About St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church · Boca Raton, Florida
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church is a large, bilingual parish in downtown Boca Raton, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Palm Beach. The first Catholic parish established in Boca Raton (founded 1956), it now serves thousands of families with a parish school, an on-site chapel, a multi-use Mercy Center, and a campus that includes the parish church, St. Joan of Arc School (a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School), and dedicated youth, religious education, and Hispanic ministry buildings. The parish welcomes English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics (a weekly Spanish Mass is celebrated every Sunday evening) and runs more than 50 ministries of worship, formation, charity, and fellowship.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Joan of Arc
- Rector
- Very Rev. Nestor L. Rodriguez, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
St. Joan of Arc is one of Boca Raton's oldest and largest Catholic parishes, with a Blue Ribbon elementary school, more than 50 ministries, daily Mass, two weekly confession slots (Saturday afternoon and Sunday before the Spanish Mass), Eucharistic Adoration, a Care Ministry and Food Pantry, and a vibrant bilingual (English/Spanish) community. The parish welcomes both lifelong Catholics and newcomers through OCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), offers year-round faith formation for children and youth, runs active groups like the Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, Columbiettes, Men's Ministry, Grief Support, and Koinonia retreats, and livestreams its 12:15pm Sunday Mass for those who cannot attend in person.
Mass times at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00pm–4:00pm (Chapel)
- Sunday 4:50pm–5:20pm (Spanish & English, before the 5:30pm Spanish Mass)
- By appointment during office hours — call the Parish Office at (561) 392-0007
Adoration times
- Tuesday 4:00pm (or 5:00pm per recent bulletin) to 8:30pm (chapel)
- First Friday 9:00am to 7:00pm, with a bilingual Rosary, Meditation, and Benediction from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
- Spanish Eucharistic Adoration: first Friday of the month, 7:00pm–8:30pm in the chapel (Rosary and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish History
What began as 25-cent contributions collected by a small group of Catholic women in the mid-1950s grew into the first Catholic parish in Boca Raton (1956), the founding of its parish school (1960) by Sisters of Mercy from Ireland, the construction of a permanent church (1988), and a thriving bilingual community serving thousands of families today. The parish is now in its seventh decade of continuous ministry under the Diocese of Palm Beach.
- December 1956 — first Mass celebrated at Halbert's (Jalbert's) Aerological Laboratory, 170 20th Street, under Fr. David Heffernan
- 1961 — provisional red-brick church dedicated by Bishop Coleman Carroll
- September 19, 1960 — St. Joan of Arc School opens in a rented warehouse with about 70 students; Sisters of Mercy of Ireland arrive to teach
- 1961 — school east wing opens for grades 1–8
- 1964 — under Fr. Paul Leo Manning, second school building and kindergarten added; enrollment reaches 420
- 1972 — under Fr. Ronald Pusak, parish surpasses 3,000 families
- 1979 — major school expansion: library, media center, religious education office, additional classrooms
- 1984 — Msgr. John R. McMahon becomes pastor; forms the 'Coat of Arms Society' to fund a new church
- December 1988 — new St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church dedicated by Bishop Thomas V. Daily, first Bishop of Palm Beach
- 1990 — the 1961 'provisional' church renovated and reopened as the Mercy Center (parish social hall)
- 2005 — Bishop Gerald Barbarito presides at the groundbreaking of the Robert & Sonja Moran Sports Arena; school named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- 2009 — Monsignor Michael D. McGraw appointed pastor; opens The Ark youth ministry house
- 2010 — parish and school celebrate 50th anniversary; approximately 20,000 alumni acknowledged
- January 2023 — Very Rev. Nestor L. Rodriguez, V.F., installed as pastor
St. Joan of Arc School
St. Joan of Arc Catholic School is a Blue Ribbon parish elementary school (PreK–8) sharing the Boca Raton campus. Founded September 19, 1960 by four Sisters of Mercy who came from Ireland at the invitation of Bishop Coleman Carroll, the school has grown to serve several hundred students under long-time Principal Mrs. Rita Kissel and a faculty that includes a guidance counselor, dean of discipline, and full admissions team. The 2005 Robert & Sonja Moran Sports Arena added modern athletics space, and St. Joan of Arc was recognized as one of only 296 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools that year.
