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About our Parish |
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E-mail: office@saintjoancatholic.org
Mass/Communion Schedule: |
“Go west young man, go west,” shares a unique relationship to Colorado. As the Denver suburbs pushed west, Arvada’s growth led to the establishment of St. Joan of Arc Parish on August 22, 1967. Its first pastor, Father James Rasby, was the youngest pastor in the Archdiocese when he was assigned to Shrine of St. Anne’s in Arvada. Some years later that young priest was a bit more seasoned. With his deep devotion to France’s St. Joan, Father Rasby became the logical founding pastor when Archbishop Casey assigned him to the parish. In those days while the new sanctuary was being built, daily Mass was held in the rectory chapel at 58th and Oak. Sunday Masses were held at Arvada West High School, and special services and Holy Days found the new congregation gathered at King of Glory Lutheran Church. When the church was erected, following the guidelines of Vatican II, it was the most modern designed church in the Archdiocese.
Soon after the newly constructed church was dedicated on March 9,
1969, Father Rasby became the pastor of the Cathedral in Denver. Father
fondly remembers celebrating Christmas Masses for over 6,000 people in 1968
before he left. Scores of people were moving west, and they were finding
St. Joan of Arc Church.
The Rev. Father Robert Durrie succeeded Father Rasby in March, 1969, and he
presided over the continued growth of the parish. Father Durrie recognized
the needs of numerous Catholic families in the mountains to the west. This led
to the establishment of the Coal Creek Mission, which still worships each Sunday
under their current visiting priest Father Frank Deml. During Father
Durrie's tenure, the Youth Center (now the ELC) was built for religious
education classes and youth ministry activities. A new Rectory to the east of
the church was also erected.
When Father Michael Walsh arrived in July, 1982, the parish needed more space for staff offices and for the growing religious education and youth programs. Additionally, the need for a more functional fellowship area was recognized. Father Walsh, who served until 1988, took up the challenge and led the parish through its third major building program. The result was a new office complex and the Orleans Hall with its fully equipped commercial kitchen.
In Word and Sacrament Father Walsh spiritually fed the growing
congregation. Now, through countless dinners, wedding and funeral
receptions and special parish events, people were also being fed and served by
St. Joan's kitchen managers and their dedicated volunteers. The services of
these people will always be remembered.
In 1988, Father James E. Kleiner succeeded Father Walsh. He came from
Pueblo, Colorado where he served as a hospital chaplain. Father Kleiner had lived
for a time in a Benedictine monastic community. There he remembers how he became
closely acquainted with Thomas Merton. Father Kleiner expressed a concern
for groups that would help people in need such as those in grief, abusive
situations, or the hurt and pain of divorce.
In the summer of 2000 Father Timothy Gaines took over from Father Kleiner, and the parish was ready for new challenges. With many others Father Gaines shared the vision for early childhood education and helped to provide a foundation for the solid successes of the Early Learning Center. Father Gaines sought to build upon the parish’s vital traditions and strong support of long-time members in reaching out to the growing area adjacent to the church and the new younger families and youth in the years ahead.
Most
recently, St. Joan's purchased the 7+ acres of land to the east of
the Church. In a little more than 3 months, with Father Joseph's support and
the generosity of our parishioners, more than $500,000 was raised to buy the
property from the Archdiocese. |
