About Saint Joan of Arc · Phoenix, Arizona
Saint Joan of Arc is a Roman Catholic parish in north Phoenix, Arizona, part of the Diocese of Phoenix. Founded in 1979, it has grown from a community of about 400 families to more than 1,500 registered families. The parish celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, offers daily and weekend Masses, perpetual adoration, a preschool and kindergarten, a robust faith formation program (including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Life Teen), and active service outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, Respect Life, and other ministries. Its mission, as stated by its current pastor, is 'courageously following Christ by serving the community through Catholic liturgy, gospel values, charity and education.'
- Established
- 1979
- Patron
- Saint Joan of Arc
- Rector
- Fr. Daniel Cruz (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
St. Joan of Arc offers a vibrant, bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic community with daily and weekend Masses, a 24-hour adoration chapel, and one of the largest Lenten fish fries in the Phoenix Valley. Families are served by an on-site preschool and kindergarten, a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, Life Teen youth ministry, and adult faith formation, while outreach runs through the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry (with multiple weekly hours), the Knights of Columbus, Respect Life, Padre Pio Prayer Group, Legion of Mary, and more.
Mass times at Saint Joan of Arc
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Saturday: 8:00–8:25 AM (inside the church)
- Monday: 5:30–5:55 PM
- Wednesday: 5:30–5:55 PM
- Saturday: 9:00–10:30 AM
- By appointment on the days listed
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the 24-hour Adoration Chapel (volunteers serve as Hourly Captains/Adorers)
Parish History
Saint Joan of Arc was established July 12, 1979 by Bishop James Rausch, with Fr. Robert D. Skagen as founding pastor. The first Masses were celebrated at Larkspur Elementary School (July 22–23, 1979); weekend Masses then moved to Greenway Middle School while daily Mass was said in the rectory on Waltann Lane. The original multi-purpose building was dedicated May 30, 1982 — the feast of St. Joan of Arc — by Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien. The permanent sanctuary was dedicated November 6, 1999, also by Bishop O'Brien. Under five successive pastors — Fr. Robert Skagen, Fr. Frank Simlik, Fr. Larry Weidner, Fr. Don Kline, and Fr. Dan Connealy — the parish grew from about 400 to more than 1,500 registered families. Fr. Daniel Cruz currently serves as Parochial Administrator.
- Founded 1979
- Sanctuary dedicated 1999
- 1,500+ registered families
Architecture of the Sanctuary
Parishioners describe the sanctuary as 'modern Gothic': traditional Gothic forms built with contemporary construction (no interior columns; the roof is carried by two 15-ton beams running parallel to the center aisle). Gothic touches include ceiling rosettes, a 30-foot solid oak Gothic reredos, oak Gothic-style pews, and interior flying arches. Many elements came from closed Milwaukee churches — the reredos from St. Thomas Aquinas, the carved back altar (showing two deer at a fountain, Psalm 42), and a Belgian stained glass window originally installed at Holy Angels. The Blessed Sacrament chapel holds St. Katherine Drexel's personal altar.
- Modern Gothic style
- St. Katherine Drexel's personal altar in the Blessed Sacrament chapel
- Milwaukee-rescued furnishings
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Parochial Administrator Fr. Daniel Cruz, with Parochial Vicar Fr. Oliver Vietor and Fr. Anthony Dang (in residence; chaplain at Notre Dame Preparatory High School). Three deacons serve the community: Dcn. Mark Salvato, Dcn. David Bramer, and Dcn. Jaime Garcia (Coordinator of Catechumenate Ministries & Infant Baptisms). Lay staff include a Business Manager (Desiree Schlangen), Finance Manager (Julie Flanigan), Director of Sacred Music (Jeffrey Morse) and Assistant Music Director (Betsy Donovan), Coordinator of Religious Education (Laura Gallant), Coordinator of Youth Ministry (Marlee Bigsby / Jeffrey Morse), Coordinator of Liturgy/Funerals/Marriage/Quinceañeras/Nullity (Annette Garrison), Preschool Director (Debbie Allen), Preschool Office Manager (Kelly Hartlen), Receptionist & Social Media/Gift Shop Manager (Lakin Bellah), and Facilities Manager (Ted Parente).
