REACHING OUT
Parish Ministries
About Ministries
All our ministries spring from the hearts and minds of the parish community, and all have been sustained by your generosity. We encourage parishioners to spend a couple of hours each month sharing their talents in gratitude for the gifts they have been given.
Sports
The St. Joan of Arc CYO basketball program is a youth ministry open to boys and girls, grades 3 through 8, regardless of religious affiliation. To learn about player and coach registration, costs, scheduling, and other program details, please check out our website at saintjoancyo.com.
The 2024 CYO Track & Field season began in early February and runs until early May. We offer a full range of Track (running) and Field (High Jump, Long Jump, Softball Throw, and Shot Put) events for Grades 3rd through 8th.
Parent information meeting dates, practice/track meet schedules, and information about our program are available on our website at www.sisjacyotrack.org.
Our program is in need of parent volunteers for coaching and leadership/administrative duties. If you are interested in assisting with coaching or being part of our leadership team, please contact sisjacyotrack@gmail.com. No prior track experience is necessary.
Becoming Christ for Others
The Peacemakers of St. Joan’s is a committed group of Christians who strive to live in and bring God’s peace, hope, and love to others through prayer, discernment, and action. As a community and as individuals, we strive to become the hands, feet, heart, and mind of Christ in our world. To accomplish this, we work on two different levels in balance with one another:
Our “inner work” is comprised of prayer, meditation and discernment regarding where the Holy Spirit is calling us to act. We see Christ as the ultimate model for our peacemaking efforts. We also recognize that the non-violent peace that we seek to share within our families, communities, and world must first begin within us.
Our “outer work” springs forth from the spiritual foundation of our “inner work.” In our efforts “To be Christ for others” (our St. Joan of Arc mission statement), we reach out to those living in darkness in our world. Whether it be in the areas of poverty, racism, homelessness, nuclear armaments, the climate crisis, and care for the Earth, we educate ourselves and others about the issues, pray and discern about our response, and then act to make a difference (via participation in advocacy campaigns, vigils and protests, educational workshops, interfaith gatherings, novenas, Food Bank support, visits with migrants at the border, etc.). We are a growing and evolving community of dedicated Peacemakers, endeavoring to be in alignment with the expansion of God’s life within us.
We currently meet weekly on Tuesday mornings, from 10 a.m. to noon, in Classroom 4, and we plan to offer an evening meeting each month going forward. We welcome new members with open hearts. For more information, please contact the St. Joan of Arc Peacemakers at sjapeacemakers@gmail.com
The mission of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County is to provide community-based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. With thousands of volunteers, they serve over 170,000 meals each year. According to the Contra Costa Times, they are one of the most cost-effective charitable organizations in the Bay Area and are second only to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties for efficiency. St. Joan of Arc volunteers serve at Martinez and Pittsburg soup kitchens and help prepare meals at Pittsburg Central Kitchen. We welcome new volunteers to serve with us. This is a great way to make a difference in our county, meet new friends in the parish, and bring Christ to others.
Contact: Angela Rivello Email: angelarivello@mac.com Phone: 925-828-2025
Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis, aware that service to our brother and sister in need is in fact, an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. The St. Joan of Arc Conference helps in caring for the physical needs of those in financial crisis within the parish and the larger community. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM.
Contact: Frank Wnuk Email: svdpstjoan@gmail.com
Support
Christian Family Movement (CFM) is a national network of small groups of Catholics and their families. Parents meet regularly in one another’s homes. Through the use of lessons that pertain to everyday life, and group discussions, Christian values are reinforced and families are encouraged to reach out in service to others. Time commitment each month is 3-6 hours for adult meetings and family socials.
Contact: Annette Altamirano
Email: annette_altamirano@yahoo.com
Phone: 925-206-0189
(By invitation of the Pastor)We are a visionary and advisory body that meets quarterly, The Finance Council’s mission is to make the finances of the parish transparent to all parishioners, ensure that the parish finances are sound, and put in place proper controls according to Diocesan policy and procedures. Time commitment is approximately 2 hours a month.
Contact: Ken Young
Email: parishoffice@sjasr.org
The St. Joan of Arc Giving Tree is an annual outreach ministry. It takes place between the first and third week of Advent. Our first meeting is in September. Jobs involve being a liaison for agencies, cutting out ornaments and stringing and labeling the ornaments. There is also the sorting of gifts and driving gifts to the agencies.
The Knights of Columbus is an international fraternal and service organization for Catholic men. The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.6 million members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families, and young people. Membership in the K of C is open to practicing Catholic men who are at least 18 years old.
Contact: Chris Auby Grand Knight
Email: Chris Auby
The mission of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County is to provide community-based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. With thousands of volunteers, they serve over 170,000 meals each year. According to the Contra Costa Times, they are one of the most cost-effective charitable organizations in the Bay Area and are second only to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties for efficiency. St. Joan of Arc volunteers serve at Martinez and Pittsburg soup kitchens and help prepare meals at Pittsburg Central Kitchen. We welcome new volunteers to serve with us. This is a great way to make a difference in our county, meet new friends in the parish and bring Christ to others.
