About Ss. Joachim and Anne (Shakopee Area Catholic School) · Shakopee, Minnesota
Ss. Joachim and Anne (SJA) is a Roman Catholic parish in Shakopee, Minnesota, in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. It is a merged parish formed in 2012 from three historic Shakopee congregations — St. Mary (the receiving parish), St. Mark, and St. Mary of the Purification (Marystown) — each of which celebrated the Eucharist on its own campus. The parish also operates Shakopee Area Catholic School (SACS), which was originally established in 1970 as a consolidation of the three parish schools and is now the parish school of SJA. Worship is offered in English and Spanish, and the parish is currently pastored by Father Michael Becker.
- Established
- 2012
- Patron
- Sts. Joachim and Anne (parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Becker
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
Sts. Joachim and Anne offers something few parishes can: three historic church campuses — the Gothic St. Mark, the Irish-and-French-built St. Mary, and the National Register-listed Marystown stone church — all within one faith family. The parish runs a thriving PreK–8 Catholic school (Shakopee Area Catholic School) with a music program, a Wednesday-evening Family Formation catechetical model for K–6, a two-year Confirmation program beginning in 7th grade, a Spanish Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration in the St. Mary chapel, and active men's and women's small groups grounded in praise, worship, teaching, and intercessory prayer. For Catholics in Shakopee and the surrounding Scott County area, it is a parish that takes seriously both its 19th-century roots and the work of forming families and encountering the Holy Spirit today.
Mass times at Ss. Joachim and Anne (Shakopee Area Catholic School)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30–8:50 AM — St. Mary of the Purification (Marystown)
- Sunday 11:45 AM–12:20 PM — St. Mark (English / Spanish)
- Saturday 8:30–9:30 AM — St. Mary
- Saturday 3:30–4:45 PM — St. Mark
Adoration times
- Monday 4:00 AM–11:59 PM — St. Mary chapel
- Tuesday 12:00 AM–10:00 PM — St. Mary chapel
- Wednesday 4:00 AM–11:00 PM — St. Mary chapel
- Thursday 4:00 AM–11:00 PM — St. Mary chapel
- Friday 8:30 AM–10:00 PM — St. Mary chapel
Our Story: Three Historic Parishes, One Family of Faith
Sts. Joachim and Anne was formed on July 1, 2012, when St. Mary, St. Mark, and St. Mary of the Purification (Marystown) merged under the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis' Strategic Plan, with St. Mary as the receiving parish. Each of the three predecessor congregations traced its roots to the mid-19th century Catholic settlement of Shakopee and the surrounding countryside. They had already shared ministerial staff, Shakopee Area Catholic School, a cemetery association (since 1971), and a single parish bulletin before formally merging. Today the merged parish continues to celebrate Mass on all three historic campuses while sharing one pastor, one staff, and one faith community.
- 1855 — Benedictine Father George Keller founds St. Mary of the Purification (Marystown) with 30 families
- 1865 — St. Mary built by Irish and French Catholics
- 1866–1868 — Main body of St. Mark constructed in German Gothic style
- 1879 — 163-foot St. Mark tower completed; 1890 — four bells installed
- 1882 — Present Marystown stone church completed; spire finished 1883
- 1970 — Shakopee Area Catholic School formed by consolidating the three parish schools
- 2003 — New SACS school building completed
- 2005 — Major electrical fire guts the interior of St. Mark; church restored
- 2011 — Three parishes formally cluster
- 2012 — Merger into Sts. Joachim and Anne
- 2013 — Shakopee Area Catholic School officially becomes the parish school of SJA
St. Mark Catholic Church Campus
St. Mark, completed in 1868 and located at 350 Atwood Street South, is described by the parish as 'one of the finest examples of German Gothic Architecture in the Northwest.' The magnificent 163-foot tower was completed in 1879 and four harmonizing bells were installed in it in 1890. The Gothic high altar, side altars, and confessionals were designed and made from butternut wood by local craftsman Francis Xavier Hirscher and his family during the 1890s — their largest and most beautiful work, according to the parish. In August 2005, a massive electrical fire blazed throughout the interior; more than 150 firefighters from Shakopee and surrounding cities responded, and the church was renovated from the inside out. Everything except the stained glass windows and pews was replaced. The altars, painted white in the 1910s, were completely dismantled, carefully stripped, and restored to their original glory during an award-winning 1976 sanctuary renovation by Frank Kazmarcek, reconfigured according to Vatican II liturgical guidelines.
