 Next week we celebrate Our Annual Eucharistic Devotions here at St. Joan of Arc. Known also as “Forty Hours”, we come together as a parish family to recognize the great gift we have in the Holy Eucharist. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on the altar calls us to take time from our busy schedule, make a visit to the church during this time and, if possible, make the evening devotions. Please sign up for a half hour of adoration at the back of the church.
Starting on October 6th, we will have our First Friday Exposition in the Saint Lucy Chapel in the new parish Center. Immediately after the nine o’clock Mass we will gather in the chapel and expose the Blessed Sacrament. We will continue with Evening Prayer and Prayer for the Sick at 7:00 pm and Night Prayer at 9:45 pm. We will do this during October, November and December and then assess how it is working for the new year. There are two reasons why we are doing this: first, the chapel is a much more intimate space and, second, there are times when no one is in the church when the Blessed Sacrament is on the altar which is strictly forbidden by the Church. In the Parish Center, there are people around all the time which is necessary for prolonged adoration. We really have a week dedicated to the Holy Eucharist! Stop in and make a visit! Father Al
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  *Note: The photo above of the painting reflects the images on the opposite sides of they are on the actual painting.
Last week we unveiled the painting that will grace the chapel in our new Parish Center. Entitled “Sacra Conversazione”, it is an image of the Communion of the Saints. Surrounded by heavenly, golden light, at its center is the Madonna and Child. Mary, clothed in red, the color of the Holy Spirit of whom she was overshadowed at the Incarnation, sits on a marble plinth on which is carved a “fleur-de-lis”, the “flower of the lily”, a symbol of her purity. She presents to the saints below and to us, Jesus, her Son and our Lord, who opens his arms in a loving embrace. To the left of the painting we see Saint John the Evangelist (the original patron of our parish) holding the Gospel. At his feet is the golden eagle, a symbol of him and his high-flying Christology. Below is Saint Lucy (in honor of Saint Lucy’s chapel in Waltonville). She holds her martyr’s palm and her own eyes, cruelly removed in her martyrdom. She now sees with a celestial light (her name means “light”). At her feet to the right we see our own patroness, Saint Joan of Arc. Her helmet removed and her sword pointing down, she has put her earthly battles behind her and now enjoys eternal life. Standing above her is Saint Stephen, wearing his deacon vestments, his hair in the tonsure of a cleric. He holds the symbols of his martyrdom - the stones which took his life. Following the tradition of Renaissance art, a reference to the donor of the painting is included in the art. Saint Stephen is a reference to the parishioner who donated this beautiful work of art, who wishes to remain anonymous. Please come to the chapel to gaze upon this piece of sacred art. May you recognize that you too are called to be part of the “sacred conversation” with the saints in heaven and, especially, with our Lord and his Mother! Father Al  Director of Music for St. Joan of Arc Church:
This position is responsible for planning, coordinating and executing the music program at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Must be accomplished in the following areas: organ, piano/keyboard, voice, and choral direction. This position requires a mature, professional, responsible, committed individual with excellent communication (oral and written) skills as well as excellent organizational and managerial talents. Hours and salary negotiable. Experience in direction of music for Catholic liturgies preferred. Interview and audition are required. To request an interview, complete the form on our parish website here or contact Father Al Sceski at (717) 533-7168, ext. 102.  Please join us on September 16th or 17th following each Mass for an Open House to experience our newly renovated spaces. The Parish Center, as well as the “new” Convent that was completed last summer (located behind the Parish Center), will be open to give parishioners an opportunity to walk through. Plan to stop by for a visit!
 We congratulate & rejoice with these couples of our parish community
whom recently united in marriage: Louis Mione, III & Brittney Kanode Timothy Dollard & Gillian Roach  Our parish community welcomes these newly baptized children of God:
Ava Easton, Michael Morris, Zelie Bergbauer, Conway Felty  Happy Labor Day! As we (hopefully) take a rest from our labors this weekend, we give thanks for the ability to work. Although the Book of Genesis tells us that labor is a result of the fall, Saint John Paul II reminded us in his encyclical Laborens Exercens that work gives our lives meaning and is a way of building God’s kingdom here on earth.
I want to thank all those who labored mightily to renovate the former convent into our new Parish Center. In a special way, I thank Dr. Barbara Hasson, our parish manager who retired on Friday, and Matt Dunkle, our parish Maintenance Supervisor, who did a great job in coordinating the work that needed to be done. The Parish Center is looking great. We will be having an Open House for the Parish Center and the new convent (directly behind the Parish Center) on the weekend of September 16-17. Please feel free to tour both places after all Masses that weekend. I am sure that you will agree that both are jobs well done! Father Al  Our parish community welcomes these newly baptized children of God:
Ava Easton Michael Morris Zelie Bergbauer Conway Felty  A special collection is being held in all parishes of the Diocese of Harrisburg this weekend for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. This is a part of the U.S. Catholic Bishops emergency collection to assist the millions of persons affected by this unprecedented catastrophic weather event. Please pray for the families that have lost loved ones and all who have lost homes and businesses along with their sense of peace and normalcy. Your prayerful and financial support is urgently needed. Please give generously.
 The Parish Office will be closed September 3rd & 4th, in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am.
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