MISSION
St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church
is a Christian and multicultural community where all are welcome. As members of the larger community, we strive to meet the spiritual needs of all through the sacraments, religious education, and worship.
Bring your family to the Lord, Pray with your family, and pray for all families.
STAFF DIRECTORY
Pastor
Rev. Heliodoro Lucatero
210-661-5277 Ext. 107
heliodoro.lucatero@archsa.org
Deacons
Victor Cepero 210-632-5233
Valentin Lucero 210-725-6535
Filimon Reyes 210-632-4172
Todd Dapilmoto (Ret.) 210-661-4582
Roberto L. Galan, Jr. (Ret.) 210-661-2610
Parish Staff
Secretary:
Bookkeeper: Evelyn Sotelo
DRE: Azalia C. Reyes
Custodians: Norma Ruiz and Gilberto Ruiz
Office Hours:
M-F, 9am - 5 pm
HISTORY
Formation of this St. Joan of Arc Faith Community began in 1965 with planning meetings for creation of the parish and purchase of land for a worship site. Three tracts of land were studied by a committee of Leroy Muehlstein, Michael Krefrovich, Manny Solis, Jerry Lehman and Robert Wolff. After several minutes a census was taken, two hundred fifty Catholic families were counted and a twenty acre site was purchased from the Ackermann Family.
St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church was officially established as a parish by Archbishop Francis J. Furey, Archbishop of san Antonio on December 9, 1971. A multi-purpose building was dedicated and blessed on November 14, 1973 by Archbishop Furey. A parish council, the council of Catholic Women and a Men’s club was established in the spring of 1972 in administering the parish. In 1981, eighteen acres of land and a farmhouse adjacent to the parish property was given to the Archdiocese of San Antonio for the use of the parish in the Last Will and Testament of Mrs. Louise K. Ackermann.
In 1982, a private residence next to the parish was purchased for use as a rectory. As the years passed it became obvious that the current site had been outgrown. Plans were developed for a new church and buildings were developed, in June 1984 an additional ten acres was purchased on Ackermann Road, so on April 28, 1985 ground breaking ceremonies and a “Field Mass” were held by Bishop Bernard Popp and Reverend Thomas O’Callaghan.
On November 3, 1986, Rev. Leslie A. Vance was transferred to St. Joan of Arc, along with assignments of Deacon Joseph B. Kopecky on May 3rd, 1989-1997; Deacon John Buchanan 1982-2018; Deacon Frank O’rouke (1982-1990); Deacon Robert L. Galan (1993-present), Deacon John Huttinger 1995-1998; Deacon Joseph Nash (1996-2002); Deacon Gilbert Rivera 1998-2021; Deacon Todd Dapilmoto 2007-present; Deacon Victor Cepero 2018-present; Deacon Valentin Lucero 2022-present, and Deacon Filimon Reyes 2023-present.
Throughout these years many occasions were observed as Msgr. Thomas O’Callaghan passed away on August 13, 1995 and a Baptismal Fond was dedicated to this memory on the twenty-fifth anniversary on December 8, 1996. Reverend Leslie Vance celebrated his twentieth anniversary of ordination on March 26, 1996. The St. Joan of Arc parish celebrated its 25th anniversary on December 6, 1996 with Auxiliary Bishop John W. Yanta and con celebrant Msgr. Les Vance, (Pastor 11-3-86 to 5-31-98). On January 19, 1997 a tombstone in memory of those who lost their lives due to abortions (Roe vs Wade decision) was dedicated by Rev Vance. Rev. Samuel Heitkamp served as Pastor from 6-1-98 to 5-31-2007.
As the parish moved into the 21st century Rev. Jose Puente served as pastor from 6-1-2009 to 6-30-2014, and Rev. Michael E. Peinemann served as pastor from 7-1-2014 to 7-2-2018. Rev. Heliodoro Lucatero has served as our Pastor since 7-2-2018.
Currently the Knights of Columbus #10181, Pastoral Council, the Council of Catholic Women, Guadalupanas, Familias Unidas, Familias Rosario, ACTS Retreat Groups, Grupo Matrimonial de St. Joan of Arc, along with the young adults, youth ministry, Cristo Joven, ten different choir groups, quilters, and along with large Religious Education enrollments are moving the parish forward. St. Joan of Arc will continue to move forward as our faith community grown, with group/parishioner cooperation, and total multicultural collaboration in meeting our ambitious goals as we continue on our physical and spiritual journey of life.