annemaire Zubrzycki, Val Zwak

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.

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.

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

Mental Health Ministry: Monday, August 10, at Bethlehem Luther-an, 4100 Lyndale Av. S., John Reardon, local therapist and counse-lor will present Life Transitions: Little Steps and Big Steps designed to assist parents/educators/concerned adults in supporting adoles-cents facing challenges in school. Light supper 5:45 pm, program 6:45 - 8:15 pm. All are welcome. 1.5 hours CEU's available for pro-fessionals. FFI contact Mary Ann Kelly-Wright at the Parish Center.

Recommended Reading: What Everyone Should Know About Stress. Find the pamphlet on the free literature rack in the Parish Resource Library.

BeFriender Ministry: All currently active BeFriender Ministers please mark your calendars for our next meeting on Saturday, August 15, 1 - 3 pm, in the Parish Center.

SJA/Trust Grief Support: On Thursday, July 23, in the Parish Center, Mary Ann Kelly-Wright will speak on The New Normal. 6:15 pm, registration and refreshments; 6:30 pm, speaker; 7 - 8 pm, facilitated small groups. FFI contact Jean Mills at 612.986.8217. Called to Care - A Forum for Those Touched by Memory Loss: Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 am -1 pm, presented by TRUST and hosted by Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Learn about supportive resources within the TRUST community and be inspired by stories from people who have lived the journey. Speakers from MN Council of Churches Dementia Friendly Congregations Program, Lyngblomsten's, The Gathering Program, Mount Olivet Day Services and Normandale Center for Healing and Wholeness. Free for caregivers; $10 for all others. Brochures available on bulletin boards or go to www.trusticn.org. FFI contact Nancy Biele at 612.827.6159.

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

New Fiscal Year Week of July 12: Actual $32,733 Budget $33,346 Prior Year Actual $32,667

YTD (July 1 - July 12): Actual $62,109 Budget $66,692 Prior Year Actual $65,335

Looking to Pray Together and not have to be at SJA? Looking for your sound of silence today? Download the app, “Insight Timer” and join the St. Joan of Arc Community group. Meditate with our community when it’s convenient for you! Let’s stay connected through prayer during the week.

: 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 Cooperative is a wonderful community of families and volunteers that allows parents to enjoy Mass and meet other young families. 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.

: (Grades 7-12) FFI contact Donelle

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

Grill Needed: The youth group needs a new grill! Do you have a gently used gas grill that you want to donate? Contact Donelle at dpoling@stjoan.com.

Donations Needed: Our Junior High students will be participating in a new camp that immerses students in various service projects across the Twin Cities. We will be making 450 sandwiches that will be delivered that night by Allan Law, founder of Project 363, who is better known in Minneapolis as “The Sandwich Man”. We need bread, lunch meat, and pre-sliced cheese. Please bring donations to the Parish Center by Monday, July 27. Thank you! FFI contact Kelley Deshler: kdeshler@stjoan.com.

: FFI contact Julie McConaha at

612.823.8205 ext. 226 or jmcconaha@stjoan.com

In Case You Missed It: Journalist and author John Thavis visited SJA on Tuesday, but you can still learn the inside scoop by following John at www.JohnThavis.com.

Double Feature: #SJA<40 invites all adults under 40 to not one, but two brunches! In addition to our Monthly Brunch time on Sunday, August 2 after the 11 am Mass, we invite you after the 9 am Mass as well! Tell us which one you'll attend on Facebook or Twitter @SJAUnderForty. Hosts: Kristina after 9 am, Rupa after 11 am.

Fall Yoga: Are you interested in a yoga class that would meet at SJA? Help us determine the details! Obtain a link to a quick survey at jmcconaha@stjoan.com. New or experienced, we need your input!

SJA Book Club: We are on hiatus - watch for our September book selection next month. Happy Summer!

Feeling Fortyish Lake Walk: Not quite Millennial, not quite Baby Boomer? Link with others at our new SJA Lake Nokomis weekly weeknight walking group! If you feel drawn to explore this activity, then it is for you! (We won't check your ID.) FFI contact Julie McConaha at jmcconaha@stjoan.com.

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

SJA EcoSpirits Adult Camp Coming Soon! Stop by our table on the plaza after Mass to learn more about our July 26 - 29 events and sign up to participate. We will have films, fascinating tours, and educational workshops to strengthen our conscious relation-ship to the land we live on. This is a great summer opportunity and you will meet wonderful fellow SJAers, too. Welcome Home, Team Oz: The Red Ribbon Ride concludes today at the State Capitol at 1:30 pm. Team Oz, a group of hardy SJA bike riders and crew members, will have completed nearly 300 miles to help raise money for 8 incredible Minnesota AIDS service organizations. We welcome Team Oz and all of the Red Ribbon Ride participants home with love and gratitude!

Nuclear Weapons: A Christian Response: On Monday, July 20, the Every Church a Peace Church network invites you to a potluck and presentation at 6:30 pm at St. Albert the Great Church (29th St. and 32nd Ave. So., Mpls).

SJA CARE Committee Report: Our CARE Committee provides emergency financial assistance to parishioners and neighbors to maintain their housing and keep utilities turned on. In the last 12 months: Our CARE Committee responded to over 400 calls for assis-

tance We were able to help 108 families remain in their homes We helped 21 families with utility bills Our committee members spend many hours serving in this ministry and working with families, landlords, utility companies and other vendors. We are supported by generous contributions to the SJA Outreach Fund - thanks to all our volunteers and donors!

