About St. Joan of Arc · Cumberland, Rhode Island
St. Joan of Arc is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Providence serving Cumberland, Rhode Island and the surrounding communities. Located on Mendon Road, the parish was founded in 1929 and continues a nearly century-long tradition of Catholic worship, faith formation, and outreach through its church, school, and parish programs. Today it offers daily Mass, a thriving religious education program (CCD), the diocesan SPRED program for friends with special needs, and ministries for adults, youth, and young adults.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- St. Joan of Arc
- Rector
- Rev. Michael J. McMahon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Joan of Arc offers a steady rhythm of Catholic life for the Cumberland area — daily and Sunday Masses in the Ordinary Form, Saturday confessions, Adoration opportunities, and a robust Religious Education program serving children in grades K through 10 and youth preparing for Confirmation. The parish also runs the diocesan SPRED program for friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities, an adult formation track for those returning to the faith, and a young adult men's fraternity. With a school on site, an accessible rectory office, online giving, and welcoming staff, it's a good fit for families, retirees, and anyone seeking a long-standing Catholic community in Northern Rhode Island.
Mass times at St. Joan of Arc
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- By appointment
Parish History
Founded on July 26, 1929 by Bishop William A. Hickey with Father David Brunelle as first pastor, St. Joan of Arc grew out of a mission church previously served from St. Joseph's in Ashton. Originally the new parish stretched across all of Northern Cumberland — including Diamond Hill, Arnold's Mills, and Grant's Mills — until 1953 when St. John Vianney was created. The present rectory dates to 1956; the current church and school were built in 1963. Rev. Norman Bourdon served as pastor for 33 years (1991–2024) before being succeeded by Rev. Michael J. McMahon. A complete list of previous pastors is displayed in the front hall of the church.
- Parish founded July 26, 1929 by Bishop William A. Hickey
- First pastor: Father David Brunelle
- Territory reduced in 1953 with creation of St. John Vianney
- Rectory built 1956; current church and school built 1963
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish runs a Religious Education program for children and youth in Grades K through 10. A monthly Children's Mass is celebrated at 9:30 AM Sunday (September through April), with class for Grades K–5 immediately following until 11:10 AM in St. Joan's School. Grades 6–9 meet after the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass until 1:30 PM; Grade 10 (Confirmation class) follows a separate schedule. First-time registrants must submit a baptism certificate and, if transferring, documentation from their previous parish. Administrator: Mrs. Patti Tessier, 401-658-0734.
- Grades K–5 class after 9:30 AM Children's Mass (in St. Joan's School)
- Grades 6–9 class after 11:30 AM Mass
- Grade 10 Confirmation class
- Administrator: Patti Tessier — (401) 658-0734
SPRED — Special Religious Education
St. Joan of Arc hosts one of the Diocese of Providence's SPRED centers, housed in the parish school. The diocesan SPRED Office (Special Religious Education) helps parishes serve parishioners with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, seizure disorders, and other diagnoses. Originated in 1980 in the Diocese of Providence, SPRED prepares 'special friends' to receive the Sacraments of Initiation and Reconciliation and supports lifelong faith development. Local coordinator: Matthew Perry, 401-529-3783 / [email protected].
- Diocesan SPRED center located in St. Joan's School
- Serves children and adults with developmental disabilities
- Coordinator: Matthew Perry — (401) 529-3783, [email protected]
Adult Formation & Becoming Catholic
Whether someone is new to Catholicism or returning to the faith, St. Joan of Arc welcomes inquiries through the parish office. Beginning in the Fall of 2026, the parish plans a formal Saint Joan of Arc Adult Formation Program — a model similar to the older RCIA — with bi-weekly Monday evening sessions from September through March to mentor and prepare adults seeking the sacraments. Inquirers are asked to contact the parish via [email protected] or through the website's contact form.
- New Saint Joan of Arc Adult Formation Program launching Fall 2026
- Bi-weekly Monday evenings, September through March
- Inquiries: [email protected] or the parish Contact Us form
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms are held on the first Sunday of each month after the 11:30 AM Mass at 12:30 PM. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the Religious Education Program. Marriage requires contact with the rectory at least one year in advance and a meeting with a Parish Priest. The Anointing of the Sick is arranged by calling the rectory for the ill, elderly, or hospitalized.
- Baptism: first Sunday of the month, 12:30 PM
- First Communion & Penance: Grade 2 preparation
- Confirmation: two-year preparation, Grade 10
- Marriage: contact the rectory at least one year ahead
- Anointing of the Sick: contact the rectory
Schools & Faith Formation Partners
St. Joan of Arc partners with the Greater Woonsocket Catholic Regional School System (serving Pre-K through Grade 8) and the parish school building is also used for Religious Education classes and SPRED gatherings. Registration information for the next academic year is released through the parish bulletin.
- Greater Woonsocket Catholic Regional School System (Pre-K–8): 762-1095
- On-site CCD classes held in St. Joan's School
Parish Office, Giving & Getting Involved
The rectory office is staffed Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed on legal holidays), by Mrs. Marge Marcello, Parish Secretary. Online giving is available through the parish website, and a printable bulletin — including registration forms, youth participation forms, and the religious education registration PDF — is published for download. The parish encourages parishioners to register, sign up for ministries such as SPRED catechesis, or join the Young Adult Men's Fraternity.
- Parish Secretary: Mrs. Marge Marcello
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Online giving via the parish website
- Printable bulletin and registration forms available online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father David Brunelle1929–
First pastor; named by Bishop William A. Hickey at the parish's official founding on July 26, 1929.
- (Intermediate pastors, 1930s–1990)
A complete list of all previous pastors is preserved in the front hall of the church (not posted online).
- Rev. Norman BourdonJanuary 1991 – June 30, 2024
Appointed January 1991; retired June 30, 2024 after more than three decades; Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Michael J. McMahonJuly 1, 2024 – present
Appointed pastor July 1, 2024; previously pastor of St. Philip's in Greenville. Installed by Archbishop Richard G. Henning on Oct. 13, 2024.