St. Joan of Arc

About St. Joan of Arc Parish

St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church is located in western Arvada, Colorado, near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The parish's mission statement, drawn from the spirituality of its patron, reads: 'St. Joan of Arc Parish exists to lead souls, through love or battle, to Christ the true King.' The parish currently serves about 2,200 registered households (projected to grow to 2,300), making it one of the larger parishes of the Archdiocese of Denver in the north Jefferson County area.

History

Founded on August 22, 1967, by Msgr. James Rasby out of his personal devotion to St. Joan of Arc, the parish grew with the post-war boom that made Arvada a city of more than 16,000 new residents in its first decade. While the sanctuary was being built, daily Mass was celebrated in the rectory chapel at 58th and Oak, Sunday Masses were held at Arvada West High School, and Holy Day liturgies were hosted at King of Glory Lutheran Church. The 800-seat modern sanctuary was finally dedicated on March 9, 1969, following the guidelines of Vatican II. Over the following decades, seven pastors have guided the parish through major building projects (Orleans Hall, the parish offices, and the Early Learning Center), extensive renovations (sanctuary space, Durrie Hall, the Youth Ministry building, and the rectory), and the purchase of more than seven acres of land to the east of the church. On the feast of St. Joan of Arc, May 30, 2017, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Mass presided over by Archbishop Samuel Aquila, marking '50 Years of Love' and unveiling a new strategic plan.

• 1967 — Parish founded August 22 by Msgr. James Rasby.
• 1969 — Sanctuary dedicated March 9.
• 2017 — 50th anniversary Mass with Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila.
• Seven pastors have served the parish since its founding.

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by pastor Fr. Nathan Goebel, assisted by two parochial vicars, Fr. Ryan Mack and Fr. Sam Munson, and four permanent deacons: Deacon Tim Heaton, Deacon Matt Archer, Deacon Joe Gerber, and Deacon Rex Pilger (who also serves as Director of Business and Adult Formation). A full lay staff supports the parish's faith formation, youth ministry, music, communications, finance, and maintenance operations.

• Fr. Nathan Goebel — Pastor
• Fr. Ryan Mack — Parochial Vicar
• Fr. Sam Munson — Parochial Vicar
• Deacon Tim Heaton
• Deacon Matt Archer
• Deacon Joe Gerber
• Deacon Rex Pilger
• Tess Greco — Coordinator of Sacred Music
• Matthew Wilson — Director of Evangelization
• Payton Eggert — Director of Youth Ministry
• Carolyn Meyer — Director of Events & Engagement
• Erica Flora, Mary Heller & Bri Green — Coordinators of Children's Faith Formation
• Diana Murray — Early Learning Center (ELC) Principal
• Sylvia Schwartz — ELC Assistant Principal
• Sherri Kilian — Business Manager / Executive Bookkeeper
• Mary O'Shea — HR/Finance
• Josephine Ribera — Accounts Payable
• Jennifer Sharn — Office Coordinator / Communications
• Laurette Purfurst — Parish Secretary
• Lynette Leavitt & others — Administrative Assistants
• Nick Holmes — ELC Cook / Kitchen Manager
• Tracy O'Shea, Nicholas Stumpf, Chris Jimenez — Maintenance

Faith Formation for Children

Children's Formation at St. Joan of Arc has moved to a family-centered model: while children are in class, parents attend parent sessions over coffee, so the whole family learns together. Classes run September through May on Sundays following the 9:00 a.m. Mass for children in Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade, meeting in Durrie Hall (in the church basement) and Orleans Hall. The program incorporates the Restored Order Sacramental Preparation, so children in grades 2 through 5 receive First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation through this program. A parallel Children's Catechumenate is also offered.

• Pre-K through Grade 5, Sundays after 9:00 a.m. Mass (Sept–May)
• Restored Order Sacramental Preparation (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) for Grades 2–5
• Children's Catechumenate
• Parent Sessions in Orleans Hall (with coffee)
• Communication via Flocknote
• Email: [email protected]

Adult Formation, Young Adults & Bible Study

Continuing faith formation is offered through a wide range of programs: the Arvada Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study (a cooperative program with Spirit of Christ and Shrine of St. Anne parishes), book studies, parish-wide formation opportunities, and a free parish subscription to FORMED.org giving parishioners access to thousands of Catholic movies, audio talks, and eBooks. Young adults are served through small-group Bible studies, fellowship activities, Praise and Adoration Nights, and West Denver 2:42.

• Great Adventure Bible Study (The Bible Timeline, Acts, Matthew, Psalms, Mary, Galatians, 1 Corinthians, Revelation, Symbolon)
• Book studies and parish formation events
• Free parish subscription to formed.org (stjoanarvada.formed.org)
• Young Adult Ministry — small-group Bible studies, fellowship, Praise & Adoration Nights, West Denver 2:42

Becoming Catholic (RCIA)

St. Joan of Arc welcomes those inquiring about the Catholic faith through its Becoming Catholic process, which prepares adults and older children for full communion with the Church through the three sacraments of Christian initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist — celebrated typically at the Easter Vigil.

Early Learning Center

St. Joan of Arc operates an on-site Early Learning Center (ELC) preschool, serving as one of the parish's principal outreach ministries to young families in the Arvada community. The ELC is staffed by Principal Diana Murray (with Assistant Principal Sylvia Schwartz and Administrative Assistant Alex Whelton) and has a full-time cook / kitchen manager, Nick Holmes.

• Early Learning Center (preschool)
• Principal — Diana Murray
• Assistant Principal — Sylvia Schwartz
• Administrative Assistant — Alex Whelton
• ELC Cook/Kitchen Manager — Nick Holmes

Sacred Music & Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical life at St. Joan of Arc is supported by a team of liturgical ministers coordinated by the parish's Coordinator of Sacred Music, Tess Greco, and a broader team of volunteers who serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, ushers, and greeters. The 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass is celebrated as a candlelight Mass.

• Coordinator of Sacred Music — Tess Greco
• Sunday 5:30 p.m. Candlelight Mass
• Hearing loop in the sanctuary for those with hearing aids or cochlear implants (ask an usher)

Parish Life & Outreach

Beyond worship and formation, St. Joan of Arc runs an active parish life program that includes a Senior Club (praised as one of the strongest in the diocese), a Knights of Columbus council that has been recognized as Family of the Year by the state organization and earned the organization's highest state award multiple times, an annual 50th-anniversary celebration, and various parish-wide events coordinated by the Director of Events & Engagement, Carolyn Meyer.

• Knights of Columbus — pro-life and parish service
• Senior Club
• Director of Events & Engagement — Carolyn Meyer
• Director of Evangelization — Matthew Wilson

Contact & Visit

Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m.) and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The parish is located at 12735 W. 58th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80002, with phone 303-420-1232 (fax 303-420-0920) and email [email protected]. The Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass is livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.

• Address: 12735 W. 58th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80002
• Phone: 303-420-1232
• Fax: 303-420-0920
• Email: [email protected]
• Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass livestreamed on YouTube