During the season of Lent, we have scheduled the following confession opportunities:

Mondays: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Wednesdays: 5:00 PM - 5:50 PM

Saturdays: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Sacrament is celebrated in the Sr. Carol Center; signs are posted in the Gathering Place with further directions.

There will also be two communal penance services in the SERF Vicariate. These are communal penance services with individual confession. These have been scheduled for:

Monday, March 27, 2023, at St. Joan of Arc at 7:00 PM

Monday, April 3, 2023, at St. Margaret of Scotland at 1:00 PM

As we have mentioned at the weekend masses, don't worry if you've forgotten the prayers or how to go to confession because we will guide you through it. And, it doesn't matter how long it has been since you've last gone to confession. Just come and experience the Lord's awesome gift of mercy!

From Ascension Presents: Confession is a place of never-ending mercy and forgiveness, and is one of the most beautiful parts of our Catholic faith. But for many, it can also be a very daunting experience, especially if it’s been a long time since your last confession. Whether it’s the first time you’ve gone in a year, or it’s the first time you’ve gone in your life, God is ready and willing to forgive your sins. All we have to do is let him into our hearts.

In the following video, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how to approach going to confession for the first time in a long time.

In an online article by Caroline Harvey entitled, "Stations of the Cross: A Lenten Tradition of Love," she writes, "There are certain Lenten practices that are so customary or traditional that without them Lent would not be Lent. This is the same for most holidays and celebrations—what is Christmas without a Christmas tree or Nativity scene, or a birthday with a cake, candles and singing? With Lent, Catholics are used to the announcements after Mass about Friday fish fries, reconciliation services, and the praying of the Stations of the Cross.

Traditions can become so commonplace, so normal, that we may not even know why we are doing them. Why do we have a Christmas tree? Why do we use candles to show how old someone is on their birthday? Or, why do we watch the priest or deacon walk around the church as we kneel and stand during the Stations of the Cross? There is nothing wrong with upholding traditions for the sake of tradition; there is something dignified about respecting the actions and words that have been handed down to the current generations from generations past. However, with every tradition, there comes a moment when the person partaking in it recognizes the importance of the actions and the words, more than just for the sake of ancient repetition. This “coming of age”, so to speak, allows the person to enter into the mystery of the tradition and participate in it in a way that transcends time and space."

In this third week of Lent with The Ascension Lenten Companion, Fr. Toups reminds us that even if you haven’t maintained your spiritual exercises, it’s not too late to recommit—because nothing else will satisfy more than life in Christ.

No matter if you’re having a great Lent or struggling to keep your commitments, we all desire more. We search relentlessly for the one thing or one person which will make us happy. But there isn’t any one thing or any one person on this earth who will fulfill our every desire. We were made for a person, a particular person. The person of Jesus Christ.

In the gospel reading this week we meet the woman at the well. She has a similar story to many of us. Looking for the thing or person who will make her happy. Jesus intentionally pursues her. He knows exactly what he is doing when he pursues the woman at the well, and he knows what she is looking for. He wants to liberate her and free her. Jesus thirsts for and pursues us just as he did the woman at the well. God created a thirst in our hearts because we were made for more and to long for more.

If we pay attention to our hearts this Lent, we will notice we desire more. Let the Lord take you deep within your heart. Ask yourself, what do you really want in life? What are you really searching for? Do you want more?

SJA is moderating a Facebook group for our parishioners and friends embarking on the Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz and Ascension Press.

You can find the link to join on the SJA Facebook page or click the button below. We already have 90+ participants!

In this week’s Encountering the Word video, Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent. The readings are:

First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

Verse before the Gospel: John 4:42, 15

Gospel: John 4:5-42 or John 4:5-15, 19B-26, 39A, 40-42

Friends, on this Third Sunday of Lent, we are again getting back to spiritual basics, and the first reading from Exodus and the Gospel from John both focus on the symbol of water. Water in the Bible can be a negative symbol of destruction, but it can also be a positive symbol of life—not just physical life but the divine life of grace. Water for thirsty bodies symbolizes the water of grace for thirsty souls.

Missin’ the mark: Recently, I attended the funeral of Janice Thibodeau, the mother of Father Scott Thibodeau. She was a tiny little lady with a commanding presence in all aspects of life. She was hilarious to be around because she never minced words, especially when around her children. The Thibodeaus had five sons, one became a priest, and another is a permanent deacon. Mrs. Thibodeau was known for offering sage and direct advice to her sons.

