Deacon Arden was ordained on July 8, 2023 at St. Joseph's Basilica by Archbishop Richard W. Smith, alongside his two brothers in formation, Deacon Rene Mella (St Theresa's, Edmonton), and Deacon James Eidem (Sacred Heart Parish, Red Deer). 

Deacon Arden believes that the need for the Deacon in the Parish is greater now than ever before. Our society is changing dramatically after experiencing a worldwide pandemic which has left so many in the margins, experiencing hunger, broken relationships and homelessness. Our role as Deacons is one of service, not just in the Parish, but in the community serving those in need. 

Deacon Arden was born in Tisdale, Sk and lived in Nipawin, Sask until he was 18. He has 2 sisters, one older and one younger. Deacon Arden's dad owned the John Deere dealership in Nipawin and he spent many hours there as a partsman and learning how to take things apart... and doing his best to put them back together again :). When he wasn't at the dealership, he was found either on the ball diamond, in the curling rink or in the kitchen learning how to cook, a passion he still maintains to this day. These days he spends his days as the Business Coordinator at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Sherwood Park. When he is not there, you will find him in his own kitchen, or in the backyard cooking on his pizza oven!

Deacon Arden along with his wife, Jackie, and their sons, Tyler and Evan, have been involved with our parish as one of the original parish families, moving from our sister parish, St Theresa's, nearly 18 years ago. Deacon Arden brought his love of technology into our parish creating our first website in 2010 and has been updating it, as well as doing much of the scheduling of liturgical ministries for the first several years while we attended Mass in the schools.