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.

A Journey through Poetry

Theresa Dolata started typing articles/stories and doing photography for St Joan’s website in 2006. Originally from Adams, WI, she became transplanted in MN in May of 2000. After a few years here, she came to her first gym mass at this church called St Joan of Arc for a 9am mass. The next Sunday she went to the parish center and became a member. She is currently a resident of South Minneapolis. She is a writer, a stand-up comic, a photographer, and a massage therapist. She writes for fun and pleasure many different styles such as poetry, fiction, a play (work in progress), her memoir (ok, another work in progress), and most importantly her stand-up material. Theresa has performed in the past at ACME Comedy Club here in Minneapolis, Stevie Ray’s Comedy Cabaret in Bloomington, and other comedy clubs here in the Twin Cities. She has also performed at Laughs on The Landing in Saint Louis, Missouri. Theresa is a member of Vail Place which is a clubhouse model of a community support program for people with mental health issues, and she is also member of St Joan’s Mental Illness Ministry.

Bosom of the Mother By Theresa Dolata The wind blows the weeping willows slowly, The puffed filled clouds gently floating above. I sleep in the mist of the river bank. Dampened by the fresh morning dew, I awake refreshed by the glorious sun. Not hung over by the harvest moon. I nestle in the bosom of Mother Earth, Being nourished by Her sweet nectars. I become filled with Her glory Throughout my being. I feel alive. I feel whole. I feel the interconnectedness of the mother and the child.

Untitled By Theresa Dolata A vastness of rays shine bright upon me Through the transparent sea I swim among the lively coral reef The parrot fish, the angel fish All fish and me The sea anemone talks to me As it opens and shuts “You are interconnected with us.” The octopus comes to me And gently suctions with All its tentacles my hand As if to welcome me With all its open hands

Faith By Theresa Dolata Love Begins from deep within As does the faith that our journey brings We do not sell this door to door We learn and cherish it as we grow We come to understand what values we have We try to live them the best we can He loves us even when we fail He allows us to heal our wounds Sometimes it takes us a little work Sometimes it’s harder than it looks Sometimes we need to do it alone Sometimes we need our supportive community to help But He lets us know what needs to be done If we listen intently to what is and has been said As well as what is being and has been done The more we open up our hearts and minds The more they result into the wise mind That is where we ought to be For the faith we need today

With Her Might By Theresa Dolata As She carries me with Her might I shall not have any fright She has carried me many times When I have been hanging By an extremely thin thread I would hang on by one hand At the very end But somehow I never would fall That right hand never lost its grip I have lived a life With more downs Then ups Upside downs Instead of right side up But She carried me with all Her might Even when I had some fright For a while I did blame Then I did not believe But she did not care She was always there Holding on to me Now I have more ups Then downs More right side ups Then upside downs As She carries me lovingly With all Her might

Peace Prayer By Theresa Dolata As our spirits gather together With the Prince of Peace At our side May we spread The word of peace To those who suffer Out and inside For we are the ones That carry on His word May we continue to Speak out against All wars For there are Too many suffering unjustly And voices must be heard Amen

Untitled By Theresa Dolata The peaceful endless flowing river Flows through me to you With love so expansive As the azure sky. We flow to the vast clear blue ocean, With no land as far as we can see. Just blue above – And blue below – The sky And the ocean Meet.

Chants By Theresa Dolata While my hands are in the meditative praying position The Tibetan Monks chant the chants That pulsate through my heart amongst my chest My legs grounded firmly into the soles of my feet While their souls elevate from the sounding vibrations Their voices hum Like the beating Of the most wonderful drum The Tibetan Monks chant the chants In one sense we do not understand The language that they speak Yet in the other hand We understand in sense More than they can preach Their voices hum Like the beating Of the most wonderful drum The Tibetan Monks chant the chants Simplicity at its best With their modest red attire Some with gold cloths around Their shoulders Their voices hum Like the beating Of the most wonderful drum The Tibetan Monks chant the chants All disciplined and friendly They possess love of all life Beyond all things Compassion they bring Their voices hum Like the beating Of the most wonderful drum For their country For all the world Including us They bring their message Everywhere through Their mystical power of chants Their voices hum Like the beating Of the most wonderful drum With my hands still in the meditative praying position The Tibetan Monks chant the chants That pulsate through my heart amongst my chest My legs grounded firmly into the soles of my feet As their souls still elevate from the sounding vibrations