About St. Joan of Arc · Blythe, California
St. Joan of Arc Parish is a Catholic community serving Blythe, California, and the surrounding desert region of the eastern Coachella Valley along the Colorado River. Founded in 1920 and part of the Diocese of San Bernardino, the parish at 875 E Chanslor Way ministers to a diverse population that includes the Ripley community (historically served through the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission) and welcomes visitors from Ehrenberg, Quartzsite, and Parker, Arizona. It offers Mass in both English and Spanish, Eucharistic Adoration, sacramental preparation, and a range of lay ministries led by a small staff and many active volunteers.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- St. Joan of Arc
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Ibegbunam (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
St. Joan of Arc is a small but lively bilingual Catholic parish where English and Spanish Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide range of lay ministries open the door to real participation. The parish brings Communion to the homebound, sustains a Guadalupanas devotion group, hosts a Knights of Columbus council, and welcomes new ushers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and volunteers for first-Friday 24-hour Adoration. For Catholics in Blythe, Ripley, Ehrenberg, Quartzsite, and Parker, it is the spiritual home base that has ministered to this remote desert region for over a century.
Mass times at St. Joan of Arc
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM (in the church)
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Holy Hour in the Chapel)
- First Friday: 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration begins after the 7:00 AM Mass and continues until 7:00 AM Saturday morning
History of St. Joan of Arc Parish
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church has ministered to the Blythe community since 1920. According to the Diocese of San Bernardino's parish listing, the parish was founded that year, and GCatholic independently records 1920 as its founding date. The parish's own 'History of St. Joan of Arc' page emphasizes that the church has served Blythe for decades and that it includes the Ripley community through Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, while also welcoming visitors from Ehrenberg, Quartzsite, and Parker, Arizona. In 1961, St. Joan of Arc opened a mission in Ripley, ten miles southwest of Blythe, to serve Spanish-speaking farmworkers; a weekly Mass was celebrated there until the mission closed in 2009.
- Founded 1920
- Historically served Ripley via Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission (1961–2009)
- Reaches Blythe, Ripley, Ehrenberg, Quartzsite, and Parker, AZ
Parish Staff
St. Joan of Arc is led by an Administrator and supported by a small parish staff and lay volunteers. The current administrator is Fr. Anthony Ibegbunam, who was reappointed by Bishop Rojas for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
- Administrator: Fr. Anthony Ibegbunam
- Secretary: Maria Smith (Parish Office: 760-922-3261)
- Deacon: H.K. Han
- Director of Religious Education: Norma Castillo
Devotions and Other Services
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, the parish sustains a daily rosary devotion and observes Holy Days with dedicated Masses.
- Holy Rosary: Monday–Friday at 5:00 PM in the Children's Chapel
- Monday Communion Service: 7:00 AM
- Holy Days: 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM
Parish Ministries
Lay ministry is central to the parish's life. St. Joan of Arc runs an Usher Ministry, a Ministry to the Sick that brings Holy Communion to the homebound, a Knights of Columbus council, the Guadalupanas devotion group, and a corps of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, all coordinated through the parish office.
- Usher Ministry — contact Maria Smith (760-922-3261)
- Ministry to the Sick — Extraordinary Ministers bring Communion to the homebound
- Knights of Columbus — local council; contact Derek Copple via the parish office
- Guadalupanas — promotes devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and funds the December celebration
- Holy Rosary Devotion — daily rosary Monday–Friday at 5:00 PM
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) — contact Vickie Rodriguez (760-910-3579)
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for and celebrates the Sacraments of Christian Initiation as well as Marriage and the Anointing of the Sick. Baptism for infants and young children is scheduled monthly, with required preparation for parents and godparents.
- Baptism: second Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM (not during Lent); $100 fee per child; preparation class the Tuesday before at 6:00–7:30 PM
- Confirmation: three-year formation (one year Pre-Confirmation plus two years of Confirmation classes); $60 registration per student
- Marriage: requires marriage application and documents per the Diocese of San Bernardino
- Anointing of the Sick: contact the parish office (760-922-3261)
Religious Education
Faith formation is directed by the parish's Director of Religious Education, with a Confirmation program that meets weekly for one hour and combines catechesis, prayer and worship, community life, evangelization, and service. The Religious Education Office can be reached at (760) 922-8934.
- Director of Religious Education: Norma Castillo
- Religious Education Office: (760) 922-8934
- Confirmation preparation: three-year program
Contact and Visit
The parish office can be reached by phone during business hours. Visitors and parishioners can find Mass, confession, and adoration times on the parish website and bulletin.
- Address: 875 E Chanslor Way, Blythe, California 92225
- Phone: (760) 922-3261
- Website: https://www.stjoanofarcblythe.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. Anthony IbegbunamReappointed through June 30, 2027
Listed as Administrator of St. Joan of Arc, Blythe in Bishop Rojas' clergy assignments; reappointed for an additional three-year term beginning July 1, 2024.