What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.

Dreams really can come true. That is if you stick with them and let them take you where they want to go. Most of all, you have to believe in them, no matter how much others might tell you they're crazy and will never work.

A case in point is the St. Joan's Memorial Garden for members’ cremated ashes. It all started when Marlys Weber(right) got the idea that after being at St. Joan's for more than 27 years she didn't want to leave, ever. After all, this is her spiritual home and leaving it in death just wasn't an option. Why not, she wondered, have a memorial garden of our own where those of us who treasure this place could stay close forever.

Now, after 3 years, innumerable meetings, many discussions, and a 52 page document laying out details of the plan for the Archdiocese's consideration, this wild dream is coming to fruition. We hope to break ground for our very own memorial garden on the North side of the church sometime in early September. The Garden will be beautiful, and a fitting memorial to those who have loved and supported this church and who want to stay and be a part of this community into eternity.

The pavers chosen for the garden

Every detail of the Garden has been researched and weighed for its function and form and finally agreed upon by the Garden Committee which has been meeting faithfully every Tuesday afternoon since the end of last year. Long before that, a committee consisting of some of the present committee, several clerics representing the Archdiocese along with the head of the Archdiocesan Cemetery Association who met for many months to craft the final document that was sent to the Archbishop for his approval, which came in early April, some 9 months later. 

For those of you who remember when cremation was not allowed in the Catholic Church, rest assured that is no longer the case. That prohibition has its own history which was appropriate at the time, but no longer applies. This comes from our Church law and diocesan expert, so not to worry.

You can check out the plans which will be posted in the front lobby of the church for the next few Sundays.  

In the mail you will receive a brochure detailing the steps you can take to sign up for burial in this manner should you choose to do so. One of the goals of the committee is to cut the exorbitant costs of burial today. We believe we have done that. Should you want to kick start the initial expenses of building the Garden, you may prepay and reserve a spot for yourself with your name and birth year engraved into the North side of the church for $400. The Monies collected in this way will go directly into building the garden and readying it for its first inhabitants. 

We on the committee are proud of this project and glad to have been let in on a dream-come-true that will be around for many, many years. We would welcome your comments, whatever they may be, especially after reading our brochure with more detailed plans. You may direct your comments to or e-mail to peichen@stjoan.com.

Jo Welch-Youngren worked with Harvey Egan in the early days of St. Joan of Arc. At that time she, Cy and Joan Speltz, Nancy Anderson, Darlene Arbuckle, Ferry Deslauriers, and John McGowan made up the staff. We all pitched in and did everything that needed doing and had a ball every day. Jo’s first husband, Jack Welch, was buried from St. Joan’s in 1980. Later she married Dave Youngren, moved to New Mexico, then returned to her roots. Now she and Dave sit on the left side center at the 9:00 o’clock Mass on Sundays and love every minute of it. Jo can be reached at joandave@ties2.net.

Current members of the Garden committee are:  Fr. Jim DeBruycker, Pete Eichten, Pat Greene, Jim Shoeller, Marlys Weber, and Jo Youngren, with invaluable help from Edie Kalweit and Joan Riebel. Don Hall, Steve Boyle and Mary Eve Thomas were also very active members during the first phase of the planning. Charles Collins gave his gratuitous legal advice.