Long-awaited construction project kicks off at St. Joan of Arc

ABERDEEN – A project that’s been years in the making began to come to life Oct. 19 when Archbishop William E. Lori and other dignitaries broke ground on a $6.5 million parish life center and chapel for St. Joan of Arc Parish and School in Harford County.

The 14,500-square-foot parish life center will serve as a hub for the surrounding community while doubling as space for school offices. The main multipurpose room will act as a gym and recess area for the school, and allow for expanded activities such as organized team sports. A 1,200-square-foot chapel will be added to the main church across from the school. 

“This is the day the Lord has made,” Archbishop Lori said, addressing more than 300 people who gathered on a brisk fall morning for the celebration. “It’s also a day when we give thanks for the gift and blessings of Catholic education, rooted in the person of Christ.”

The archbishop, who sprinkled holy water on the site, said St. Joan of Arc School is academically excellent, helping to develop mind, body and spirit. Many laughed as the school bell sounded as the archbishop was concluding his remarks.

“I must be going on too long,” Archbishop Lori said with a smile.

Father William F. Franken, pastor of St. Joan of Arc, thanked parishioners and school families for their support of the project. The parish is using $2.6 million from a trust to help pay for the effort and supporters have pledged $950,000 toward a capital campaign, exceeding its $800,000 goal. The parish is also relying on an archdiocesan loan and funding from grants and appeal revenue. 

“Our theme is ‘Building for the Future,’ and that’s what we are celebrating today,” Father Franken said. “The addition of a chapel to our church will enable us to celebrate the sacraments and pray in an appropriate worship space – eucharistic adoration, daily Mass and the rosary, individual and communal prayer. The building of the parish life center will serve in our youth ministry efforts and building together a parish community to evangelize.”

Dianne Kestler, first-year principal of St. Joan of Arc School, thanked retired principal Ginger Bahr for her role in helping the dream become a reality. She also acknowledged the leadership of the pastor and former principal Tracey Tokarski, who died suddenly in 2021 not long after her appointment as principal following Bahr’s retirement.

“St. Joan of Arc is a community grounded in faith and focused on the future,” Kestler said. “Our future will include a new parish life center that we will be able to use for school gatherings, P.E. classes and sporting events.”

The new space will also add two pre-K classrooms and office space, she said, allowing for a full-time nurse’s station in the school.

Joan Lozinak, a parishioner of St. Joan of Arc for nearly 60 years, was pleased that work on the project has begun. 

“Catholic schools have to exist,” she said. “We teach truth. It’s so necessary in the world today that Christ is being taught. This is a new beginning.”

Others attending the celebration included Deacon Ray Van Pelt; Father Francis Ouma, pastor of St. Patrick Church, Havre de Grace; James B. Sellinger, retired chancellor of education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Department of Catholic Schools; and Aberdeen Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley.

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