Register by July 4 for St. Joan of Arc centennial weekend of events

Criterion staff report

For 100 years, St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis has been serving Catholics and the community of its near-northeast neighborhood.

To mark this major milestone, the parish will host a series of events on July 16-18. All events require pre-registration at cutt.ly/SJOA100, and the deadline to register is July 4.

The events during the three days include a cocktail party, golf outing, Mass, dinner, picnic and pool party; early registration is recommended.

The celebratory weekend begins with an adults-only cocktail party in the parish school’s parking lot, 500 E. 42nd St., in Indianapolis, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on July 16. The cost is $35 per person, which includes heavy hors d’oeuveres catered by Jazz Kitchen, student-led school tours, a parish memorabilia table, an alumni table and a school marketing table. A cash bar will be available, and commemorative T-shirts will be sold.

Three events will take place on July 17, starting with a golf outing at Coffin Golf Club, 2401 Cold Spring Road, in Indianapolis. Those playing 18 holes—$59 per person—will start at 9:30 a.m., with check-in at 9 a.m. Those playing nine holes—$39 per person—will start at 11 a.m., with check-in at 10:30 a.m. The cost includes a golf cart and prizes. The Coffin Golf Club will provide a beer cart and driver for adult beverage purchases. Prizes will be awarded at the clubhouse around 1:30 p.m. Lunch can also be purchased at the clubhouse.

Mass with current and past St. Joan of Arc pastors will be celebrated at the church, 4217 Central Ave., in Indianapolis, at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required by July 4 for the Mass, and since seating is limited to 480 due to construction, early registration is recommended.

A dinner in the school parking lot will be held after Mass from 6:45-9 p.m. The meal will be catered Jug’s and will include fried chicken, penne marinara, green beans, potatoes au gratin, pasta salad, fried biscuits and apple butter, cake and lemonade. With tables and chairs under a large tent, the event will take place rain or shine.

On July 18, a parish picnic and pool party will be held at the Northside Events and Social Club (formerly known as the Northside Knights of Columbus), 2100 E. 71st St., from noon-5 p.m. The main course will be supplied by the St. Joan of Arc Men’s Club. Those whose last name begins with A-L are asked to bring a side dish, and those whose last name begins with M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. A cash bar will also be available in the lounge. Bring folding chairs and a blanket, as the number of tables will be limited. The Knights of Columbus are donating the cost of admission to the pool, so the event is free. However, freewill donations will be accepted.

For more information on these events, go to cutt.ly/SJOA100.

Karen Blackwell Smith, a fourth-generation parishioner and chair of the Centennial Celebration weekend events, encourages parishioners, alumni and friends of the parish to attend the Centennial Mass in the newly restored church and to participate in the other events planned for the weekend.

“Our Centennial is a milestone in our parish that acknowledges our rich history and Christ’s presence among us,” said Blackwell Smith. “We are looking back with pride and thanksgiving for the foresight of our predecessors, we are celebrating the present and we are asking for God’s blessing as we build a bright and faith-filled future.” †