Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Community

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Sister Parish Delegates | Presentation | August 30, 2026

09/01/2026

Fr. Cassidy's Homilies & Headlines | August 30, 2026

08/29/2026

14 SJAers from our Welcome the Stranger ministry traveled to Appleton, MN last week to join a protest with local residents who oppose the purchase of a local prison by ICE. The intent is to create a detention center to incarcerate 1600 people. This is not the future we want for our communities or our state. Thank you to those who are raising their voices in dissent.

08/24/2026

Fr. Cassidy's Homilies & Headlines | August 23, 2026

08/24/2026

In just 1 week tickets go on sale at 8 AM on August 30th for our fantastic 26-27 Concert Series. Get your season ticket now and select your seat for the entire series. You will enjoy The Beatles Abbey Road with Collective Unconscious — Winter “Soulstice”, featuring Jeff Engholm, Ann Michels, Nicole Wilder and Harley Wood — One the Corner of Broadway and Hollywood with Jennifer Grimm — Wild Angels with Pamela McNeill, Mary Jane Alm, Aimee Lee and end the season with The Best of Billy Joel and Elton John by Phil Thompson.

Go to stjoantickets.com NOW and select your seat.
Tickets for the whole series are just $175.

08/21/2026

Day 9, Marty Roddy, SJA

We woke up in our hotel in San Salvador to go to a Popular Mass at the church of St Francis of Assisi, staffed by Passionist priests. Yesterday was St Oscar Romero's birthday, so they had a festive weekend.

We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the service including a hymn to the tune of "Blowin' in the Wind." Members of our delegation carried the bread/wine/gifts to the altar.

After mass a former Sister of the Little Communities shared her stories of the community's history, including being the only church that did not close during the worst periods of repression in the 80's and how they would buy a piñata and a cake to disguise a community meeting as a party. Sometimes this was the only way you knew members were still alive. Just seeing each other gave them hope.

For lunch we spent over an hour at the largest park in San Salvador with a beautiful art gallery.

08/20/2026

Marty Roddy, Day 8, SJA

We woke today at the Pastoral Center of the Sisters of the Small Communities in a town called Nuevo Esperanza (New Hope). The sisters told us their history with the people here, including being refugees in Nicaragua during the war and coming to the Baja Lempe region and building a town from scratch.

Last night we were treated to a performance by Nuevo Herencia, a youth band from the town. The youngest was 11 years old.

We got to share some recreation time on the Pacific Ocean this afternoon as we started our journey back to San Salvador.

08/19/2026

J L Quarfoth, Day 7, SJA

Today we arrived at the agricultural community of Nueva Esperanza, which translates as New Hope. We are being hosted by three Religious sisters who explained how the community was founded by Salvadorian refugees on their return from Honduras.

While touring this community we were refreshed with frozen fruit treats called bolis. We also watched as a bicyclist herded some cattle to a new pasture.
(Pictures)

A highlight of the day was entertainment by the band Nueva Herencia (New Heritage) who shared their modern, energetic take on traditional music.

08/19/2026

Day 6, Meghan Grossman, SJA

Today we had to say goodbye to our host families after breakfast. Even though we only stayed a couple of nights, many of us felt like we had known each other for much longer. Many host families shared with us their experiences of surviving the war, refugee camps and returning to rebuild their communities. It was truly an encounter!

Before leaving our host community of Guarjila we visited their community health clinic and were so impressed with the focus on prevention and holistic care. Head nurse, Rosali, shared with us that the clinic serves people of 50 surrounding rural communities, they have a 0% mortality rate for their mothers and babies program and they even do home visits to promote health. The clinic carries on the legacy of the founders pictured in the clinic's mural, Sister Ana Manganaro, Jon Cortina SJ and Archbishop Oscar Romero.

After a long trip back to San Salvador, a trip filled with conversation, singing and laughing, we are now back in San Salvador. Tonight we met to discuss Sister Parish projects and other business, reflect on liberation theology and take inventory of the BEAUTIFUL crafts made by our sisters in Tierra Nueva II. Those crafts will travel back with us along with many cards, messages and hugs. We look forward to sharing them with you all at St. Joan of Arc when we get back.