- 3 priests, 3 deacons on staff
- Full lay ministry team
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education is coordinated by Laura Gallant (x310). Programs include the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-style atrium where children encounter Scripture and the liturgical cycle through tactile materials in a specially prepared room; the Life Teen and Edge youth ministry programs for teens; and ongoing adult faith formation. The parish describes faith formation as 'growth and lifelong learning of the Catholic faith, which cannot be exhausted.'
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium)
- Life Teen / Edge youth ministry
- Adult faith formation
Preschool & Kindergarten
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Preschool & Kindergarten has been led by Director Debbie Allen since July 2010 (a Penn State graduate with a Master's from Loyola College in Clinical Child Psychology). The play-based, Reggio Emilia–inspired program follows the Diocese of Phoenix Schools calendar and incorporates the Creative Curriculum plus Handwriting Without Tears and MacMillan/McGraw-Hill's Treasures. It has earned a 5 Star rating from Quality First. Each day begins and ends with prayer, integrates Fruits of the Spirit, weekly Seeds newsletters tied to the Sunday liturgy, visits to the church for adoration, and 9:00 AM Courtyard Prayers in the inner courtyard.
- Director Debbie Allen since July 2010
- 5 Star rating from Quality First
- Daily Courtyard Prayers at 9:00 AM
Service & Outreach Ministries
Outreach is a major pillar of parish life. The St. Vincent de Paul Society runs a parish food pantry with hours Monday/Wednesday/Saturday 9:00–11:00 AM and Monday/Wednesday evenings 6:00–7:30 PM, serving the homeless and economically disadvantaged; the local phone line is 602-867-2288. The Knights of Columbus council meets the first Thursday of each month (Grand Knight Chuck Reader / contact Darryl Bergstrom). Other service groups include the Navajo Connection Family Adoption Project, Porters of St. Joseph (security), Respect Life Ministry, St. Damien's Helpers, Pastoral Care, and the famous St. Joan of Arc Lenten Fish Fry, which serves over 700 diners each of the six Fridays of Lent and depends on 50+ weekly volunteers.
- St. Vincent de Paul food pantry: 602-867-2288
- Lenten Fish Fry serves 700+ per night
Spiritual & Prayer Groups
Beyond liturgical ministries (Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Lectors), the parish hosts an array of prayer and community groups: the Legion of Mary, Little Flower Ministry, Moms' Ministry, Padre Pio Prayer Group, Prayer Line, Senior Ministry (3rd Thursday October–May), and Small Church Community (Wednesdays 9:30 AM in the Senior Lounge).
- Legion of Mary
- Padre Pio Prayer Group
- Senior Ministry & Small Church Community
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments through dedicated coordinators. Infant Baptism and the Catechumenate (RCIA) are coordinated by Dcn. Jaime Garcia (x316). Marriage preparation (English and Spanish), Quinceañeras, Funeral coordination, and the Nullity Ministry are coordinated by Annette Garrison (x308).
- RCIA / Catechumenate — Dcn. Jaime Garcia
- Marriage / Quinceañeras / Funerals / Nullity — Annette Garrison
Visiting & Contact
Saint Joan of Arc is located at 3801 E. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032-4698, phone (602) 867-9171, fax (602) 482-7930. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM), and Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM; the office is closed Saturday and Sunday. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.stjoanofarc.com.
- 3801 E. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032
- Office Mon–Fri (closed Sat/Sun)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Robert D. Skagen1979–
Founding pastor; affectionately known as 'Fr. Bob'.
- Fr. Frank P. Simlik
Former pastor.
- Fr. Larry Weidner
Former pastor.
- Fr. Don Kline
Former pastor.
- Fr. Dan Connealy
Former pastor.
- Fr. Daniel Cruz
Current Parochial Administrator.