- Address: 350 Atwood St S, Shakopee, MN 55379
- German Gothic Architecture, designed for 600 people
- Butternut-wood altars and confessionals by Francis Xavier Hirscher (1890s)
- Stained glass and pews survived the 2005 fire; everything else replaced
- 1976 award-winning interior renovation by Frank Kazmarcek
St. Mary Catholic Church Campus
St. Mary was built in 1865 by dedicated Irish and French Catholics. The Archdiocese describes it as an intimate church, and today it serves as the home of the parish's Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Located at 535 Lewis Street South, it is the receiving-parish church under the 2012 merger and hosts one of the parish's daily Masses, the Wednesday school-year 7:00 AM Mass, the Wednesday 8:00 AM Mass during the summer, and Saturday morning Reconciliation.
- Address: 535 Lewis St S, Shakopee, MN 55379
- Home of the parish Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (non-perpetual, Mon–Fri)
- Receiving parish of the 2012 merger
Marystown Catholic Church Campus (St. Mary of the Purification)
Commonly called Marystown, St. Mary of the Purification was founded in 1855 by Benedictine Father George Keller along with 30 families. Nestled among the evergreens south of Shakopee, the church has been destroyed by fire three times and rebuilt each time — the present stone church dates to 1882 and its spire to 1883. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 17, 1980. Stained glass windows were renovated in 1991 and a new Parish Center was finished and dedicated that same year. A later renovation brought a bright new interior and a beautiful stained-glass window depicting the crucifixion behind the altar. The 30-acre grounds once housed a mission, a school, the nuns' house, and the rectory (which still stands), and today host the parish's annual JACS JAM festival each August on the weekend of the third Sunday.
- Address: 15850 Marystown Rd, Shakopee, MN 55379
- About 4 miles south of Highway 169 on Marystown Road / County Highway 15
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (April 17, 1980)
- Host site of the annual JACS JAM parish festival (August)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Sts. Joachim and Anne uses a Family Formation catechetical model that places parents at the center of teaching children to know, understand, and live their Catholic faith. Classes meet September through April on Wednesday evenings at Shakopee Area Catholic School and serve students in kindergarten through Confirmation preparation, with Confirmation itself as a two-year program beginning in 7th grade. Tuition is $150 for the first child and $50 for each additional child (with later-pricing tiers and volunteer discounts available), and financial assistance is offered so that no family is turned away. Adult Faith Formation is offered through Catholicism 101 and other offerings. The parish runs a summer VBS / PreK camp and year-round youth events for middle and high schoolers.
- Director of Catechesis & Evangelization: Cathy Wideman (English & Español)
- Faith Formation Coordinator (Grades K–Confirmation): Ellie Groothausen
- Faith Formation Administrative Assistant: Diana Tyree
- SACS Confirmation Coordinator: Joan Fering
- Family Formation K–6 catechetical model
- Two-year Confirmation program beginning in 7th grade
- Adult Faith Formation / Catholicism 101
- VBS / PreK Summer Camp
Shakopee Area Catholic School (SACS)
Shakopee Area Catholic School is the parish school of Sts. Joachim and Anne. It was originally established in 1970 as a consolidation of the three parish Catholic schools in Shakopee, with a new school building completed in 2003. In 2013 it officially became the parish school of the merged Sts. Joachim and Anne. The SACS office is located inside the school building at 2700 17th Avenue East, and the school's chapel hosts a Wednesday 8:00 AM Mass during the school year. Lynn Hradnansky serves as the school's music specialist and helps lead praise and worship at the parish's monthly women's small group gatherings.
