First Sunday of Advent

by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B.  |  12/01/2024  |  A Message from Our Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

On this First Sunday of Advent, the universal church begins its new liturgical year with the cycle of feasts and fasts that continue to shape us into God’s holy people. Here at St. Joan of Arc, it has been our tradition to offer a brief summary of the growth of our parish.

To date, St. Joan of Arc has 1857 registered families which includes 83 new families (1 or more persons) added from the prior year for a total of 5100 parishioners. That is great news! We have also increased our weekly attendance at the Sunday Eucharist by 2.8%. Enrollment has also increased at our school bringing it to a total of 380 students. Our Religious Education program has taken a new approach by holding its classes on Sunday with the hope that families will also attend one of the Sunday Masses.

The enhancement of our worship space is truly glorious and has made our liturgical participation (which was always full and conscious) even more meaningful and engaging.

Our care ministry to the sick and homebound as well as our various modes of outreach to the marginalized and needy continue to be a powerful witness to our parish’s fidelity to the command of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves.

The good news is that after one-hundred years, St. Joan of Arc Parish continues to thrive despite the challenges that face all religious institutions. The two main reasons for this ongoing growth are, the generosity of our parishioners and the abundant grace of God. I ask all of you to continue your support of our parish by means of prayer as well as the gifts of your time, talent and treasure. We are ever mindful that we are only giving back to God what God first gave to us.