Home
About Us
Education And Evangelization
Pre-School/Kindergarten
Ministries
Stewardship
Safe Environment
Sacraments
Weddings
Funerals
Liturgical Schedule
Our Lady's Guild
Congress
Pilgrimage
Bible Study
Soup and Sundaes
Secret Garden Lunch
Pray For Vocations
100 Years!
Footsteps of St. Paul Pilgrimage
Thank you for voting. Those interested in OLOJ’s Pilgrimage please call Vicki Hill at 480-346-3045 to receive information on the final itinerary inclusive of tours, hotels, flights, and cost for your further review.
Dear Parish Family,
Written by Fr. Patrick Farley on February 5, 2012
On Thursday, January 25th, 2012, Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix issued a letter addressed to all Arizona Catholics in response to the latest ruling by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") that will force nearly all employers in the U.S. to provide health insurance to their employees that includes services for sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception.
Bishop Olmsted is obligated to inform us that such services are fundamentally opposed to the doctrine of the Church, and forcing Catholic employers to provide for such services, and forcing Catholic individuals to purchase such services, is a clear violation of the religious liberty granted by the U.S. Constitution. As you can see, this latest ruling represents a serious threat to the consciences of all Catholics. Again, "… unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so)." While the impact of the latest HHS ruling may very well force many Catholic institutions to drop their insurance coverage, this does not mean the diocese or theparish will be forced to drop coverage for employees.
The Diocese, and Catholic parishes of course will be exempt from this law. I made an incorrect statement at the 5pm Saturday mass in regards to parish staff and loss of health insurance. I misspoke. I apologize for any confusion. Sunday's homily was different from Saturday. Diocesan/ parish employees can be confident that the Diocese will be able to continue to provide this important benefit for the immediate future. If we fail to act as Catholics, it will be Catholic Hospitals, Catholic Universities and Colleges as well as Social Outreach such as St. Vincent de Paul who will find themselves targets.
The latest ruling from the HHS stems from the principal health care reform legislations enacted by Congress and President Obama in 2010, which are the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act ("HCERA"). Among other things, PPACA requires employers to provide certain "preventative services," such as an annual physical or wellness exam, to their employees at no cost to the employees. When PPACA was initially enacted in 2010, the term "preventative services" was left undefined. The latest ruling by the HHS is meant to provide employers with the definition of preventative services under PPACA, and meant to describe the services that an employer would be required to cover at no cost to its employees, because those services are deemed "preventative" by the HHS.
In a nutshell, the HHS has now included abortion, contraception, and other sterilization procedures in the definition of preventative services, thereby mandating that employers provide such services for their employees.
The HHS guidelines do include a religious liberties exemption for certain employers, so that they can avoid providing these preventative services; however, the rules for qualifying for this exemption are so narrow as to make qualification very difficult, if not impossible for most U.S. employers.
Fortunately, PPACA includes a provision that allowed companies to "grandfather" their plans as of the effective date of the legislation. Grandfathering allows employers to avoid implementing many of the provisions of the PPACA, including the provision for covering preventative services as they are defined by the HHS.
Unfortunately, many employer plans in the U.S. are non-grandfathered, including those of Catholic institutions such as hospitals and universities, and these Catholic institutions do not meet the qualification for the religious liberties exemption in the latest HHS ruling.
The Plan of the Diocese is grandfathered under the provisions of PPACA, and the Diocese continues to administer the Plan so that the Plan will maintain grandfathered status. Therefore, the Diocese is not required to follow certain provisions of PPACA, and is not required to provide preventative services, as the HHS defines them.
PLEASE! Make sure to contact House and Senate representatives this week by mail, email, or by phone. PLEASE let them know how important religious liberty and rights of conscience are to Americans. This ruling from the Department of Health and Human Services is unjust for any person of faith. It is Un-American when our government dictates what products we will or won't own, particularly when the product violates the God-given, moral law.