- Address: 2700 17th Ave E, Shakopee, MN 55379
- Phone: (952) 445-3387
- Established 1970 (new building 2003); became SJA's parish school in 2013
- Hosts the SACS Chapel Wednesday school-year Mass
- Music specialist Lynn Hradnansky
Small Groups & Parish Spiritual Life
Sts. Joachim and Anne has built a vibrant small-group ministry that meets in St. Mark's social center. The women's group gathers the second Monday of each month, beginning as a large group of about two dozen for praise and worship (with Lynn Hradnansky at the piano) and a presentation, then breaking into smaller discussion circles. The men's group follows a parallel rhythm on the first Monday of each month. Each gathering weaves in praise, a teaching element, personal sharing, and intercessory prayer; participants write prayer intentions on notecards at the close of each meeting, mix them up, and each take one home to pray for during the month. Father Michael Becker and Deacon Joel Neisen help lead the men's group; Cathy Wideman helps lead the women's group. The model is consistent with PECS and the charismatic vision Father Becker carries into his role as the Archdiocese's Vicar for Charisms, including the Fire on the Hill prayer and praise events at the Cathedral of St. Paul.
- Women's Small Group — 2nd Monday, St. Mark
- Men's Small Group — 1st Monday, St. Mark
- Praise & worship, teaching, sharing, intercessory prayer
- Intercessory prayer-card ministry at each meeting
- Fire on the Hill archdiocesan prayer and praise initiative led by Father Becker
Parish Staff & Clergy
The pastoral team is led by Father Michael Becker (Pastor) and Father Frankie Floeder (Parochial Vicar), assisted by Deacons Joel Neisen and M. Daly. Parish office staff includes J. Bennett, C. Diethelm, V. Kremer, C. Roesch, D. Robran, C. Benz, K. Beckman, L. Huppert, and S. Melo. Faith Formation and Youth Ministry staff include Cathy Wideman (Director of Catechesis & Evangelization), Ellie Groothausen (Faith Formation Coordinator K–Confirmation), Diana Tyree (Faith Formation Administrative Assistant), and Joan Fering (SACS Confirmation Coordinator). Shakopee Area Catholic School office contacts are N. Giel, M. Holmes, and V. Pritchard (phone 952-445-3387). After-hours sacramental emergencies are routed through the main parish line at (952) 445-1319, press the pound (#) key.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael Becker
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Frankie Floeder
- Deacons: Joel Neisen, M. Daly
- Faith Formation: Cathy Wideman, Ellie Groothausen, Diana Tyree, Joan Fering
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8 AM–4 PM (closed most national holidays)
Sacraments, Devotions, and Outreach
Beyond Mass, Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration, the parish supports a Marriage Ministry and a Family and Youth ministry, a Vocations effort, and Discipleship and Life & Human Dignity outreach. Confession is offered in both English and Spanish on Sunday mornings at St. Mark, and the St. Mary chapel hosts extended periods of Eucharistic Adoration throughout the week. Sacramental emergencies outside office hours are handled through the after-hours line at (952) 445-1319 (press #).
- Marriage Ministry
- Family and Youth Ministry
- Vocations
- Discipleship
- Life & Human Dignity
- Bilingual Reconciliation (English / Spanish) at St. Mark
Getting Involved: JACS JAM and Parish Festivals
Each August, on the weekend of the third Sunday, the parish gathers at the Marystown church grounds for JACS JAM, the annual parish festival held among the evergreens of the historic 30-acre campus. The festival is a long-standing community tradition that connects today's merged parish with the rural roots of St. Mary of the Purification. The parish also offers ongoing volunteer opportunities in Faith Formation (teachers, childcare helpers, hall monitors, hospitality helpers, and substitutes), all of which come with a tuition discount.
- JACS JAM annual festival at Marystown, August (weekend of the 3rd Sunday)
- Faith Formation volunteer roles with tuition discounts
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Becker
Current pastor of Sts. Joachim and Anne; also serves as Vicar for Charisms for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and leads the Fire on the Hill prayer and praise events.