During his homily at the funeral, Father Scott mentioned that his mom was known for sitting toward the back of church and “clearing her throat” loudly if either of her cleric sons preached too long. Moms of priests and deacons can get away with this stuff! But then, if you knew Father Scott, you wouldn’t be surprised if he said from the ambo, “Mom, I’ve got the microphone; I’m not done yet.”

But it’s also funny to hear moms of priests talk to one another! Recently, my mom shared with me a conversation she had with Kay Kosanke, the mother of Monsignor Chuck Kosanke. Monsignor Kosanke’s parents were parishioners of SJA up until a few years ago when they moved from their two-story house to a single-story home. My mom and Mrs. Kosanke swap stories all the time about life with their priest sons. I’ll admit we priests are a complicated breed.

As the story goes from this recent conversation, Mrs. Kosanke told my mom that Monsignor Kosanke was due over at the house for dinner at a particular time; but he called his mom and said he would be at least a half hour late. They waited patiently but then got a call that he couldn’t come at all because something else had come up. My mom quickly retorted, “Kay, I hear that all the time too from Mike. They ALWAYS have emergencies or something else going on. They say they will be here at 4 p.m. when you know full well you’ll be lucky to see them by 5 p.m.!”

Not too long ago, my mom and I were discussing all the excellent resources that exist that offer reflections on the daily and weekend mass readings. She was sharing some of her favorites with me and why they were her favorite sites. Whether we are on vacation or not, especially since she has been staying with me while she recuperates from her recent hospital stay, I hear snippets of what she is listening to on her phone. It’s pretty impressive to see all the spiritual resources she relies on and how much she prays throughout the day!

As our conversation continued, my mom started talking about one of her favorite scripture scholars, Jeff Cavins. I feature Jeff Cavins’ Encountering the Word videos from Ascension Press on my Sunday Email Update. Jeff is a phenomenal evangelist and author. He was a protestant minister for twelve years before reverting to the Catholic Faith. We’ve used his Bible Timeline system to assist with some of our bible study programs throughout the years. If you haven’t taken the time to watch these Encountering the Word videos, I encourage you to do so; all you have to do is click on the link in my Sunday email.

As my mom continued to share why she likes listening to these Encountering the Word videos by Jeff Cavins on the Sunday readings, she revealed one of the TOP reasons for doing so. She looked me squarely in the eyes and said with a tinge of laughter, “Because sometimes you guys miss the mark altogether and I need another perspective!” I burst out laughing. But it is true; I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes we miss the mark! Yes, moms of priests can get away with saying this stuff, and in doing so, they also help keep us humble!

Opportunities for Confession: Lent and Advent, because they are both penitential seasons, allow us to be more intentional about looking at our lives to determine where we have failed to be faithful and holy disciples and then resolve to seek the Lord’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When was the last time you celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful encounter between you and Christ. Through the ministry of the priest, you encounter Jesus’ forgiveness as well as words of encouragement and counsel about how best to walk the path of virtue. I’ve never known of anyone who has left the confessional feeling sad. You can’t help but be overwhelmed and uplifted after experiencing the incredible gift of the Lord’s forgiveness.

What saddens me is the number of people who stop going to confession because they forgot how to do so or use the excuse they don’t remember the act of contrition. It’s pretty easy. One shouldn’t be so concerned about knowing all the steps. The easiest thing to do is admit to the priest that you don’t remember what to do or don’t remember the act of contrition. We are here to help you through the entire process. Even if you haven’t gone for years or decades, don’t be afraid of approaching a priest to celebrate the sacrament. It truly is a beautiful sacrament and one that brings so much healing. You’ll be welcomed! You’ll be encouraged. Most importantly, you’ll be forgiven!

When going to confession, you start by making the sign of the cross while saying, “Bless me, Father for I have sinned. My last confession was …” At this point, you should indicate your state in life (married, single, etc.) and then state your sins. After giving some counsel, the confessor will give you a penance and ask you to make an act of contrition. The act of contrition doesn’t have to be the one many of us memorized as a kid. The act of contrition can be as simple as, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The confessor will then pray the words of absolution.

During Lent, we have scheduled some additional confession opportunities. On Monday afternoons, Father Andrew and I will be available from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., and then Fr. Rich, Fr. Andrew, and I will be available on Wednesdays from 5:00 until 5:50 p.m. (mass is then celebrated at 6:00 p.m.). Our regular Saturday confession schedule will remain the same at 11:00 a.m. The sacrament is celebrated in the Sr. Carol Center. You’ll see a series of numbered chairs near the bathrooms when you arrive at the Sr. Carol Center. Just take the next available chair, and the line will move as people celebrate the sacrament. If you want to go to a specific confessor, wait until that confessor is available (you’ll let the person next to you go ahead of you until the confessor you want is free). You can celebrate the sacrament face-to-face or behind a screen so there is some anonymity. Please don’t fret about all the particulars; we’ll guide you through it. Just come and experience the incredible gift of the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness!

