What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.

Our Community is very blessed in its staff. One only has to look at the dedication and joy that characterize this special group of people to appreciate the variety of gifts they bring to us. A relatively new member of this great corps is Lisa Chirpich, our Youth Co-ordinator.

Lisa brings an impressive history of youth ministry experience to her position. She is a native of Bloomington who moved to Prior Lake as a young child. She completed her elementary and high school years there, graduating in 1982. Following high school, Lisa attended Mankato State University, graduating in International Business and Economics. This was followed by a two- year stint in the Peace Corps, living and working in the Dominican Republic. Her next adventure was with the National Evangelization Team, traveling to bring retreats to youth in many different settings. After one year of this road show life, she settled at Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul. At that point in her career, Lisa decided it would be a good idea to expand her education, obtaining a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies at St. Thomas and the St. Paul Seminary. She took this into three years of working at St Rose of Lima Parish in Roseville. With all of this background, Lisa then found her way to SJA, taking over a busy Youth Program when Margaret Gustafson resigned to return to school.

When asked to talk about her position here, Lisa describes the openness of the youth, and their level of awareness. She has come to value greatly the spirit, creativity, and participation of the members of the parish. A consistent plus is the supportive and positive interaction of the staff.

Lisa(right), with members of the youth band

The year will feature many familiar events, from the Sunday gatherings in the morning for praise and worship, a BWCA trip, Sunday evening retreats for the 10 to 12th grade students to a trip to Guatemala in June. Changes will include the addition of a part-time assistant, Amy Bissonette, who is experienced in Youth ministry, and will assume leadership for the Sunday morning 7th-12th grade program. Lisa also has hopes for an ACTS team, which will plan social service and social justice projects involving the young people and extending leadership opportunities to them. She would like to expand outreach to other young people who live in this neighborhood and in the areas where our parish members reside.

To continue to build our Youth program, Lisa will need the support of the larger parish community – in the form of prayers, help with special events and projects, and inspiration. She asks that members of the community send her any poems, quotes, songs or items of interest that have provided inspiration or which provoke thought. She knows that the varied perceptions and experiences of our people can trigger important responses in the teens. To contribute to this treasury, contact Lisa on line at , or by calling her at work at 612-823-8205, extension 234, or by email at lchirpich@stjoan.com.

Jean Jachman is a consummate volunteer. Jean pitches in at the parish office, waits tables at Cabaret, and contacts and schedules the readers for masses. All that and a career as a nurse that included time in a refugee camp on the Thailand-Cambodia border.

Lisa resides in south Minneapolis with her spouse, Kevin, and their dog Tuckrrr-rr. It is a delight to have her as part of our parish family! The over 550 young people of this parish will have a great experience with her.

Terry Kolb is a staff reporter for the Catholic Spirit and news editor of New Earth, the Fargo diocesan paper. She also has been published in several daily newspapers and a few magazines. Most of all, Terry is the mother of six and grandmother of eight. She has been a member of St. Joan of Arc since 1998.