In Christ, Fr. Patrick Farley
New Video - Catholic Education of Arizona
New Video - The New Roman Missal
The Catholicism Series with Fr. Robert Barron
Jan 10, 2012 to Apr 3, 2012 (9:00a - 10:30a)
OLOJ Adult Faith Formation presents: "The Catholicism Series" with Fr. Robert Barron. "The most important media project in the history of the Catholic Church in America." George Weigel, biographer of Blessed John Paul II Join us on Tuesday mornings at 9:00am for "The Catholicism Series" a ten-part video presentation by dynamic evangelist and theologian, Fr. Robert Barron beginning Tue, Jan 10 in the Our Lady of Joy Parish Hall.
Against a backdrop of some of the most beautiful religious art and architecture, this series takes us to points all over the globe on a fantastic journey through the rich world of Catholic tradition and history.
To watch a preview go to: http://www.catholicismseries.com.
Classes are Tuesday mornings from 9:00-10:30a
January 31
February 7, 14, 28
March 6, 13, 27
April 3, 2012
Come to some; come to all! Following the presentations there will be time for discussion and light refreshments.
[ Faith Formation ]
Confirmation Preparation Course
Jan 11, 2012 to Mar 28, 2012 (6:30p - 7:45p)
Our Lady of will be offering a six week Confirmation Preparation Course beginning in January 2012 for baptized Catholic adults who have received First Communion but need Confirmation.
Confirmation preparation session will be on the following Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45pm:
January 11 and 25
February 8 and 29
March 14 and 28
Candidates will be confirmed sometime in April or May. Teens and adults may contact Leighton Drake at 480-346-3042 or ldrake@oloj.org.
[ Faith Formation ]
Men's Bible Study: Book of Revelation
Jan 21, 2012
The last book of the New Testament is probably the most misunderstood book of the Bible. We're using the Revelation study authored by Dr. Scott Hahn and Mark Shea plus a five-lesson supplement series on the book, "Will Catholics Be 'Left Behind'?" by Carl E. Olson, which examines the false notion of a secret "rapture". The study can be purchased at http:// www.cssprogram.net/?page=catalog&study_id=3. You don't need to be a scholar to learn authentic Catholic teachings. Other than the book there is no cost.
We meet every third Saturday morning from 8:00-9:30 am at St Gabriel's. If you have questions, email us at MensBibleStudy@cox.net.
[ Faith Formation ]
Knitting & Crocheting Workshop
Feb 6, 2012 to Feb 27, 2012
Guild member and Shawl Ministry knitter, Lorraine Romanow and helpers will be giving 3 FREE knitting and crocheting workshops in the month of February from 10:00a-12:00p.
We will be meeting in room #3 in the parish hall. We have all of the materials (yarn and needles) so all you need to do is just come. Please rsvp to Lorraine at lromanow@cox.net or 480-748-1638.
[ Knit & Crochet ]
Our Lady's Guild Welcome Coffee
Feb 11, 2012 (10:00a - 12:00p)
Our Lady’s Guild is hosting a Newcomer’s Welcome Coffee on Sat, Feb 11, at 10:00a-12:00p. This is wonderful way to meet new friends and learn all about Our Lady’s Guild.
For information please contact Sharon Forbes at 480-363-5166 or sforbes3@gmail.com.
[ Our Lady's Guild ]
40th Anniversary Celebration
Feb 11, 2012 (6:00p)
40th Anniversary Celebration: Our Lady of Joy Parish
Soup and Sundaes - Sun, Feb 11 6:00 p.m. (after the Mass at 5:00p)
A Choice of 2 Soups will be served and "Make Your Own" Sundaes as dessert.
