 Happy New Year! The first day of January is a two-fold celebration for us Catholics. We ring in the New Year with gratitude for the year that is past with all its blessings and look forward to the year that is just beginning and hope for prosperity, good health and peace. But today we also celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. We honor her through whom we have received our Savior Jesus Christ. What a wonderful role model and example we have in Mary! On this day, let us use Mary as the model for our New Year resolutions:
May this new year of 2017 be a time of grace and peace and joy! God bless you! Father Al
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Our Youth Minister, John Triscik, captured this beautiful image of our altar. If you have any pictures you would like to share, please send them to communications@stjoanhershey.org  
  Merry Christmas! The Season is upon us in which we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The priests, deacon, sisters, and parish staff wish you a joy-filled, peaceful and loving Christmas Season. I personally want to welcome all of our visitors to our parish at this time of year. Please know that you are always welcome. At this time of year, the Lord calls people to the Church who may have gone astray. Know that you too are welcome and if there is anything we can do for you here at St. Joan of Arc to help you participate more fully in the life of the Church we will do it! The gift of faith is a precious one and, whether that faith is strong or weak, the Church is here to assist you in coming to know and love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate today. May God bless you and all our parishioners during this special time of year!
Father Al  Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Saturday, December 31st - Vigil Mass: 5:15pm
Sunday, January 1st - Masses: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, 12 Noon, 5:30pm
December 24, 2016: Christmas Vigil Masses
5:00 PM Church 5:15 PM Gymnasium - Overflow to Cafeteria 5:30 PM Cafeteria - Overflow to Cafeteria 8:00 PM Church 12:00 PM Church - Music begins at 11:30pm December 25, 2016: Christmas Day Masses 9:00 AM Church 11:00 AM Church  Parish Office Hours: Christmas 2016 The parish office will close for Christmas at noon on Friday, December 23rd. It will remain closed through December 27th and will reopen on December 28th at 8:00am.
For New Years the parish office will close at Noon on Friday, December 30th and reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd.  Nominations for Pastoral Council are open through January 31st. There are currently five seats open on St. Joan of Arc’s Parish Pastoral Council. Each position will serve a three year term.
What does the Parish Pastoral Council do? The role of the Council is to:
Who can become a Parish Pastoral Council member? To become a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, a nominee must:
How do I volunteer or nominate someone? To volunteer yourself or to nominate a fellow parishioner:
Questions? You can visit the pastoral council page of our website for a list of current members whom you can contact to learn more about serving on the Council.  It is rare that we have a full four weeks of Advent but since Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, we are blessed. Take this week to do one or more of the following:
1. Read the Christmas story from either Saint Luke or Saint Matthew 2. Take some quiet time to take a deep breath and prepare spiritually for Christmas 3. Pray that this will be a peaceful Christmas for you and your family 4. Come to the Advent Penance Service (Sunday night) and go to confession 5. Do an act of kindness without anyone knowing about it but you and God 6. Remember that the first Christmas was anything but perfect; don’t expect perfection in yours 7. Decide now what Mass you and your family are going to for Christmas 8. Fast from all the sweets and treats; you will savor them more at Christmas 9. Thank God for all of the blessings in your life, especially family and friend. 10. Take another deep breath, say a prayer, and relax May God bless you this final week of Advent! Remember the reason we celebrate: Jesus the Lord! Father Al  ST. JOAN OF ARC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!!!.
Would your family be interested in participating in a late June VBS here at St. Joan's? Would you send your child, sign up to volunteer (adults and teens), help to plan and execute (many hands and ideas are needed)? Mornings or Evenings? We'd like to hear from you. Please send your thoughts - make your voice heard! Those who express an interest in planning will be invited to a meeting in the new year. Contact Marcie at mwarner@stjoanhershey.org or call 533-7168 Ext. 112. Thanks! |
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