- Principal: Mrs. Rita Kissel ([email protected], 561-392-7974)
- Assistant Principal: Mary Wachowiz
- Admissions Director: Marie Loomis ([email protected], 561-952-2946)
- Guidance Counselor: Cristina Eckelkamp
- School Clinic: Erin Streibig (561-952-2950)
- U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2005)
- Robert & Sonja Moran Sports Arena (groundbreaking 2005)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered at every age and stage, from Catholic Tots (Mommy & Me) and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori-based for PreK–K) through the parish CCD program, youth Confirmation, adult Confirmation, and OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (English and Spanish). Classes meet Sundays 9:15am–10:30am and Wednesdays 5:00pm–6:15pm. Director of Religious Education Andrea Lewin leads the office; Constanza Preble coordinates the Spanish OCIA track.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (PreK–K) — Wednesdays 5:00pm–6:30pm
- Catholic Tots (Mommy & Me)
- Liturgy of the Word for Children — during the 10:45am Sunday Mass
- CCD / Religious Education — Sundays 9:15am–10:30am and Wednesdays 5:00pm–6:15pm (K through Confirmation)
- Faith Formation Parents' Group — Wednesdays 5:30pm
- Youth Confirmation 2026 — Mandatory Retreat September 26, 2026; Confirmation Saturday October 10, 2026 at 11am
- Adult Confirmation 2025–2026 — Saturday April 4, 2026 at 7:00pm
- OCIA English & Spanish — Monday evenings 7:00pm
OCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
OCIA is the parish's year-round process for adults (18+) seeking to learn about the Catholic faith, complete the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), or be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It is open to inquirers, candidates already baptized in another Christian tradition, and unbaptized catechumens — with no obligation to join. Classes meet Monday evenings 7:00pm–9:00pm, beginning in late August / early September, and culminate with reception at the Easter Vigil.
- Director: Andrea Lewin, 561-952-2870, [email protected]
- Spanish OCIA coordinator: Constanza Preble, [email protected]
- $100 tuition (no one turned away for lack of funds)
- Easter Vigil reception for the Elect and Candidates
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated at St. Joan of Arc, with specific schedules and preparation programs for each. Baptism is offered the 3rd Sunday in English and 4th Sunday in Spanish. Confirmation is coordinated through the Religious Education Office for youth and through OCIA for adults. Marriage preparation begins at least six months in advance through Deacon Bill Watzek and includes Engaged Encounter and Fully Engaged (Pre-Marital Preparation) programs. Anointing of the Sick is arranged by calling the Parish Office.
- Baptism — 3rd Sunday (English) and 4th Sunday (Spanish) at 1:30pm
- Pre-Baptismal classes — 1st Thursday of every month
- Confirmation (Youth) — Religious Education Office, 561-952-2870
- Confirmation (Adult) — through OCIA
- Confession — Saturday 3:00pm–4:00pm; Sunday 4:50pm–5:20pm; by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the Parish Office
- Matrimony — couples contact priest/deacon 6+ months in advance; bride, groom, or one set of parents must live within parish boundaries
- Matrimony coordinator: Deacon Bill Watzek, 561-952-2828
Liturgical Ministries & Music
A team of liturgical ministers supports the celebration of Mass, Adoration, weddings, funerals, and devotions. Music Ministry Director Douglas Byers directs adult, youth, and children's choirs, with weekly rehearsals. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion serve the parish, local hospitals, nursing homes, and the homebound, and youth Altar Servers (5th grade and older) assist at weekend Masses.
- Music Ministry Director: Douglas Byers, [email protected]
- Adult, youth, and children's choirs — weekly rehearsals
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — church, hospital, nursing home, and homebound rotations
- Altar Servers (youth) — 5th grade and older who have received First Communion
- Lectors and Lector Training (Deacon Bill Watzek, 561-952-2828)
- Parochial Vicar overseeing liturgical ministries: Fr. Junesh Xavier
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. Joan of Arc maintains a rich devotional life: weekly Eucharistic Adoration with a bilingual Rosary and Benediction on First Fridays, a daily Rosary at the Marian Garden, year-round healing prayer, seasonal penitential and Marian devotions (Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Novena, Blessing of Food), and small-group faith sharing such as the Mother Mary Continuum Bible Study and the annual Koinonia Lenten Retreat.
- Daily Rosary — 4:00pm at the Marian Garden
- Healing Prayer Ministry (H.O.P.E. — He Opened Paradise to Everyone) — Mondays 7:00pm–8:00pm in the church
- Divine Mercy Novena — beginning after the Good Friday Lord's Passion, continuing daily at 3:00pm in the Chapel
- Stations of the Cross — Good Friday 12:00pm in the Church
- Holy Thursday — Adoration at the Altar of Repose after the 7:00pm bilingual Mass, continuing to midnight
- Koinonia — annual Lenten Retreat on parish grounds (contact John Stoltz, 561-322-8819)
- Mother Mary Continuum Bible Study — Fridays
- Grief Support Sessions — Wednesdays 4:00pm–5:00pm in the Kilby House
Outreach & Social Services
The Care Ministry and Food Pantry provide crisis aid (rent, electric, water bills, childcare, food) for confirmed Boca Raton and Delray Beach residents and registered SJA parishioners, with an on-site Catholic Charities Counseling Center offering professional counseling Monday–Friday. Homebound Ministry brings Communion to the elderly and infirm, and the parish partners with recovery fellowships (AA, Al-Anon, Alateen) that meet on campus.