A Conversation With Catholic Youth: Next Saturday, July 25, 9:30 - Noon, at St. Frances Cabrini Church (1500 SE Franklin, Mpls), join members of the LGBTQ+ Catholic Student Coalition as they talk about their efforts to create safe spaces in their high schools and share

their hope for their church. RSVP to artstoeberl@yahoo.com or 651.278.6630. Thank you!

SJA Justice Leaders: August 3 - 7, 4 SJAers - Ross Savage, Ron Joki, Mary Jo Malecha and Larry Moloney - will attend ISAIAH's weeklong leadership training, and we are deeply thankful for their commitment both to their own journey as powerful leaders of faith, and to SJA as a community that seeks to make a difference in the world. Our prayers go with you all!

Volunteers Needed: Simpson Housing Services (recent recipient of a Justice Grant from SJA) needs tutors to work with K-5th grad-ers on their reading skills this summer on Mondays or Wednes-days from 4 - 5 pm. The program runs July 8 - Aug. 19 and support and lesson plans are provided. You will help ensure that students are ready to start the school year! FFI contact Christina Giese at 612.455.0859 or cgiese@simpsonhousing.org. Thank you!

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

9 and 11 am Gym Masses:

July 26: Presider: Fr. Cassidy. Pre-Mass Speaker: Sydney Smith will share her reflections on Camp St. Joan.

August 2: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: John Philip Newell, author, poet, peacemaker, and scholar.

August 9: Presider: Fr. Cassidy

August 16: Presider: Fr. DeBruycker. Pre-Mass Speaker: Kathleen Groh, Ignatian Volunteer Corps, Mission Sunday.

John Philip Newell to Visit SJA: Our pre-Mass speaker on Sunday, Aug. 2 is author, peacemaker and theologian, John Philip Newell. He comes to us in partnership with Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality (www.wisdomwayscenter.org). He splits his time between Edinburgh, Scotland and the U.S., and is acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality. Please join us Aug. 2 to hear this visionary speaker!

Consider for Fall: Each August we put out the call for any-one who would like to explore becoming Catholic. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is our route for adult Confir-mation, First Communion and Baptism (if not already bap-tized). Classes begin in October and continue through Easter. It's a rich opportunity to explore your faith and the Church on your spiritual journey. Watch for more information in August or contact Julie, jmcconaha@stjoan.com. Cabaret 2015! It's coming! Mark you calendars for Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7! Tickets go on sale in September.

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.

Tuesday, July 21

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Happy Hour. 5 pm at Bunny’s in St. Louis Park

Thursday, July 23

Mass, 8 am in the Church

Camp St. Joan Celebration, 5 pm in the Gym

Grief Support, 6:30 pm in the Parish Center

Sunday, July 26

Eco-Spirits Adult Camp, 12 pm in the Upper Room

Today: Learn more from our pre-Mass speaker, Iris Freeman, after 11 am Mass in Hospitality Hall. Financial Exploitation: The Crime of the 21st Century is sponsored by SAGES. Bagels and resources await!

Choir: If you have not received your choir memory CD, A Mighty Wind, please pick one up at the Parish Center or contact Anna Vagle at 612.823.8205 x235.

SJA Happy Hour: Explore the social scene of our twin cities with fellow parishioners. Next up: Tuesday, July 21, 5 - 7 pm, Bunny's in St. Louis Park with hosts Ian and Julie Abel. To get all of the details email jmcconaha@stjoan.com. Rescheduled - New Member Dinner: The Wednesday,

July 22 New Member Dinner has been rescheduled. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday,

October 28, 6 – 8 pm. FFI, contact Mary McDonough at mmcdonough@stjoan.com or RSVP to the Parish Center at 612.823.8205. We look forward to celebrating your membership in the fall and are grateful that you have made St. Joan of Arc your spiritual home! Raffle Prizes Needed for our Oktoberfest luncheon on Satur-day, Sept. 19. The luncheon is celebrated at the conclusion of the Campus Clean-up morning. Last year’s Campus Clean-up volunteers were the lucky recipients of some very gener-ous and creative prizes! Are you able to donate a gift basket, or do you own a business or work for an employer who would be interested in donating goods, services, gift cards or certifi-cates as prize donations? FFI contact Mary McDonough, mmcdonough@stjoan.com or 612.823.8205 x238.

Great News from Mobile Loaves and Fishes! Hundreds

of our parishioners volunteer with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a joint outreach ministry between SJA and Knox Presbyterian Church that provides food to those in need in our community. MLF was just awarded

$17,500 from the Cities 97 Sampler. Sales of the Cities 97 Sampler CD raised $746,400 last year, which will be distribut-ed to many local charities (and the next sampler comes out in November). Our congratulations to all involved in this ministry and its wonderful mission, and thanks to Cities 97 for money that will provide 8500 meals! FFI on MLF contact mlf.mpls@gmail.com.

Adoptive Families Book Club: Join us at 10 am on Satur-day, August 22 at the Chicago Ave. Turtle Bread for a lively discussion about the anthology of birthmother stories, Silent Embrace: Perspectives on Birth and Adoption, by Ann Angel & Amanda Angel. FFI contact Gabrielle: gdane@stjoan.com. Hope to see you there!

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