Coming to the Well: Today’s Gospel is one of the longest Gospel passages read at Mass all year. But there is so much in it from which we can learn.

Jacob's Well is the location of this meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. The woman is not named in the Gospel because she stands in the place of all of us. The Orthodox Church tradition names her as Photini, the name she took at her baptism following her conversion. Tradition later has her killed as a Christian martyr and she lends her name to the Church that currently stands on the site of Jacob’s well, St. Photini. In the crypt of this Greek Orthodox Church, is Jacob’s Well. The site is a Christian Holy site and a place of pilgrimage.

In the course of this conversation between the Samaritan woman and Jesus, in a totally unexpected way, God intervened in the life of this woman. That is precisely how our God operates in your life and mine.

The Samaritan woman must have come to that well many times before as she went about with her daily chores. However, this time was different. Her life was touched by Jesus. Her physical thirst was transformed into a deeper thirst for God. She could have rejected the kindness of Jesus. After all, this man was a Jew, and the Jews and Samaritans never had anything to do with each other.

But she did not reject Him. And she did not refuse to enter into the conversation. She eventually recognized Him, as Lord and Savior, precisely as He revealed her sinfulness to her—twice saying: “Come see a man who told me everything I have done.”

In his Letter on the Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia), Pope Francis challenges each of us to act more and more like Jesus when we encounter individuals and family situations in need of healing like that of the Samaritan woman. He writes that this is the "preaching and attitude of Jesus, who set forth a demanding ideal yet never failed to show compassion and closeness to the frailty of individuals like the Samaritan woman or the woman caught in adultery."

What about us? Are we truly open to the voice of Jesus as the Samaritan woman was? Do we let Him tell us everything we ever did? Are we open to others who suffer and struggle in their marriages and families as Jesus was? Are we open to His merciful forgiveness in sacramental confession? Do we realize that the commitments made at Baptism must be renewed each day if we are to encounter Him concretely and intentionally and let Him encounter us each and every day of our lives, especially in these penitential days of Lent?

It can be easy to think maybe I was baptized 60 years ago and I come to Mass every Saturday at 4pm or Sunday at 10am and that’s all I’m supposed to do. That’s why this Gospel is so good for us to hear and takes place at this time of the year and the journey of our OCIA group. The members of this group are engaging daily and weekly in a conversation not unlike that which took place at the well that day. Jesus is introducing each person to His Father and a new source of quenching their thirst for life. It means often wrestling with the teachings of the Church in a way that perhaps the rest of us don’t do. And in the search, is found answers to questions that maybe the rest of us have never asked.

We commend our Elect for coming to the well and truly entering into this conversation with Jesus. They have now begun the Period of Purification and Enlightenment which focuses on their preparation to receive the Easter Sacraments. It is not easy to do this alone. Perhaps we take it for granted if we have been Catholic since being an infant. It takes courage and determination to make this journey later in life. And our duty as members of this community is to a encourage and accompany them. A smiling face a word of encouragement after mass, and our daily prayers are essential ways in which we can be Jesus at the well and support them.

Being a Christian means becoming a Christian ever anew—those numerous prayerful daily encounters with the “living water” within each of us and the many opportunities where we can offer Christ in our relationship with others.

Like that unforgettable experience of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, we too can experience the living Jesus in our day. In His very person, Jesus becomes our meeting place with God, our place of welcoming encounter and of accompaniment.

Jesus desires to, and can, change us as He changed her. And He desires that each one of us becomes more like Him in our daily encounters with those who are crying out to be accompanied by His life-giving and loving truth, whether they know it or not.

But notice the gentle way in which Jesus works with the woman. She doesn’t come to understand who He is and all He is saying immediately. But Jesus is patient. Jesus is a man without a home of His own, but He is the example of hospitality for us to learn from. He comes to her, meets her where she is, geographically and spiritually. He does not condemn her for the life she is living. But nor is He prepared to leave her in that place.