- Care Ministry & Food Pantry — appointment line 561-962-6000; food distribution Saturdays
- Catholic Charities Counseling Center — Kilby House, Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm (Maria Nowak, [email protected])
- Homebound Ministry — coordinated through the Parish Office
- Coordinator: Deacon Bill Watzek, [email protected]
- AA — Saturdays 10:00am–12:00pm at Immaculata Center
- Al-Anon — Mondays 7:00pm–8:15pm at the Kilby House
- Alateen — Saturdays 10:00am–12:00pm, 2nd floor of the Education Building
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
More than 50 ministries provide fellowship, service, and formation at the parish. They include the Knights of Columbus (Council 13051), the auxiliary Columbiettes, the Council of Catholic Women (with seven circles such as Santa Ana, St. Martha & Mary, and St. Monica), the Men's Ministry, the Dad's Club, and a Hispanic Ministry that includes a weekly Cenáculo de María Madre, Guadalupana committee, and Spanish-language OCIA track.
- Knights of Columbus — [email protected]
- Columbiettes — Terry Picinich, 561-901-7312
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW) — [email protected] (Santa Ana, St. Martha & Mary, St. Monica circles)
- Men's Ministry — Paul Paschke, 561-392-2476 (Wednesdays 6:30pm–8:15pm, Mercy Center #209)
- Dad's Club — Mondays at school drop-off in Mercy Center
- Cenáculo de María Madre, Guardiana de la Fe — Wednesdays 7:00pm in the Santa Rosa de Lima room, Kilby House
- Hispanic Ministry — Fr. Armando Leon and Constanza Preble, 561-392-0007
Staff, Clergy & Pastoral Team
St. Joan of Arc is served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, three assisting priests, three permanent deacons, a parish director of administration, a director of religious education, a school principal and assistant principal, a guidance counselor, an admissions director, and a technology team. Deacon Bill Watzek coordinates marriage preparation, the Homebound Ministry, and the Care Ministry & Food Pantry; Deacon Michael Zatarga and Deacon Oscar Rodriguez assist with liturgical and sacramental life.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Nestor L. Rodriguez, V.F.
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Junesh Xavier, Fr. Armando Leon
- Assisting Priests: Fr. Michael Driscoll, Fr. Adam Forno, Fr. Peter Wojuaye
- Permanent Deacons: Bill Watzek, Michael Zatarga, Oscar Rodriguez
- Director of Parish Administration: Patty Delaney, 561-952-2868
- Director of Religious Education: Andrea Lewin, 561-952-2870
- School Principal: Mrs. Rita Kissel, 561-392-7974
- Parish Office Reception: Jeannette Rosa
Campus & Facilities
The St. Joan of Arc campus in downtown Boca Raton centers on the 1988 church and the 1960 school chapel, with surrounding parish facilities developed over six decades. Adjacent buildings house the Mercy Center (converted 1961 'provisional' church), the Kilby House (counseling and small-group ministries), the Immaculata Center, The Ark (youth ministry), the Education Building, and the Robert & Sonja Moran Sports Arena (2005).
- Church (dedicated 1988 by Bishop Thomas V. Daily)
- Chapel (weekday and Saturday morning Masses)
- Mercy Center (parish social hall; renovated 1990)
- Kilby House (counseling, small groups, grief support)
- The Ark (children and youth ministry house)
- Immaculata Center
- Education Building
- Robert & Sonja Moran Sports Arena
Getting Involved & Contact
Newcomers are invited to register as parish members using the SJA Registration Form on the website, and may sign up to volunteer in any of the more than 50 ministries. Donations are accepted by mail, in the Sunday collection basket, online via the 'Donate' button, or through secure Credit Card Authorization Forms (one-time and recurring) for stewardship pledges.
- Parish Office — 370 S.W. 3rd Street, Boca Raton, FL 33432 — (561) 392-0007
- General inquiries: [email protected]
- Online registration: SJA Registration Form (linked from every page)
- Online giving: secure 'Donate' button on stjoan.org
- Livestream: YouTube — Sunday 12:15pm Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David Heffernan1956 (founding)
Charged by the diocese with finding a place of worship; celebrated the first Mass in December 1956 at Halbert's Aerology Laboratory on 20th Street.
- Fr. Robert Reardon1960
Led the fundraising and opening of St. Joan of Arc School; the east wing opened in 1961 for grades 1–8.
- Fr. Paul Leo Manning1964
Built a second school building, started the kindergarten class, and grew enrollment to 420.
- Fr. Ronald Pusak1972
Took over when the parish had grown to more than 3,000 families; oversaw 1979 expansion (library, media center, religious education office, additional classrooms).
- Msgr. John R. McMahon1984
Founded the 'Coat of Arms Society' to raise funds for a larger church.
- Msgr. Michael D. McGraw2009–2022
Brought 35 years of experience in social service, higher education, seminary formation, and spiritual direction; opened The Ark youth ministry house and led the parish through its 50th anniversary.
- Very Rev. Nestor L. Rodriguez, V.F.2023–present
Installed as pastor effective January 1, 2023; previously pastor of St. Ann in West Palm Beach; began his priestly journey as a seminarian and transitional deacon at St. Joan of Arc in 1991.