Remembering Fr. John Arnold

On June 18, 2026, Reverend John Arnold passed away. He was 70 years old. Father Arnold spent 28 years as a Catholic priest, most recently as pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Oro Valley. 

Fr. Arnold was born and raised in Tucson, and his Catholic roots ran deep. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and Salpointe Catholic High School, then earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University in Washington. For years, he practiced law in Tucson until the priesthood called him. He completed a Master of Divinity at Sacred Heart School of Theology and, just days after turning 42, was ordained on June 6, 1998, by Bishop Manuel Moreno. Father Arnold later earned a Licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America in 2005.

Over the years, Fr. Arnold served parishes across southern Arizona: as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma; administrator of St. John Neumann Parish; pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Tucson; pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Casa Grande; and pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish from 2014 until his death. He also served the diocese in key leadership roles, including Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, and member of the College of Consultors and Priest Personnel Board.

When word of his passing spread on Facebook, so did the memories.

"Father John was instrumental in my husband's conversion to the Catholic Church and baptized our son just four years ago," wrote Elyse Brock.

"Father Arnold was one of a kind, and his sermons were memorable," wrote Chris Niehus. "He's the reason we chose to be part of St. Mark." 

Jennifer Shirey shared that Fr. Arnold had given her father his last anointing just two weeks before his own death. 

Father Arnold was instrumental in streamlining diocesan communications. He helped develop the website and social media accounts and encouraged churches to install livestream services for Masses to ensure the faithful remained connected to the Church during COVID-19. During his time at St. Mark the Evangelist, Father Arnold also produced a regular podcast. 

An attorney who became a pastor. A scholar who frequently delivered memorable homilies that moved the faithful. Fr. Arnold was a trusted confessor and, for more than a few, the priest who brought them into the Church. 

The diocese remembered Fr. Arnold as "a true evangelist, opening people's hearts to Christ." His love for the faithful lives on in the people he served. 

Please keep Fr. Arnold's family, friends, brother priests, and the parish communities he served in your prayers. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.