About Mary, Mother of the Church · Burnsville, Minnesota
Mary, Mother of the Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Burnsville, Minnesota, in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Established on September 7, 1965 by Archbishop Leo Binz with Father Donald Burns as founding pastor, the parish has grown from 550 charter households to approximately 1,600 families served today. The community sits on 22 acres of former farmland and is guided by the simple mission to 'Live Jesus' — loving God, loving others, and making joyful disciples. Worship is offered in English, with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, daily Mass in the lower-level Chapel, and a robust schedule of Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, faith formation for all ages, and an extensive community outreach program serving the Burnsville and Twin Cities area.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
- Rector
- Fr. Jim Perkl
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Mary, Mother of the Church offers a deeply Eucharistic parish life centered on a mission to 'Live Jesus,' with daily Mass in the Chapel, two Sunday Masses (the 11:00 AM is livestreamed), and one of the more generous Eucharistic Adoration schedules in the area — including overnight Adoration on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A parishioner of any age can find a place here: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for young children, a Wednesday-night youth ministry for middle and high schoolers, OCIA for adults seeking full communion, plus adult formation through book studies, Bible study, Divine Mercy Cenacle, and small groups. Its outreach network — from Meals at Mary Mother and the parish food shelf to Loaves and Fishes, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Rosary Makers, Knights of Columbus Council #6374, and Military Support — gives practical ways to serve both the Burnsville neighborhood and the wider Twin Cities community.
Mass times at Mary, Mother of the Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:30 PM — near the Chapel on the Lower Level
- Saturday 9:00 AM — in the Reconciliation Room in the Church
Adoration times
- Monday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Chapel)
- Tuesday 10:00 AM – Midnight (Chapel)
- Wednesday Midnight – 5:30 PM (Chapel)
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Chapel, following 5:30 PM Mass)
- Thursday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Chapel)
- Friday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Chapel)
Our Story & Parish History
Mary, Mother of the Church was established on September 7, 1965 by Archbishop Leo Binz, with Father Donald Burns named founding pastor. The parish began with 550 charter households on twenty-two acres of former farmland in Burnsville. For its first three years, Mass was celebrated in the gymnasium of Cedar School in Eagan while religious activities were held at a former rectory on North River Hills Drive. In 1967 a Building and Finance Committee commissioned the architect for the new church and original Parish Center; the first Mass in the new church was celebrated on March 9, 1969 and formally dedicated by Archbishop Binz on May 18, 1969. The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in fall 2015 and today serves approximately 1,600 families.
- Established September 7, 1965 by Archbishop Leo Binz
- Founding pastor: Father Donald Burns
- First Mass in new church: March 9, 1969
- Formal dedication: May 18, 1969 by Archbishop Leo Binz
- 50th anniversary celebrated fall 2015
- Approximately 1,600 families currently served
Campus & Grounds
The parish sits on 22 acres of former farmland, twenty of which were once owned by parishioner Joe Kennelly. In 1966, thirty parishioners planted 900 evergreen trees along the southern border of the grounds; those trees remain a defining feature of the campus. The Parish Center was expanded in 1976, and an 18,000-square-foot addition was completed in November 1988 following a Long Range Planning study. Daily Mass is celebrated in the lower-level Chapel; weekend Masses and most sacraments are celebrated in the Main Sanctuary upstairs.
- 22-acre former-farmland campus
- 900 evergreen trees planted in 1966 by 30 parishioners
- 18,000-square-foot Parish Center addition completed November 1988
- Lower-level Chapel for daily Mass; Main Sanctuary for Sunday Masses
Clergy & Staff
Mary, Mother of the Church is led by Pastor Fr. Jim Perkl, assisted by Associate Pastor Fr. Robert (Bob) Barry, O.P. A team of lay staff directs faith formation, liturgy, music, pastoral care, communications, and operations. Pastoral Care is coordinated by Janet Gorshe; Children's Faith Formation by Cindy Monn; Youth Formation by Amy Schroeder; Liturgy by Tami Richardson; Music by David Jeske (Director), Doreen Bondy (Associate), and Angel Diehl (Assistant); and Parish Business Administration by Michael Wilde.
- Pastor: Fr. Jim Perkl
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Robert (Bob) Barry, O.P.
