About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Hastings, Minnesota
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a Roman Catholic parish located in Hastings, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Established in 1987 through the merger of Guardian Angels (founded 1856) and St. Boniface (founded 1869/1870), the parish serves as the unified Catholic community of Hastings from its current home on West 15th Street, where a new church was built in the 1990s. The parish operates St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School (Preschool–Grade 8), runs perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and offers faith formation programs from early childhood through high school along with a wide range of adult formation and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1987
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Fr. Dave Hennen
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a vibrant Catholic community whose mission is to form joyful disciples who make Jesus Christ known and loved. The parish offers perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in its adoration chapel, daily and weekend Mass, regular Confession six days a week, and a full formation pathway from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (PreK–Grade 1) through high school Metanoia and adult formation including Evangelical Catholic cohorts and Divine Mercy Cenacles. Outreach runs through more than a dozen ministries, including a parish school (Preschool–Grade 8), and parishioners are welcomed into a wide variety of liturgical and service opportunities — a place for lifelong Catholics and newcomers alike.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM (St. Francis Room)
- Tuesday: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM (St. Francis Room)
- Thursday: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM (St. Francis Room)
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM (St. Francis Room)
- Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM (St. Francis Room)
- First Saturday of the Month: 8:30 AM (St. Francis Room)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is available in the adoration chapel (security system in place after sundown; email Tracy at [email protected] for the after-hours entry code)
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Catholic parish in Hastings, Minnesota, belonging to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Its stated mission is to form joyful disciples who make Jesus Christ known and loved, and its vision is to be a vibrant community that radiates Christ's love and hope to everyone it encounters. The parish sees itself as a place to encounter Christ through worship, service, and fellowship, welcoming both lifelong Catholics and those new to the faith.
- Mission: form joyful disciples who make Jesus Christ known and loved
- Vision: a vibrant community radiating Christ's love and hope
- Pastor: Fr. Dave Hennen
- Deacons include Rod Walker, Jared Brantner, and Denis Allaire
Parish History
Catholic life in Hastings stretches back to 1856 with the founding of Guardian Angels parish. A second parish, St. Boniface, was organized in 1869 by Rev. George Sherrer for the German-speaking community and formally established in 1870. For more than a century the two parishes served Hastings side by side, and in 1970 their schools merged into Hastings Parochial School. In 1987 the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis consolidated the two parishes into one, which took the name St. Elizabeth Ann Seton effective July 1, 1987.
- 1856 — Guardian Angels parish founded
- 1869–1870 — St. Boniface parish founded
- 1970 — Parish schools merged into Hastings Parochial School
- July 1, 1987 — Guardian Angels and St. Boniface unified as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Building the New Church
In the early 1990s, with the parish growing, planning began for a new, larger church. Walter and Rose Bauer donated 20 acres on West 15th Street in Hastings. Ground was broken on April 15, 1993, and the resulting 150,000-square-foot church building was dedicated on October 16, 1994, with Archbishop John Roach presiding at a Mass attended by roughly 1,000 people. A further addition was completed in 2006.
- 20 acres donated by Walter and Rose Bauer
- Groundbreaking: April 15, 1993
- Dedication: October 16, 1994 (Archbishop John Roach)
- Addition completed 2006
- 150,000-square-foot building
150th Anniversary of Catholic Hastings
On October 2, 2006, the parish marked the 150th anniversary of Catholic life in Hastings with a year of anniversary activities. Hastings resident and historian Richard Darsow subsequently wrote "A History of the Catholic Church in Hastings, Minnesota," drawing on parish photos and records collected by John Falteisek to tell the full story of both founding parishes, their priests, schools, religious, and the 1987 merger.