Contact: Angela Rivello
Email: angelarivello@mac.com
Phone: 925-828-2025
We are a visionary and consultative body that meets monthly and is represented by 9 parishioners, a staff member, and our Pastor. The Council acts on behalf of our Pastor to garner/assess Parish feedback and collaborates in the creation of the strategic plan for the Parish. Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated for a vacant position. Those selected for that year by the Pastor begin their three-year term in June. For comments, please email Pastoral Council Leader Lisa Roberts.
Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis, aware that service to our brother and sister in need is in fact, an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ. The St. Joan of Arc Conference helps in caring for the physical needs of those in financial crisis within the parish and the larger community. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM.
Contact: Frank Wnuk
Email: svdpstjoan@gmail.com
Caring Circles (TM) for Dementia/Alzheimer's provides a safe space for sharing experiences, exchanging resources, and offering emotional support, and aims to enhance the quality of life for those caring for loved ones through understanding, empathy, and education. All are welcome! Groups are offered at both St. Joan of Arc and St. Isidore's in Danville.
The St Joan of Arc group meets in the Lower Conference Room twice a month on Fridays at 11a.m. (look for the Caring Circles banner) and at St. Isidore's Church in the Hospitality Room twice a month on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (across from school entrance). For questions please reach out to Wendy Thompson at WRuthT@aol.com
SAM gathers once a month for a BYOB (bring your own bag) lunch on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. in the church Conference Room. Includes ample time for fellowship, food, and discussion. For more information, please email Phyllis Stevens.
Teaching
Adult Faith Formation covers all adult education and faith formation programs. That includes Adult Confirmation, Alpha, Bible Study programs, Peacemakers, RCIA, Small Christian Communities, and various classes and workshops. For more information, check out the Adult Faith Formation page.
Contact: Mark Morelli
Email: mmorelli@sjasr.org
Phone: 925-830-0600
VBS is a program that takes place during summer vacation. It is usually the last full week in June. The program is geared to those going into Kindergarten through Grade Six. It is based on either the Old or New Testament with games, crafts, snacks, stories and music to fit the theme. Teens from Grade 7 to 12 serve as counselors and session leaders. Adults are needed to direct each area. The time commitment for teens is (2) two hour prep workshops, 4 hours of decorating the week prior and about 4 hours per day of the week of VBS. Adults time commitment is whatever time it takes them to prepare their sessions, plus the week of VBS and usually one time to work with teens at a workshop preparation.
Contact: Marie Pena
Email: mpena@sjasr.org
Phone: 925-830-4710
St. Joan’s Faith Formation program for children in grades K-5 and their families. SJAKids brings kids and parents together with other families to learn about our faith through Scripture, music, prayer, crafts, games and more! We do our best to make our beautiful Catholic faith engaging and fun for both kids and parents.
Contact: Mary Machi
Email: mmachi@sjasr.org
Phone 925-830-4710
Youth Ministry at St. Joan of Arc is a dynamic, exciting ministry that seeks to bring our teens into a deeper relationship with God and our Catholic community. We offer the following:
EDGE
Edge is our youth ministry for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It is a weekly youth group that meets Wednesday nights from 6:50-8:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Teen and adult group leaders facilitate discussion on the topic of the day, helping our 6th, 7th and 8th graders to make our faith their own. Adult and Teen volunteers are needed.
Contact: Gina Camp
Email: gcamp@sjasr.org
Phone: 925-830-4720
LIGHT
LIGHT welcomes all high school students! We meet Monday nights during the school year from 6:50-8:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Teen and Adult leaders engage teenagers in activities and discussions that deepen our understanding of ourselves and our faith. LIGHT also sponsors three-weekend retreats each year, which offer incredible opportunities to learn about faith and to experience it! Adult volunteers are needed.
Contact: Beverly Fung
Email: bfung@sjasr.org
Phone: 925-830-4710
Confirmation for Teens
The confirmation program is open to juniors and seniors in high-school who have completed the prerequisites, which include consistent attendance at two semesters of LIGHT, one parish retreat, and 20 hours of service. The Confirmation program includes attendance at the Confirmation retreat day and all small group sessions, as well as an evening of reflection.
Contact: Gina Camp
Email: gcamp@sjasr.org
Phone: 925-830-4720
SALT
The Student Action Leadership Team consists of high school students who meet regularly to plan LIGHT Nights, and are committed to serve the high school community through retreats, outreach, liturgy, service and socials. SALT members team with adult leaders to facilitate the small groups at LIGHT Nights.
Contact: Beverly Fung
Email: bfung@sjasr.org
Phone: 925-830-4710
Hospitality
This ministry provides loving assistance to parishioners who are planning a “Celebration of Life” for a loved one. If desired, we will provide assistance with the reception held in the multipurpose room. We will help with set up, greet guests, help with refreshment decisions, and supply all paper goods, coffee, punch, and cookies, if requested. Our goal is to be supportive of our parish family in a most difficult time. When this service is needed, which can be once a week, or maybe only once a month or less, the time commitment is 5 hours per reception.
Contact: Janet Williams
Email: parishoffice@sjasr.org
Phone: 925-830-0600 (Parish Office)