- Parish Ministry Director: Roxanne Tozier
- Pastoral Care Associate: Janet Gorshe
- Music Director: David Jeske
- Director of Children's Faith Formation: Cindy Monn
- Director of Youth Formation: Amy Schroeder
- Parish Business Administrator: Michael Wilde
- Communications Coordinator: Katie Salai
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Mary Mother offers formation for every age. Children ages 3 through Grade 5 learn through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a hands-on Montessori-style method in a specially prepared 'atrium' environment. Sacramental preparation covers First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Youth in middle and high school meet Wednesday evenings 6:30–8:00 PM for small groups, retreats, and prayer. Adult formation includes Book Studies, a Friday Morning Bible Study, the Divine Mercy Cenacle, and Small Group Ministry.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3 – Grade 5): Level I (Age 3–K), Level II (Grades 1–3), Level III (Grades 4–5)
- Children's sessions: Sundays 9:30–11:00 AM, Wednesdays 4:30–6:00 PM and 6:30–8:00 PM
- Youth Ministry (Grades 6–12): Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM, September–May
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during Sunday Mass, Advent through Lent
- Sacramental Prep: First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Adult formation: Book Studies, Divine Mercy Cenacle, Friday Morning Bible Study, Small Groups
Community Outreach & Service
Community Outreach at Mary Mother is described by the parish as its intentional effort to connect with and serve the wider community beyond the parish walls. Its network spans hunger relief, family support, dignified-life initiatives, and global rosary-making. The parish partners with Risen Savior Mission in the Philippines to help feed children, and supports Loaves and Fishes at Peace House Community in Minneapolis.
- Meals at Mary Mother — 3rd & 4th Thursdays, 5:00–6:00 PM
- Emergency Food Shelf (by appointment)
- Diaper Ministry and Crib Ministry (Archdiocesan-supported)
- Loaves and Fishes at Peace House Community, Minneapolis
- Military Support — care packages to deployed service members
- Panera Bread Day-End Dough-Nation Program (Tuesday mornings)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — second Monday, 4:00–5:00 PM
- Rosary Makers Ministry — second Saturday, September–May, 9:00–11:00 AM
- Mary Mother's Baby Shower (October, Dignity of Life)
- Community Thanksgiving Baskets (November)
- Mary Mother's Advent Giving Tree (December)
Pastoral Care & Support Ministries
Pastoral Care at Mary Mother is built around relationships of empathy and belonging. Trained pastoral care ministers bring the Eucharist to the homebound, visit local senior living communities, support caregivers and the bereaved, and serve as Stephen Ministers for those facing life's difficult challenges.
- Health Care Ministries — Eucharistic visits to Ebenezer Ridges, Eagan Pointe Senior Living, Care Free Living, Emerald Crest, and The Rivers
- Homebound Ministries — visits to homes and Fairview Ridges Hospital
- Stephen Ministry — one-on-one trained lay caring
- Care Giver Support Group
- Grief Support
- Widow and Widowers Support
- Growing Through Loss — Interdenominational South Suburban Grief Support Coalition
Knights of Columbus Council #6374
Mary Mother hosts Knights of Columbus Council #6374, part of the international Catholic fraternal Order founded by Fr. Michael McGivney. The local council supports many aspects of parish life and the wider community.
- Council #6374 meets at Mary, Mother of the Church
- Affiliated with the international Knights of Columbus (kofc.org)
Sacraments
Mary Mother prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation through coordinated parish programs. OCIA (formerly RCIA) welcomes unbaptized adults and Christians from other traditions seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation for children covers First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.
- Baptism (parish preparation)
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation (youth and adult)
- Marriage (contact parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick and pastoral visits for the homebound/hospitalized
- OCIA for adults seeking full communion
Liturgy & Music
Liturgy at Mary Mother is supported by Liturgy Coordinator Tami Richardson and a three-person music team led by Music Director David Jeske, with Doreen Bondy as Associate Music Director and Angel Diehl as Music Assistant. The 11:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed for parishioners who cannot attend in person.
- Liturgy Coordinator: Tami Richardson
- Music Director: David Jeske
- Associate Music Director: Doreen Bondy
- Music Assistant: Angel Diehl
- 11:00 AM Sunday Mass livestreamed
Patronal Identity: Mary, Mother of the Church
The parish takes its name from a Marian title newly embedded in the universal liturgical calendar. In 2018, Pope Francis inscribed the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church into the General Roman Calendar, to be celebrated each year on the Monday after Pentecost — making the parish's patroness a feast shared by Catholics worldwide.
- Patroness: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
- Feast established by Pope Francis in 2018
- Feast observed the Monday after Pentecost
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Donald Burns1965 (founding)
Named the founding pastor by Archbishop Leo Binz when the parish was established on September 7, 1965.
- Fr. Jim Perklpresent
Current pastor; leads the parish alongside Associate Pastor Fr. Bob Barry, O.P.