06/10/2026
Friends,
As this school year quickly comes to a close, we give thanks to God for another year of blessings and successes at our parish & school. We have much to be grateful for and many reasons to be hopeful about the future.
This year has been marked by tremendous growth and renewed momentum. Through the generosity of so many benefactors, the Father Valdazo Scholarship Fund continues to provide vital support to families seeking a Catholic education for their children. We are also encouraged by the projected increase in enrollment for next year, with as many as 90 additional students expected to join our school community. These are clear signs that Catholic education remains alive and well here at Saint Joan of Arc.
We are equally grateful for the extraordinary success of our Walkathon, which raised a record-setting $35,000 to support programs and initiatives within our school. The generosity of our students, parents, faculty, and parishioners made this achievement possible.
Our work, however, is not yet complete. This summer we plan to continue making much-needed improvements to our school building, including new flooring and lighting on the third floor. We also hope to enhance both our library and STEM Lab so that our students can continue to receive the highest quality educational experience possible. I remain deeply grateful for the support that helps make these improvements a reality.
As we look ahead, we also recognize the changing needs of our parish community. We are thankful for the dedicated ministry and years of service of Father Paul Osei Fosu. Effective June 30, Father Paul will be reassigned to Holy Family–Saint Lawrence Parish in Canarsie, Brooklyn. While we do not yet know whether another priest will be assigned to replace him, this transition serves as an important reminder of our ongoing need to pray for and support vocations to the priesthood.
Our youth group also continues to work diligently toward their pilgrimage to Seoul, South Korea, for World Youth Day 2027. The young people participating are actively fundraising toward the significant cost of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am excited to accompany them on this journey of faith and look forward to witnessing the many ways this pilgrimage will strengthen their relationship with Christ and His Church.
As summer approaches, things will hopefully become a bit quieter while work begins on our school building and preparations are made for the coming academic year. I also encourage you to continue supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal. Our hope is that funds generated beyond our goal will help us move forward with the long-awaited renovation of our parish bathroom.
As always, I am deeply grateful for your collaboration, generosity, and prayers. Together we continue to build a vibrant parish and school community where good things are happening every day.
May God bless you and your families.
Fr Christopher R. Heanue
Pastor