[ Special Mass/Event ]
Arizona Centennial Mass & Reception
Feb 12, 2012 to Feb 14, 2012
In honor of the Arizona Centennial, the public is invited to a special Mass with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted at noon at St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix. A reception and historical exhibit featuring the history of the Church in Arizona follows. Exhibit hours: 10:00a-1:00p, Sun, Feb 12; 10:00a-3:00p, Mon, Feb 13; 10:00a-4:00p, Tue, Feb 14 (Noon Mass with Bishop Olmsted).
[ Special Mass/Event ]
Help Want: St Vincent de Paul Kitchen
Feb 18, 2012 (8:00a - 12:00p)
We need help to feed the hungry at St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen on Sat, Feb 18 from 8:00a-12:00p.
The 3rd Saturday of every month, Our Lady of Joy volunteers work in the kitchen of SVDP's main facility at 420 W. Watkins, Phoenix. There are no special skills required, just the willingness to help prepare meals. They need about 10 volunteers each month.
To sign up to work on Sat, Feb 18, please e-mail Sue-Ellen Smith by Tue, Feb 14, at oljworksofmercy@hotmail.com or leave a message at 602-549-7585. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and wear closed-toe shoes in the kitchen. We always welcome past volunteers. Please contact Sue-Ellen each month to volunteer to ensure that there is enough space.
[ St. Vincent de Paul ]
Pre-Lenten Day of Reflection
Feb 18, 2012 (9:00a - 3:00p)
Join Fr. John H. Hampsch on Sat, Feb 18 from 9:00a-3:00p for a Pre-Lenten Day of Reflection in the Parish Hall. Father Hampsch will offer suggestions for healthy and helpful Lenten practices. This will be a special time of learning and reflection. Fr. Hampsch will follow join our Parish Family at prayer at the 5:00p Saturday Vigil Mass.
[ Lenten Activity ]
Lenten Activities
Feb 22, 2012 to Apr 6, 2012
Adoration & Confession: 6:00-7:00p every Mon & Wed /
3:30-4:30p every Saturday of Lent, Confessions or Sacrament of Penance
Stations of the Cross: 5:30p every Friday during Lent
Fish Fry: 6:00p every Friday during Lent in the Parish Hall (Feb 24, Mar 2, 9, 23, 30)
St. Joseph's Table Dinner: Sun, Mar 18, 12:30-3:00 pm
[ Lenten Activity ]
Beginning Experience
Feb 24, 2012 to Feb 26, 2012
Widowed? Divorced? Separated?
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE is a weekend program to help single-again persons begin to deal with the grieving process. It offers an opportunity, through God's grace, to turn the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth.
The next weekend will be Feb 24-26 at Mt Claret Retreat Center in Phoenix, AZ. The cost is $149. Some partial scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the full cost. Please register before Feb 17. For additional information: call 602-914-5148, visit www.AZBE.org or email info@azbe.org.
[ Singles ]
3rd Annual Nun Run
Mar 10, 2012 (8:00a)
The Poor Clare Nuns invite you to participate in their 3rd Annual Nun Run. Registration for the 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile walk is $25.00 (until Feb 25) and includes a T-shirt and post race refreshments. The race is on Sat, Mar 10 at 8:00a at Kiwanis Park located at 95 W. Baseline Rd. in Tempe.
The Poor Clares are Roman Catholic Nuns who moved to Arizona in 2005 at the invitation of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. They are raising funds to build a monastery for 28 nuns near their chapel in Tonapah, Arizona. The Our Lady of Solitude Chapel is open to the public for Adoration and daily Mass. To learn more about the Poor Clare Nuns and to register/donate, please visit their website at www.desertnuns.com. Thank you!
[ Poor Clares Fundraiser ]
CRYS Retreat
Mar 30, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Catholic? Single? Age 21-40? Please join us for our Spring Retreat, Fri, Mar 30 through Sun, Apr 1 - a weekend of reflection, devotion, & fellowship.
Cost is $75 for EARLY registration (before Mar 5) and $90 thereafter. For more info please call Margarita at 623-693-8913 or visit www.crysretreats.com
[ Singles ]