- 150th anniversary: October 2, 2006
- Book: 'A History of the Catholic Church in Hastings, Minnesota' by Richard Darsow
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full, age-graded formation pathway that the website describes as 'a clear path for lifelong faith.' Formation begins with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for PreK–Grade 1, continues with Family Faith Formation for elementary children (alongside Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion), Children's Liturgy of the Word at select Masses, Kairos middle-school ministry (Grades 6–8), and Metanoia high-school ministry (Grades 9–12). The parish emphasizes that parents are the primary educators of their children and that faith is formed at home, not just in the classroom.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (PreK–Grade 1)
- Family Faith Formation (monthly gatherings + at-home resources)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
- Sacramental Preparation (First Reconciliation, First Communion)
- Elementary formation (Grades 2–5)
- Kairos middle school (Grades 6–8)
- Metanoia high school (Grades 9–12)
Adult Faith Formation
Adults at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton can deepen their faith through several ongoing programs. The Evangelical Catholic (EC) program runs 12-week cohorts twice a year (January–March and September–November), training lay people to evangelize in their circles of influence. Divine Mercy Cenacles provide a small-group format for prayer and study, and there is also a Young Adult ministry. The parish invites newcomers and lifelong Catholics alike to explore the richness of the Catholic faith through these offerings.
- Evangelical Catholic (EC) training cohorts (Spring and Fall)
- Divine Mercy Cenacles
- Young Adult ministry
- Lifelong learning, prayer, and community
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School
The parish operates St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, an MNSAA-accredited Catholic school serving Preschool through Grade 8 with an 11:1 student–teacher ratio. According to the school website, the school partners with families to form disciples and scholars, cultivating minds and hearts through rigorous academics, vibrant faith, and a welcoming community. Fr. Dave Hennen serves on the school's leadership team alongside principal Ms. Mary Ingebrand. The school offers preschool, elementary, and middle-school programs, plus specialist programs and a BASE (before- and after-school) program.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Accredited by MNSAA
- 11:1 student–teacher ratio
- Principal: Ms. Mary Ingebrand
- Pastor on leadership team: Fr. Dave Hennen
Sacraments
Information on requesting the sacraments is available through the parish office. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is offered through the Family Faith Formation pathway, and a Wedding Coordinator is listed on staff for couples preparing for marriage. Mass intentions may be requested for loved ones, living or deceased. Reconciliation is available six days a week at the times listed above.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — Family Faith Formation
- Confirmation — preparation available
- Matrimony — Wedding Coordinator on staff
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
- Mass Intentions — request through the office
Parish Staff and Clergy
Fr. Dave Hennen serves as Pastor. Deacons include Rod Walker, Jared Brantner, and Denis Allaire. Lay staff include a Director of Liturgy & Music, Director of Apostolic Formation, Director of Evangelization, Middle School Youth Minister, CGS and Safe Environment Coordinator, Business Administrator, Parish Finance Manager, Communications Specialist / Administrative Assistant / Wedding Coordinator, and a Facilities Manager. Staff are reached through the parish office at 651-437-4254 with individual extensions.
- Pastor: Fr. Dave Hennen
- Deacon Rod Walker
- Deacon Jared Brantner
- Deacon Denis Allaire
- Director of Liturgy & Music (Ext. 230)
- Director of Apostolic Formation: Liam Riley (Ext. 225)
- Director of Evangelization (Ext. 237)
- Middle School Youth Minister: Shannon Rouston (Ext. 227)
- CGS and Safe Environment Coordinator: Jill Skaife (Ext. 246)
- Business Administrator: Laura Stierman (Ext. 222)
- Parish Finance Manager (Ext. 229)
- Communications Specialist / Admin Assistant / Wedding Coordinator: Kelly Hendrickson (Ext. 243)
Get Involved
The parish invites parishioners and newcomers to participate in liturgical ministries, music ministry, formation programs, youth ministry, and the more than a dozen outreach opportunities that flow from its mission of forming joyful disciples. Family Faith Formation explicitly relies on parents as the primary educators of their children, and adult formation offers structured pathways such as the Evangelical Catholic cohorts for anyone wanting to share their faith more intentionally.
- Liturgical ministries (Mass servers, lectors, EMHCs)
- Music ministry
- Youth and adult formation volunteering
- Evangelical Catholic cohorts
- Outreach and service ministries
Visit Us — Find Us
The parish campus is at 2035 15th Street West, Hastings, Minnesota 55033-9294, with the parish office reachable at 651-437-4254 (fax 651-438-2948). A Google Maps link is provided on the parish's 'Find Us' page. The website invites visitors to join for Mass, find a quiet moment of prayer, or explore ways to get involved.
- Address: 2035 15th Street West, Hastings, MN 55033-9294
- Phone: 651-437-4254
- Fax: 651-438-2948
- Map link available on the 'Find Us' page