Far from the modern sentiment of our day that we don’t interfere and judge each other’s business, Jesus’ love for this woman means He calls out her sin—not to condemn her, but to challenge her to be greater. He encourages and accompanies her to a better place—a better life. When she comes to understand who Jesus is, how He knows her and what Jesus is offering her. She is freed from worldly concerns. She is freed from her sense of shame. She leaves behind the jar of water that she had come to collect, a sign that she has found something more valuable. She is no longer concerned about her physical thirst.. She has come to this place, sacred to all Samaritans, who trace their heritage back to Jacob, but here found something far more sacred.

She has been called the first Christian preacher because she runs to tell others about Jesus. She leaves her water jar behind—just as the disciples left their fishing nets—a sign of her complete embrace of this calling to follow Jesus. She returns to her town and effectively shares her own experience with Jesus, inviting the villagers to come and see if they reach the same conclusion about him.

As baptized Christians, that is our daily task and challenge: to embrace the path of discipleship, no matter our history and how far we may have strayed from the Lord in the past. And then, embracing God’s call to us, we walk with each other in our respective journeys of faith and, at times, to challenge each other, in love, to be better. We are to invite others to put aside worldly distractions and to come and drink from the well of God’s grace.

adawson@sjascs.org 

Have you ever heard someone state, ” I believe in God, but I don’t believe in prayer?” Is it logical to have an intellectual belief in the existence of God but not trust in His providence and care?

Today Fr. Mike challenges us to know God more than just knowing about God and to realize that belief alone is not enough. God is not some cosmic genie who doles out magic wishes but a loving Father who wants to meet us in the intimacy of prayer. Do you believe that?

18) Words on the Word: March 12, 2023 - Here’s Hoping 

People, by and large, are incredibly resilient.

Folks can handle illness, grief, depression, career setbacks, domestic problems – all manner of setbacks and obstacles – as long as at least one thing is evident: hope.

In most of those scenarios, and others, too, there generally is some hint of hope evident on the “other side,” whatever and whenever that may be. It’s only when hope is lost that things turn particularly bleak.

Headlines were made a few weeks ago about a woman serving a life-without-parole prison sentence in a 30-year-old case. The details of what took place three decades ago aren’t as important, for now, as the current developments.

The 55-year-old woman, according to a report in The Detroit News, is requesting, through her attorney, that her sentence be reduced. After that request was quickly denied, the woman’s attorney quickly asked authorities to take a closer look, based on the woman’s efforts over the last 30-years.

“I’m asking that you give (the prisoner) that little inkling,” the attorney was quoted as saying. “That little crack in the door where she can have hope.”

Again, the merits and details of the case aside for the moment – and with consideration to the loved ones of the victim in the case – it’s fair to say we all need hope. And, thanks be go God, we have it, especially in the most important matters. Eternal matters.

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, though whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God,” St. Paul writes to the Romans in today’s second reading.

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts.”

That’s it! You’re in. Now you can get the free FORMED app for your phone by searching FORMED Catholic in your app store.

Are you looking for a one-stop app for prayer and meditation? Look no further than Hallow. Hallow is an awesome prayer app. Hallow is a Catholic prayer and meditation app that helps users deepen their relationship with God through audio-guided contemplative prayer sessions. The app launched 2 years ago and is already the #1 Catholic app in the world.

To get started, simply click the button above/below to activate your free account on the Hallow website. Make sure to select “Sign Up with Email” when registering. For step-by-step instructions, you can visit this process guide. Enter the code stjoanofarcmi to obtain a discount on individual pro plans.

7:00 a.m., Dorothy Shuder

7:00 a.m., Dorene Oster

7:00 a.m., Marjorie Whiteley

6:00 p.m., A Special Intention for Pat Adamcik

7:00 a.m., Joan Linden

7:00 a.m., Aniello Mazzella

4:00 p.m., Bonnie Batche, the deceased members of the Batche Family, Joan Weber, Dr. Lori Karol, Christopher Weingartz, Edward, Helen & Henry Blind, Gerald Ellar, Virginia Curran, the deceased members of the Gore Family, Frank Nagy, and Special Intentions for the J. Champine Family, for the Thomas Family, for the people of Turkey and Syria, for Debbie & Smokey Mortus, for the Muer and Thurber Families, for Dennis Nehro and for Karen McMahon

6:00 p.m., Rob Finn, Evan Battani and Robbie Battani

8:00 a.m., For the Intentions for St. Joan of Arc Parishioners

10:00 a.m., Jose’ Silva

12:00 p.m., Italo Binelli

10:00 AM - Funeral for Arthur Lawrence (Read Obituary HERE)

Thursday (March 16):

Friday (March 17):