 In the spirit of Stewardship, our parish tithed a total of $36,000 this year.
Financial gifts were presented to these organizations:
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 On October 6th & 7th a special collection for Disaster Relief was taken in response to the request by the USCCB for all Dioceses to take up a Special Collection for those impacted by Hurricane Florence and other natural disasters. Due to short notice we were not able to give sufficient notice and there were not many donations received. Please be aware that if you are interested in supporting this effort, you can still bring contributions to the parish office, drop them in the collection basket at Masses this weekend, or contribute through our Online Giving Program.
In a letter to the U.S. Bishops, USCCB President Cardinal DiNardo, wrote: “Given the patterns of recent years, it is reasonable to expect much more unpredictable weather and an increasing number of natural disasters. As we often do in these situations, I suggest we take up a special collection for the humanitarian, long-term recovery, and Church needs arising from these storms. In anticipation of more disasters awaiting us this year, I ask that we make a special appeal for the ongoing disasters of 2018 and that we each take up the collection as soon as possible so that those most in need can receive assistance quickly The funds collected in this special appeal for 2018 Disasters will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and/or Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church, as they and their local agencies respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter, and medical care and aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church. Funds will be used in response to Hurricane Florence and any other natural disasters that occur this year.” We are appreciative of your financial contributions as well as your prayers for all those who are impacted by these natural disaster. *To make a donation through our Online Giving Program, click here.  We wish you safe travels and much fun during your summer vacations! We know you’ll be out of town for a few Sundays this summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t participate through your regular tithes. With our Online Giving Program you can contribute from wherever you are - and you can even set up payments in advance if you like! When you give online, it helps our parish to meet our budget, even when attendance is low, which ensures we can continue our services and programs throughout the entire year.
Please keep us in mind this summer!  Please be advised that our Online Giving Program will be temporarily unavailable on Tuesday, March 13 starting at 2:00 AM due to maintenance updates. This planned outage is anticipated to take up to 7 hours to perform and should be back online by Tuesday, March 13 at 9:00 AM.
During this maintenance window, please be aware that you will not be able to log into or access our Online Giving Program. We apologize for the inconvenience and greatly appreciate your patience. Many blessings to you!  Bulletin sponsorships are essential to our parish's communication efforts. The weekly bulletin is the primary source of communication our parish has to get information to parishioners on a regular basis. The cost of producing a publication like this each week would be a financial hardship if it wasn't for our bulletin sponsorship program. We are so very grateful for the generosity of our bulletin sponsors! If you would like more information about becoming a bulletin sponsor for St. Joan of Arc Church, please contact Mike Jurosky at (717) 648-5996 or email: mjurosky@Diocesan.com  The Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal is used to fund the many ministries of Bishop Gainer in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Each parish is assessed an amount to be paid to the diocese depending based on the size of the parish and our previous fiscal year’s income. We are the third largest parish in the diocese and last year, if you remember correctly, we had a good year from a financial standpoint. Because of that, our assessment for the Lenten Appeal is large: $264,300. But I know we can make it if we are all in this together! (Part of my job as pastor is to be a cheerleader for all the things we have to do! Rah! Rah!) For the past couple of years, I have been making a special plea to those who have not given to the Lenten Appeal. That plea is especially important this year. We cannot expect the same people to do the lion’s share of the work of the Church year after year after year. Please be generous this year! Do what you can. Pledge something. Be part of the team. All this goes to doing great work in bringing the Kingdom of God into our little part of the world here in the Diocese of Harrisburg. God bless! Father Al *You can read the Bishop's full letter for this year's Appeal here
**To make a donation online, please click here  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.
 Next weekend we will have our annual Missionary Co-Operative Appeal. This year we have Father Paul Prabel from the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky. The missionary activity involves working with some of the poorest individuals and families in the United States. This former bishopric of our own Bishop Gainer is set in the heart of Appalachia. Our own missionary efforts from our parish through the Father Beiting Mission helps us realize how desperate the needs are of our brothers and sisters in Kentucky. When I was there last year I was shocked at the amount of poverty right in our own country. Please be generous this year. The sacrifice you make can do major good for people whose lives are so different from our own. Remember the words of Jesus as you make your contribution this year: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers or sisters, so you do unto me!” Father Al  You can learn more about this mission here.
 About the Diocese St. John Paul II established the Diocese of Lexington on March 2, 1988, erecting it from portions of the Archdiocese of Louisville and the Diocese of Covington. The diocese encompasses an area the size of Maryland, Delaware, and Rhode Island combined, half of which is in the heart of Appalachia. Roman Catholics comprise over 44,000 of the 1.5 million people in the area or 3% of the overall population, concentrated primarily in the larger cities and towns. Of the 60 parishes in the diocese, roughly 40 rely on external funding to meet daily expenses. 12 parishes are missions to other parishes in the region. Thee diocese offers the Mission and Ministry Program, providing over $1 million annually for applicant parishes, schools, and outreach ministries in the mountains. A Snapshot of the Diocese of Lexington The mountains of Eastern Kentucky and the rolling hills of the Central Kentucky’s Bluegrass region are places of contrasts. The natural beauty and richness of the land belie the grinding poverty and desperation that also exists there. Some wealth stands cheek-to-jowl with deprivation… fine homes next to decrepit manufactured homes. Businesses trade in the same communities where a virtual barter economy still reigns. Beautiful vistas reside by devastated landscapes. The extraction industries, mining and logging—long the life blood of the region, are dwindling, along with their dangerous but well-paying jobs. Minimum wage jobs are the norm. Many young people leave the area for greater opportunities. Unemployment rates in most of the Appalachian counties run to 25% or more. Poverty afflicts over 30% of the population. Educational attainment is low, with over 75% of people over the age of 20 lacking a high school diploma. Access to healthcare professionals is well below the national average. Wolfe County, Kentucky, consistently ranks as one of the poorest counties in the United States, with a poverty rate of almost 31%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Beyond the urban areas, Catholics account for less than 1% of the population. While most people in the region self-identify as Christians, some 60% are unchurched. Outreach ministries of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington - in all of these areas: education, material assistance, healthcare, etc. - are likely the only contact the needy will ever have with a religious community. · 16,426 Square Miles · 50 Counties · 44,303 Members · 60 Parishes · 2 Oratories · 43 Active Diocesan Priests · 17 Active Religious Order Priests · 85 Deacons · 45 Women Religious · 9 Seminarians · 1 Accredited Secondary School · 13 Accredited Primary Schools · 13 Federal & State Prisons  About Today’s Presenter: Fr. Paul Prabell: A native of Kentucky, Fr. Paul Prabell has served in Central and Eastern Kentucky for 45 years. He has served as a parish priest, campus minister, and director of priests’ personnel. He presently is serving as the rector of Christ the King Cathedral in Lexington.
 Youth from our parish Life Teen group will be traveling to Mishawaka, Indiana with Catholic Heart Work Camp to assist those in need from June 10-16th. A few of our parish youth have not been able to fundraise the full amount needed to cover the cost of their Summer Mission Trip. This is a great opportunity to help a teenager make a difference while offering a teen the unique experience of serving and growing alongside their peers.
If you would like to make a contribution towards sponsoring one of these teens, you can donate online, send a check to the parish office marked "Mission Trip" or contact John Triscik. All donations are greatly appreciated and 100% tax deductible. Pictures and a summary of the Mission Trip will be shared once the group returns in July. We are excitedly awaiting to see all they will accomplish this year! As always, your prayers are also much appreciated! *The donation link above will direct you to our Youth Donation page. If you prefer to contribute through your Parish Online Giving account, please click here. |
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